"After the completion of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, there was much uncertainty around the future of NHL players in the Olympics for a variety of reasons. With the Winter Olympics taking place in February, the NHL was forced to put a stoppage on their season for weeks due to their athletes participating in the Games. In return, the NHL received nothing but publicity of their athletes."
"Additionally, there was uproar in Sochi, when infamous Islanders centerman John Tavares tore his MCL and meniscus in a preliminary game against the Latvians, which caused Tavares to miss the remainder of the Islanders season. There were obvious issues with logistics for the NHL's involvement in Olympic Games. In years leading up to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman bartered with the IIHF to allow the NHL to receive a portion of revenue in the Games."
After the 2014 Sochi Games, NHL players' Olympic participation became uncertain due to season stoppages, lack of revenue from the IIHF, and high-profile injuries. John Tavares suffered MCL and meniscus tears in a preliminary game, causing him to miss the rest of the Islanders season and raising logistical concerns. Negotiations before the 2018 PyeongChang Games failed when the IIHF refused revenue sharing, prompting the NHL to withdraw. COVID-19 disruptions during the 2021-22 season prevented a planned return. Twelve years after Sochi, NHL players returned to the Olympics at Milan 2026, with Islanders forwards Bo Horvat and Ondrej Palat both competing. Horvat represented Canada and Palat represented the Czech Republic; they faced each other in the opening games.
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