Ottawa postponements have enabled the NHL to withdraw from the Olympics if they so choose

When the NHL had reached an agreement with the IOC, the IIHF and the NHLPA regarding NHL participation in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, there was a clause in the agreement that would allow the NHL to opt out. On Monday, that ability to opt out was triggered.

The provision in the agreement was centered around COVID-19 and whether or not the NHL would have to postpone and reschedule games due to any potential outbreaks. Obviously, with the Ottawa Senators having postponed a trio of games on Monday, there is some concern over further postponements during the season - and the NHL may need to use the break it had scheduled for the Olympics to play the postponed games in order to ensure that the full 82-game season is preserved.

While it's unlikely that 3 games would cause the NHL to exercise its right to withdraw from the Olympics, the threat of further postponements due to COVID-19 could complicate things and force the NHL's hand.

«If we have to either cancel games or if we have to postpone and reschedule games outside our normal window, that would mean we will not participate in the Olympics. I think our priority has to be completing our 82-game season in the normal course, and not necessarily the Olympics. I think the Players' Association recognizes that. So there is that trigger,» said Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly back in September.

It's still too early to tell what may happen, but one thing is for certain. If players wish to participate in the Olympics, they certainly better follow all COVID-19 protocols to avoid any further disruptions to the NHL schedule.

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