Brad Marchand on NHL Backing out of 2022 Olympics: 'Tell Me That's Not Bulls--t'
December 28, 2021
Brad Marchand is not happy with the NHL's decision to withhold its players from the 2022 Winter Olympics.
The Boston Bruins forward called it "bulls--t" on Twitter:
It wasn't the only comments Marchand has made on the matter:
Conor Ryan @ConorRyan_93Brad Marchand is very disappointed about the NHL's ruling on the Olympics:<br><br>"I know at the end of the day, they don't care about the Olympics, they don't make money on it. And that's ultimately what this is — it's a business. And we're an asset." <a href="https://t.co/zuNDTeZZNm">pic.twitter.com/zuNDTeZZNm</a>
The NHL temporarily halted the season last week through Dec. 28 and said it would use the Olympic break (Feb. 6-22) to help make up the games it has already had to postpone this season.
"Given the profound disruption to the NHL's regular-season schedule caused by recent COVID-related events ... Olympic participation is no longer feasible," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement last week.
NHL Public Relations @PR_NHLThe <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLPA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHLPA</a> agree to temporary changes to CBA, including reintroduction of taxi squads; three additional games postponed.<br> <br>Full Details: <a href="https://t.co/A2XIXRM2yX">https://t.co/A2XIXRM2yX</a> <a href="https://t.co/hcUzfPJEhh">pic.twitter.com/hcUzfPJEhh</a>
NHLPA executive director Don Fehr added in a statement:
"Until very recently, we seemed to be on a clear path to go to Beijing. COVID-19 has unfortunately intervened, forcing dozens of games to be postponed this month alone. No matter how much we wish it were not the case, we need to utilize the Olympic period to reschedule these games.
"Certainly, the players and hockey fans are quite disappointed. But playing a full 82-game season this year, something the pandemic has prevented us from doing since the 2018-19 season, is very important. We expect that NHL players will return to the Olympics in 2026.”
Marchand wasn't alone in being unhappy with the league and NHLPA's decision. His teammate, Patrice Bergeron, was also hoping to compete at one last Olympics:
"The whole thing is so disappointing," Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid added while speaking to reporters over the weekend. "It's hard to really put into words what I think a lot of guys are feeling, especially the guys that haven't gotten to go before. Now, we're missing it for the second time in a row. We can't dwell on it."