There's no doubt NHL players want to participate in the 2018 Olympics in South Korea.
"Everyone wants to go to the Olympics," said Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, who'd likely be on Sweden's roster.
But the players' union wasn't willing to sacrifice three more years of negotiating rights on the next collective bargaining agreement in order to go. The NHL's latest offer of allowing players' participation in the Olympics for pushing the CBA's out clause to 2023 was rejected this week.
"It was pretty unanimous around the league," said wing Alex Killorn, the Lightning's union rep. "For guys to represent their country is a huge thing, and I think the NHL likes to use that as a negotiating tactic.