The Winter Olympics are exciting for many reasons, with the biggest being that it represents the pinnacle of international ice hockey.
The 2022 women's tournament, which begins February 3, is slated to showcase as much talent as it ever has. Team USA, in particular, will be led by household names such as Hilary Knight, Amanda Kessel and Brianna Decker.
NHLers will not be traveling to Beijing, though, once again leaving the tournament without the world's top men's players.
There's no getting around what a massive buzzkill it presents, but that doesn't leave the tournament without intrigue.