TAMPA, Fla. — Over the past two decades, the N.H.L.’s best players have been participants in the Winter Olympics. But this year, they will have a new role when the Olympic men’s hockey tournament begins Feb. 14: fans.
Citing injury concerns, costs and what it called a lack of tangible benefit, the N.H.L. decided not to schedule its customary three-week Olympic break or loan its clubs’ players for the Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
For many players at last weekend’s All-Star festivities here, the disappointment over being unable to participate has lingered, and it is only starting to give way to a mix of national pride, curiosity and support of friends.