If you look ahead to the Winnipeg Jets schedule for the upcoming 2021-2022 season, you would notice a big three-week gap from February 2 through the 22nd. The reason for the gap is because the 2022 Winter Olympics will be taking place in Beijing, China.
There is still no update on if NHL players will be allowed to participate in the tournament and players’ availability to represent their countries has been a burning question around the league since players were not allowed to participate in the 2018 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Larry Brooks of the New York Post has first reported the significant news that the NHLPA “‘strongly advises’ players not to participate in Olympic Qualifying events.”
2. PA has presented IIHF with cost to of insurance but has been told international federations will not pay. So at this point, PA “strongly advises” players not to participate in Olympic qualifying events. Talks are ongoing.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) August 12, 2021
The latest Olympic hockey news has an impact on Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets
There are twelve countries competing for three spots at the Olympic qualifiers, which are set to take place at the end of the month.
One of the countries looking to earn a bid to the Olympics is Denmark, which is the home country of Jets’ dynamic forward, Nikolaj Ehlers.
Before this news, there was no update on whether Ehlers would be representing Denmark at the qualifiers in Oslo, Norway, but with the news, it does not look likely that Ehlers will be there.
Besides Ehlers, Denmark also has some other high-profile NHL players that are eligible to represent them including Frans Nielsen, Frederik Andersen, Lars Eller, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Patrick Russell, Nick Sorensen, and Nicklas Jensen. Adding these players to their roster could strengthen Denmark’s roster substantially and help them in their efforts in obtaining an Olympic bid.
Denmark, who is coached by Nikolaj Ehler’s dad, Heinz Ehlers, is set to play a round-robin against Norway, South Korea, and Slovenia.
Whichever team finishes group play with the most points out of the four teams will advance to the Olympics, while the other three teams will be eliminated from contention.
Denmark will open up the competition against Slovenia on August 26 and then they will matchup against South Korea a day later on August 27. Finally, they will finish round-robin play with a must-watch game against Norway on August 29.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: If no NHL players participate in the Olympic qualifiers, which country do you think is going to win Denmark’s group? Leave your comments below!