The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing (Feb. 4-20) are fast approaching. It will mark the first time the NHL will allow players to compete for their countries in the Games since 2014.
COVID-19 could still derail those plans. On Monday, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported the NHL has until Jan. 10 to opt out without suffering financial consequences. She indicated that could happen if there was a significant disruption that meant the league couldn't complete its 2021-22 regular-season schedule on time.
A handful of Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders games have been rescheduled since mid-November.