The NHL and NHLPA on Friday announced a tentative agreement with the International Ice Hockey Federation n Friday that allows NHL players to participate in the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
The agreement allows the NHL/NHLPA to later withdraw from the decision if they determine that evolving COVID conditions make player participation impractical or unsafe.
The NHL's regular-season schedule includes an extended break after the All-Star Game, Feb. 7 through Feb. 22, to accommodate the Olympics. In the event that NHL or the NHLPA decides to withdraw and not participate in the Olympics, the schedule will be revised.
Players who participate are expected to be subject to strict protocols, per this internal memo from the NHLPA's executive director Don Fehr.