Pittsburgh Penguins

NHL, players actively discussing Olympic hockey participation as league halts cross-border games

The Pittsburgh Penguins watch their 2016 Stanley Cup Championship banner being raised to the rafters before the game against Washington Capitals at PPG Paints Arena on October 13, 2016 in Pittsburgh. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH — Officials from the NHL and the Players Association are still “actively discussion the matter of NHL Player participation in the 2022 Winter Olympics” according to a news release issued Sunday.

The release said due to “continued uncertainty” surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of the Omicron variant, both parties hope to “announce a final determination in the coming days.”

Additionally, the league said effective Monday, all games involving a Canadian-based team playing a U.S.-based team will be postponed and rescheduled through Dec. 23. This move doesn’t affect any Penguins games.

>>>>RELATED: NHL announces additional COVID-19 protocols ahead of new year

All of this comes after the league unveiled new COVID-19 protocols for teams that will begin starting Jan. 1. The changes include players are no longer allowed to go out to eat while on the road and are subject to testing every day with the exception of days off.

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