BHN Puck Links: No NHL At Olympics, Mediocre Bruins, World Cup

It’s official now, Boston Bruins forwards Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak, as well as defenseman Charlie McAvoy, will not be going to the Winter Olympics.

The NHL will not be sending players to participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics in February in Beijing, China.

The NHL and the NHLPA made joint announcements on Wednesday and for a second straight Winter Games, there will be no best-on-best for the Men’s hockey tournament

While the players understood the decision amidst a major COVID outbreak around the NHL recently, there appears to be some internal strife within the NHLPA with one NHL agent saying some players feel the players didn’t do all they could to assure a trip to Beijing. 

There was tons of reaction to the players not going to the Olympics again and National Hockey Now has you covered on that and all the other NHL news on Wednesday. 

Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy is realizing that the Bruins are Atlantic Division favorites anymore and his team is likely headed for a battle to come out of the Wild Card pack to make the playoffs. (BHN)

Thankfully, no Boston Bruins in COVID protocol have had serious symptoms thus far. (BHN)

I recently talked about the COVID outbreak in the NHL, postponed games, some NHL trade rumors, and of course the Boston Bruins. Would another NHL team still try to pry goalie Tuukka Rask away before, as expected, he signs with the Bruins?

National Hockey Now

The Islanders are another team that’s been hit by COVID again and Stefen Rosner gives an update on the Isles in COVID protocol and those injured. (NYI Hockey Now)

Could this be it for the longtime core of the Pittsburgh Penguins? (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The Washington Capitals are the latest team that will now require fans to be vaccinated in order to attend Caps games. (Washington Hockey Now)

George Richards answers all your Florida Panthers questions in the holiday mail bag. (Florida Hockey Now)

The Red Wings will have two of their top prospects playing for Hockey Canada at the World Junior Championships that begin on Sunday in Edmonton. (Detroit Hockey Now)

Can the Colorado Avalanche fit in all their postponed games during what would have been the Olympic break in February? (Colorado Hockey Now)

Owen Krepps provides 40 things for Vegas Golden Knights fans to keep busy over the holiday break? (Vegas Hockey Now)

Anti-vaxxer and current San Jose Barracuda forward Evander Kane is having COVID symptoms. Count me as not feeling the least bit bad for the malcontent Kane. (San Jose Hockey Now)

Some potential Team USA and Vancouver Canucks players expressed their disappointment in NHLers not going to Beijing. (Vancouver Hockey Now)

That disappointment was also shared by potential Olympians on the Calgary Flames. (Calgary Hockey Now)

Montreal Canadiens prospect Kaiden Guhle is part of the Hockey Canada leadership group at the World Junior’s. (Montreal Hockey Now)

NHL

With no best-on-best tournament at the Olympics again, will the NHL and NHLPA get together and have another World Cup soon? (Sportsnet)

It’s crazy to think how stacked the Canadian team would’ve been at the Olympics if NHLers went. Imagine Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid on the same line? (TSN)

What’s your favorite Christmas movie? The Penguins gave theirs recently.

What’s the best Christmas movie? 🎄 pic.twitter.com/j8YeOutcAk

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 21, 2021

Awesome prank by former Boston University defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk during the filming of the players’ holiday greeting video for the fans!

Our Ducks got quite the surprise when they were asked to do "holiday messages." 😂 #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/RLuydzDNaa

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 21, 2021

Finally, here’s another great Christmas tune! My favorite version of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town by Brrruuuuuucccccceee!