NHL’s Concerns Over Olympic Ice Safety
The NHL is keeping a close watch on the safety of the ice for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly recently spoke with reporters in Colorado about ongoing issues with the Olympic Ice Hockey Rink, which is supposed to be ready in just two months.
Daly reassured NHL owners that he doesn’t view the problems as “insurmountable.” However, there’s definitely pressure, given the tight schedule between the rink’s completion and the start of the men’s tournament. He made it quite clear that if players don’t feel safe, they simply won’t play.
The timeline for finishing the main hockey venue has experienced some significant delays. As it stands, it’s set to be completed by February 2nd, just three days before the women’s and men’s competitions begin. This timing naturally raises questions about whether the rink will actually be ready, not to mention the quality of the ice itself.
There’s also a further complication: two of Milan’s ice rinks are going to be about three feet smaller than what’s typically seen in the NHL. This goes against terms that were agreed upon back in July by the IIHF, NHL, and NHLPA. A standard NHL rink measures 200 feet by 85 feet, whereas these will be 196.85 feet by 85.3 feet.
Still, Daly mentioned that both the league and the players’ association are not overly worried. They are currently collaborating to address the issue but don’t see it as a significant health, safety, or competitive concern at this time.
However, with the NHL gearing up to participate in Olympic hockey for the first time since 2014, the unforeseen delays and safety uncertainties surrounding the arena have added a layer of complications.
The NHL had previously opted out of Olympic participation since the Sochi Games. Yet, now they are actively involved in the development of the venues. They’ve suggested that host sites use ice experts and outside providers to bolster efforts.
Daly expressed a cautious optimism, believing the NHL’s engagement could lead to positive outcomes. He noted that there are no plans to relocate Olympic hockey unless the conditions improve significantly. “So that’s the situation,” he concluded. “Once faced with reality, you have to think about your next steps.”
