Report: NHL directs teams not to talk Olympic participation with players

The NHL is reportedly taking preemptive action to discourage its clubs from discussing individual Olympic participation with their players.

The league has directed teams not to talk to the players about the possibility of playing in the 2018 Games, and the NHL will rule later on the matter, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

He added that the players aren't so sure the Olympic saga is over.

The NHL announced Monday that it will not officially participate in next year's Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Prior to Monday's statement from the league, several players, most notably including Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, expressed a desire to play in the Olympics regardless of whether the NHL took part.