The Tuesday news briefing: An at-a-glance survey of some top stories
Highlights from the news file for Tuesday, April 4
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OVECHKIN SAYS HE’LL STILL ATTEND 2018 OLYMPICS: The NHL may not be going to the 2018 Olympics, but Russian star Alex Ovechkin still plans to be there competing for his very first medal. Ovechkin reiterated his long-held stance Tuesday that he’ll attend the Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, whether the NHL decides to go or not. Whether it actually gets to that point remains a matter of some uncertainty despite the NHL’s contention Monday that it considers the matter “officially closed.” Ovechkin and other prominent players like Montreal goaltender Carey Price wondered if the league was simply bluffing, hoping to coax a better deal for Olympic participation. The NHL ownership class has been increasingly resistant to players attending a sixth consecutive Games, unconvinced of the big-picture impact of a Games in South Korea and unwilling to disrupt their season for it. Ovechkin has the support of Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, but it’s possible that the NHL could come up with a rule to prevent players from leaving — one the NHLPA would likely fight.
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