NHL All-Stars sad to miss Olympics, but happy to be in Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Most of the world’s best hockey players are spending this weekend in opulent hotel suites in one of the planet’s top party towns instead of being confined to modest Olympic accommodations in freezing-cold Beijing.

The NHL All-Stars still aren’t happy about missing their chance to compete for gold medals, but nobody was complaining Friday morning about the consolation prize of a sunny weekend in Vegas.

“It’s disappointing, because you realize you never know when you’re going to get an opportunity to go to the Olympics,” said Pittsburgh left wing Jake Guentzel, a probable member of the U.S. team. “It’s something you dream about, and it’s disappointing that it didn’t happen. But it’s not too bad to be in Vegas. This is a great spot to have it, and I know a lot of guys are excited.”

With the skills competition Friday night and the game Saturday, the NHL’s top talents are set to light up the Strip in a city that has become a vital part of the hockey landscape in less than five years.

The league had to skip its All-Star festivities last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. They’re back in full force this week at T-Mobile Arena, which will be packed with its usual menagerie of Nevada’s rabid hockey fans.

But the All-Stars can’t help feeling bittersweet about the weekend when they see footage of the Olympics on television, or when they see their countrymen at All-Star events.

“Yeah, it’s a disappointment,” said Nashville captain Roman Josi, who was headed to his second Olympics after playing for Switzerland in Sochi. “It was an amazing experience in 2014, and I think it’s something every athlete wants to do. I wish we could have found a way to play in the Olympics.”

Josi will watch the Swiss team in Beijing