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Ryan S. Clark
Turning 30 can lead to introspection. This is also applicable to athletes. It can lead them to reflect on their journey while considering how much longer they can continue to compete.
That’s the position of Nikita Zadorov, a defenseman for the Boston Bruins. With 13 NHL seasons under his belt, he has established himself as a top-four defenseman and has accumulated numerous experiences over his career.
However, one opportunity that has eluded him is the chance to represent his country, Russia, at the Olympics. He is beginning to question whether it will ever happen.
«[NHL players] have not participated in the last three Olympics. We were hopeful for this year, but I suppose it’s not happening, and that’s difficult,» Zadorov stated. «On the other hand, I see their perspective, right? You understand what I mean? The war is ongoing and there are sanctions in place.»
Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko remarked, «And undoubtedly we would have loved to participate in the Olympics. Russia would have had an amazing team because our lineup would have been impressive.»
THE RUSSIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE is still suspended by the International Olympic Committee following sanctions that state Russia breached the Olympic Charter by invading Ukraine in 2022. This has resulted in a limited number of individual Russian and Belarusian athletes being allowed to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris under a neutral flag.
The International Ice Hockey Federation, which oversees international men’s and women’s hockey, continues to prohibit Russia and Belarus, asserting in February 2025 that it «does not yet find it safe to reintegrate» both countries.
This is precisely why Russia will not be sending a men’s hockey team to the Olympics, amidst a complicated discussion that has unfolded over the past four years.
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Sports are inherently competitive. This competitiveness made the absence of NHL players in the men’s hockey tournament through 12 years and three Olympic cycles feel lacking. While the Olympics still showcased leading nations that established themselves globally, it also meant those countries were not fielding their highest caliber talent.
This led to increasing demands from fans and players about the necessity for genuine best-on-best international competition in men’s hockey. The other major international tournament — the IIHF Men’s World Championships — coincides with the Stanley Cup playoffs, causing many players to choose to start their offseason instead of delaying it to represent their country, while others are still pursuing the Cup.
The NHL and NHLPA reached an agreement for players to return to the Olympics, followed by the launch of the 4 Nations Face-Off 2025 and the relaunch of the World Cup of Hockey. This allows for a schedule that facilitates more frequent best-on-best international tournaments (aside from the world championships).
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Bettman discusses the success of the 4 Nations tournament with McAfee
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman appears on «The Pat McAfee Show» to elaborate on the success of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States competed in the 4 Nations Face-Off, serving as a precursor to the Olympics. This generated increased excitement for Olympic hockey over the past year, leading to inquiries about roster formation and potential winners.
It has also sparked discussions regarding Russia, its withdrawal, and the potential impact of excluding one of the sport’s most successful nations.
«If the NHL had organized its own tournament as it did last February and invited Russia to participate, telling us, ‘You can play, but no flag or anthem,’ I would estimate 99% of league players would agree. Sure,» Zadorov explained. «Ultimately, we know who we are. We are Russians. We understand our roots. Our anthem is something we can sing in the [dressing] room.
«However, we want to engage in best-on-best matchups. You want to demonstrate it to the globe when given the chance.»
Zadorov acknowledged that there could be Russian players whose circumstances might bar them from participating under his suggestion for the 4 Nations.
«But I believe most of the players I know would have done it without question,» Zadorov stated.
Zadorov mentioned that he had heard of concerns from other countries regarding a Russian team at the 4 Nations. However, he also conversed with players from various nations who expressed their desire to compete against a Russian team.
PLAYERS INTERVIEWED FOR THIS STORY recognized the complicated situation beyond their control that is preventing them from joining their NHL teammates in Italy.
«It’s politics and sports,» said Dmitry Orlov, defenseman for the San Jose Sharks. «I can’t comment much on it, you know? It simply is what it is. It’s not our choice. So we just accept it as it is and continue on.
«We are fortunate to still be playing in the NHL, and that’s significant. We enjoy our careers and just try not to overthink. We hope the next Olympics provide us with a chance to compete.»
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As the country sought a new identity following the U.S.S.R., increasing numbers of Russian players made their way to the NHL, now with greater liberty to live and play in North America.
Orlov was just 7 when Russia initially participated in the Olympics in 1994 solely with domestic players and then included NHL players in the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan. That team, featuring stars like captain Pavel Bure, Sergei Fedorov, Sergei Gonchar, and Alexei Yashin, finished in second place.
As a teenager, Orlov was talented enough to represent Russia, taking part 35 times in junior competitions and 31 times on the senior stage. He has celebrated a world junior championship and a world championship. Furthermore, the Stanley Cup he won in 2018 with the Washington Capitals was captained by arguably the greatest Russian player of all time, Alex Ovechkin, who leads the NHL in all-time goals.
Yet, Orlov has never had the chance to compete in the Olympics.
«Growing up, we watched the Russian national team,» Orlov recalled. «It was always enjoyable. You would compete with each other back home when you were younger. Now, competing against each other [in the NHL] and then joining the same team, speaking the same language, you recognize how everyone talks about the pride of having the entire country supporting you.
«As a child, that was how you perceived it. It’s disheartening that we’re unable to compete.»
ADDITIONAL FRUSTRATIONS for Russian players missing the Olympics stem from their belief that their team could have contended for a medal — possibly even the nation’s second gold medal since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The team labeled «Olympic Athletes from Russia» clinched gold in 2018 while the Russian Olympic Committee was under a ban due to a doping controversy.
ESPN recently speculated on what a potential roster for a Russian men’s Olympic hockey team might look like if they were headed to Milan Cortina. Marchenko was part of a forward group including Kirill Kaprizov, Nikita Kucherov, Evgeni Malkin, Artemi Panarin, and Ovechkin.
Seeing his name on the roster brought a smile to Marchenko, who added he should have been on the second line instead of Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (rather than the third line). Orlov and Zadorov were among a defensive roster that also featured Vladislav Gavrikov, Ivan Provorov, and Mikhail Sergachev.
Additionally, there would have been a goaltending quandary for Russia, knowing they needed to select from Sergei Bobrovsky, Igor Shesterkin, Ilya Sorokin, and Andrei Vasilevskiy for their three roster spots.
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«Clearly, we would have assembled a fantastic team with the all-time leading goal scorer,» Sergachev stated regarding a potential Russian Olympic roster. «We would also have had the best goaltenders in the league. Bobrovsky is excellent and likely a Hall of Famer. Shesterkin is the same. Sorokin. They offer so much. I hold them all in high regard. However, to me, Vasy is something special.
«We’d boast a remarkable team. It would be enjoyable to reunite. But it’s challenging to articulate.»
Sergachev discussed all the reasons why he believes Russia would have excelled at the Olympics while also expressing that this could be fans’ last chance to witness players like Bobrovsky, Malkin, and Ovechkin at the Olympics.
Bobrovsky was on the Russian Olympic team in 2014, while both Malkin and Ovechkin are three-time Olympians who have achieved world championships but never an Olympic medal.
«It’s disheartening … but that’s the reality,» Sergachev remarked. «You can’t dwell on it or think about it excessively now. We have [NHL] games occurring daily. There’s still a lot of political matters to resolve. Personally, I don’t think about it much. However, it would be incredible if [a return] transpired.»
Dmitry Kulikov and Vladimir Tarasenko, along with Panarin, Gavrikov, Kucherov, Nichushkin, Shesterkin, Sorokin, and Zadorov.
«Kuch has been present at the World Cup [of Hockey], yet he has yet to compete in the Olympics,» Zadorov mentioned regarding the Tampa Bay Lightning winger and two-time Ted Lindsay Award recipient. «He is likely to be considered one of the best Russian players ever when he hangs up his skates. He is part of that discussion. Panarin, too, is aging.»
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Zadorov noted he will be 34 when the next Olympic cycle arrives, recognizing that his age, among other factors, may result in being overlooked. The massive defenseman has been candid about critiquing Russian President Vladimir Putin and his policies.
In 2019, Zadorov participated in an interview with The Athletic where he expressed opposition to Russia’s internet legislation and advocated that «genuine patriots should voice their opinions.» In 2023, he engaged in a conversation with Russian YouTuber Yury Dud, where he voiced his opposition to the war in Ukraine, stating, «I apologize. Instead of nurturing the next generation, we sent them to perish.»
Zadorov has also previously indicated he likely would not return to Russia until Putin is no longer in power or «that regime persists.»
«Due to my political viewpoints and the current political climate, I’m uncertain if I would have qualified for this team,» Zadorov remarked. «Because when I articulate my thoughts, I tend to stir quite a reaction online.»
EVEN WITH THE CIRCUMSTANCES hindering their participation, there will be Russian players who will pay attention to the happenings at the Olympics.
«I adore hockey, and it’s best-on-best,» Sergachev noted. «Clearly, Russia is absent, but it’s still best-on-best. I still want to witness Sidney Crosby compete against Auston Matthews or [Connor] McDavid and [Jack] Hughes. You yearn to watch them. You want to gain insight regarding the Olympic experience.»
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Sergachev mentioned he felt similarly about the 4 Nations Face-Off, wanting to watch due to the tournament still featuring the world’s top players and viewing it as a chance to learn even more about them.
Marchenko shared a similar opinion, stating he also tuned in for the 4 Nations and plans to watch some of the Olympics because of his love for hockey — using it as an opportunity to observe and learn from the game being played at the highest level.
He admitted he won’t catch every game. The aim is to «vacation somewhere» with a nearby rink so he can maintain his workouts and stay sharp while finding time to unplug before the season resumes.
There is one team he might monitor more closely than others, though.
«I want to support Zach Werenski and watch all his games,» Marchenko highlighted about his Blue Jackets teammate. «He’s one of my friends and he’ll be competing.»
