Igor Larionov

© Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS, archive

MOSCOW, April 3. /Offset. TASS Dmitry Rachitsky/. The refusal of the National hockey League (NHL) to release players to the Olympics in 2018 is a big disappointment, because of this, hockey fans lose interest in the Games in Pyeongchang, and the tournament will lose meaning. TASS said the two-time Olympic champion, three-time Stanley Cup winner Igor Larionov.

On Monday, the NHL announced that it will suspend regular championship for the period of the Olympic games, which players the League will not take part in the Games.

“For ordinary fans, the Olympics is losing interest, the competition turns into group B. it Turns out that they will play lovers. Because the strongest players are in the NHL. The Olympics is meaningless,” – said Larionov.

“It’s a disappointment for our country, because we grew up on the Olympic games,” he said.

“It has played a role of financial and economic issues for the League. Let’s hope a compromise is found, the time for dialogue is always there,” said Larionov.

Larionov represents the interests of 23-year-old striker “St. Louis” nail Yakupov. On the question of leave forward for NHL participation in the Olympics, Larionov said: “Every player wants to play for the national team, but he needs to take care of his family. He has a contract, he gets him a lot of money, this is part of the Union, players in this issue can’t be blamed”.