They became eligible for the Winter Games in 1992, but the NHL has allowed its athletes to go to the Olympics only three previous times: in 1998,2002,and 2006.

VOA: standard.2010.01.12

Nash, the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft by the Blue Jackets in 2002, has 13 goals and 30 points in his first 31 games with New York.

WSJ: Rangers deal slumping star Gaborik to Blue Jackets

The game featured three No. 1 overall NHL draft picks: Hamrlik (1992 Tampa Bay), Nash (2002 Columbus) and Tavares (2009 Islanders).

WSJ: Nash, Gaborik rally Rangers past Islanders 2-1

Going so far to suggest that, aside from when the US plays Canada in the Gold Medal game of an Olympics contested in North America (Salt Lake 2002 and Vancouver 2010), it may not be worth the logistical hassles for NHL players to play in the Olympics.

FORBES: International Growth Emphasized at MIT Sloan Sports Conference Opening Address