Erik Karlsson makes a final decision about the Olympics

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T. Tadi
December 15, 2021 (5:35 PM)

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San Jose Sharks defenceman Erik Karlsson tell reporters he won't be attending the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.

"Most of the issues are public knowledge. If that's the way it's going to be, I don't see it being very feasible for guys to take that risk. That's my personal opinion," Karlsson said according to Sheng Peng of SJ Hockey Now.

"Me, having a family, I can't take that risk. There's a lot of other people that probably feel the same way even though I haven't talked to too many guys."

He hasn't totally committed, but Karlsson wouldn't be the first Swedish player to essentially opt out. Last week, Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner revealed he will not be attending the Olympics due to the possibility of quarantine in China. Chinese law requires a three-to-five-week quarantine period, which Lehner announced.

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