Czech government: Russian players unwelcome for upcoming NHL games

The Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks may be without some players when they travel for regular-season NHL games held at the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic, on Oct. 7 and 8. 

Karel Janicek and Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reported Thursday that the Czech Foreign Ministry informed the NHL that Russian players on the Predators and Sharks are not welcome to enter the country for next month's games due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine that continues to cause widespread outrage throughout the world. 

"We can confirm that the Czech Foreign Ministry has sent a letter to the NHL to point out that, at this moment, the Czech Republic or any other state in the (visa free) Schengen zone should not issue visas to the Russian players to enter our territory," Deputy Foreign Minister Martin Smolek said in a statement shared by the AP. 

Austin Nivison of CBS Sports notes that rosters for the upcoming contests aren't yet finalized. Nashville forward Yakov Trenin and San Jose forwards Alexander Barabanov and Evgeny Svechnikov are the three players who most likely will be impacted by the Czech government's declaration.

Per the AP/ESPN, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the AP he has "no concern" about players traveling for or participating in the games. Neither the Czech Foreign Ministry nor the NHL has said if the league has responded to the ministry's letter. 

The Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets are scheduled to play games in Tampere, Finland, on Nov. 4-5. Finland's policy on allowing Russian NHL players to participate in those matchups is unknown at this time.