Fantasy hockey experts Jason Chen and Michael Amato wonder when it’s time to panic when certain NHL players underperform, such as Alex Ovechkin. Many players across the NHL put Pride Tape on their sticks during warmups for Pride night games over the past few seasons. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNDAxMjkzODI5MzE4NjI5/usatsi_20391644_168400847_lowres.jpg] Many players across the NHL put Pride Tape on their sticks during warmups for Pride night games over the past few seasons. Update: The NHL released a statement saying players now have the option to "voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season." The original story follows. The NHL's ban on Pride Tape lasted two weeks into the season. Following backlash from fans, players and team staff alike, the league walked back its decision by agreeing with the NHLPA and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition that players can represent social causes with stick tape throughout the season in games and practices. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman [https://x.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1716851544061055242?s=20] first reported the news, and The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun [https://x.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1716857839396749526?s=20] reported a league official confirmed the rumblings. LeBrun's colleague Chris Johnston also reported [https://x.com/reporterchris/status/1716857438018646178?s=20] an official announcement could come shortly. The news comes two days after Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott became the first player to defy the NHL's Pride Tape ban in a game, using the tape on the shaft of his stick in a contest versus the Anaheim Ducks. “You don’t really want to go against rules that are put in place by your employer, but there are some people who took some positive things from it,” Dermott told PHNX's Craig Morgan [https://gophnx.com/travis-dermott-discusses-decision-to-use-pride-tape/] of his decision following the game on Saturday. “That’s kind of what I’m looking to impact.” After quietly instituting the ban on Pride Tape in a league-wide memo sent to teams just days before the regular season began, the NHL received criticism from a number of prominent organizations [https://thehockeynews.com/news/you-can-play-pride-tape-release-statements-following-nhl-pride-tape-ban], such as the You Can Play Project and the creators of Pride Tape [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/latest-news/we-make-tape-you-make-it-powerful], with players from multiple different teams also either denouncing the ban or voicing their willingness to defy the rule altogether. Given the backlash, many expected the NHL to ultimately reverse its decision at some point in the season. And, with today's annoucement, that day has now come.
