As one would expect, players are certainly unhappy about the league's decision to skip the 2018 Winter Olympics.

On Tuesday, NHLers didn't hold back, expressing their collective displeasure while throwing shade at those responsible.

Here's a roundup:

Related: Stralman on NHL's Olympic decision: 'They crushed a dream'

Connor McDavid

The NHL's most prolific scorer said the Olympics were something he'd long hoped to participate in.

"It's disappointing," McDavid said, according to Sportsnet's John Shannon. "The Olympics was something I looked forward to as a kid."

Kevin Shattenkirk

After Alex Ovechkin sounded off - stating the announcement wouldn't stop him from participating - Capitals teammate Kevin Shattenkirk insisted the league is using the Olympics as a "bargaining chip," according to Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post.

Nino Niederreiter

Minnesota Wild forward Nino Niederreiter was also up in arms, suggesting the decision was hypocritical if the league hopes to grow the game worldwide.

"It’s very disappointing. It’s pretty selfish I would say," Niederreiter said, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune. "To me it doesn’t make sense. They want to have opening (exhibition) games in China and (regular-season games in) Sweden (next year), and then we have a chance to play in the Olympics, which was the biggest stage possible, and they don’t want to go. It just doesn’t add up. It makes no sense. You can’t go to China and have games there and go to Stockholm and have games there, and then have a chance to play in the Olympics and don’t go. It just doesn’t add up.

"It’s just selfish. And has nothing to do with the game anymore."

Vladimir Tarasenko

As for St. Louis Blues sniper Vladimir Tarasenko, he's upset about the decision, but isn't ready to break his NHL contract.

"We grow up like this to play in the Olympics, win a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal," Tarasenko said, according to Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"I don't think you can take it away from players. I agree with other players who are disappointed but we have contracts over here."

Gabriel Landeskog

For Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, what hurts the most is the loss of tradition and patriotism that comes with NHLers at the Olympics.

"I think it’s too bad, to be honest with you," Landeskog said, according to Terry Frei of the Denver Post. "I know growing up, watching Sweden in the Olympics and watching men’s hockey, our whole high school would sit still and everybody got a break off school. They showed it in the cafeteria, and everybody was there, the whole school, students, teachers, everything.

"Olympics, that’s what a lot of kids dream about, especially to participate. That’s a great honor for your country and to be part of that, but also to win an Olympic medal. It doesn’t happen often to get that chance, and I think it’s too bad, disappointing to say the least.

"You’re playing for your country. Nobody’s making any money. You’re playing for the pride and you’re playing for your jersey and your country. The owners say they don’t want any players getting hurt and whatnot, and I can understand that, but from a player’s perspective, you go and play for your country. And that’s it. You’re playing for your pride and your country and wanting to win a gold medal for your country. So I think it was too bad and I was disappointed to hear that news."

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To say that the NHL's unwillingness to participate in the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang has created friction with the NHLPA would be an understatement.

With the current collective bargaining agreement expiring after the 2021-22 season, that friction could be an important point in the timeline of a future NHL lockout.

Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is a two-time Olympic gold medalist who represented Team Canada in both the 2010 and 2014 Games. Like many other players, he isn't pleased with the league's decision, and thinks it could be an ominous sign of things to come.

"It just seems like it comes down to what can they (the NHL) get out of us when the next CBA negotiation rolls around," Toews told Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday.

Asked whether the league is hurtling toward another lockout, Toews responded, "I wouldn't be surprised. If we're already hitting some road bumps with something like (the Olympics), we're heading in the same direction. Can't say anyone should be surprised at this point."

As a three-time Stanley Cup champion, Toews' voice is louder than that of an average NHL player. Bolder comments have already come from other faces of the league like Alex Ovechkin, who stated: "I'm still going."

Though the 2016 World Cup of Hockey was a success, it doesn't appear to have succeeded in quenching players' thirst for international, best-on-best hockey.

"Compared to the World Cup, there was no comparison really, as far as energy and excitement," Toews, who's won both tournaments, said of participating in the Olympics.

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Braden Holtby won't be following in his renegade captain's footsteps.

After Alex Ovechkin reiterated his stance on Olympic participation Tuesday - stating he would go despite the league's announcement that the NHL won't shut down to allow players to go - the Washington Capitals goaltender noted he wouldn't go quite as far:

Holtby hasn't suited up for Canada at the Olympics, but was the third string netminder at September's World Cup of Hockey.

As for his Stanley Cup pursuit, Holtby and the Capitals sit atop the NHL standings with 112 points and can clinch the Metropolitan Division on Tuesday.

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The NHL's announcement that it won't send players to the 2018 Winter Olympics had little impact on Alex Ovechkin's stance.

The Washington Capitals captain has claimed in the past that he'll play in the Olympics whether the NHL allows players to participate or not, and on Tuesday - ahead of his club's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs - he stuck to his word.

"Yeah, I didn't change my mind. I'm still going," Ovechkin said, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.

"Somebody going to tell me don’t go, I don’t care, I just go," Ovechkin added, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

Despite the uncertainty, and that the league has reportedly directed teams not to talk about the possibility of players still participating, one thing Ovechkin has going for him is support from Capitals owner Ted Leonsis.

Leonsis went public in October stating that if Ovechkin wants to play in the games, he'll allow him to do so.

"What's the worst that could happen? We'll get fined or something," Leonsis said. "I hope it doesn't get to that. But I've got to have my captain's back, and I will."

It will now be interesting to see if fellow players follow Ovechkin's lead, and what exactly the NHL will or can do to stop them.

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On Monday, following the NHL's announcement that the league won't send its players to the 2018 Winter Olympics, Henrik Lundqvist and Erik Karlsson both voiced their displeasure.

Related: Karlsson calls Olympic decision 'crap,' won't say if he'll defy NHL and play

The news means Lundqvist will lose the chance to play in his fourth games, while Karlsson will be kept away from his second. It's a tough pill to swallow for sure, but for fellow Swede and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman - who's yet to compete at the Olympics - the news cuts a little deeper.

"They crushed a dream," Stralman said, according to ESPN's Joe McDonald. "It's sad."

"Just billionaires trying to make a few extra bucks," he added.

Stralman's on-ice development may have taken a while, but he's become a very dependable defender. He earned a spot on Sweden's World Cup of Hockey roster in September, and it's safe to say he would have been included on Sweden's 2018 Olympic team.

However, with Stralman already 30 years old, and with the next potential opportunity not coming until 2022, there's a chance that Monday's announcement could very well have closed the door on his Olympic aspirations for good.

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Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.

Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Tuesday, April 4 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations):

Dynamic Duos

• LW Nick Foligno (46K) & RW Cam Atkinson (53K), Blue Jackets (at Penguins): The Penguins rank 29th with 3.08 expected goals allowed per 60 minutes since March 4. They've had a negative differential in both possession and expected goals over this past month, and they've allowed a league-worst 19.71 scoring chances per 60 minutes. The Blue Jackets' top line played 30.49 percent of 5v5 minutes last time out.

• LW Filip Forsberg (72K) & C Ryan Johansen (73K), Predators (vs. Islanders): The Islanders have allowed 10.31 scoring chances per 60 minutes over the past month and have averaged just 42.86 percent of all scoring chances. The Predators have averaged 8.33 SCF60 with an expected conversion rate of 2.54 goals per 60 minutes. Forsberg's on a three-game point streak with 10 shots on goal.

• LW Alexander Steen (68K) & RW Vladimir Tarasenko (96K), Blues (vs. Jets): LW Jaden Schwartz is the third piece of the Blues' top line, but he is slightly more expensive than Steen. Opting for the lower ceiling of Steen allows for a non-minimum salary goaltender. The Jets have allowed 10.08 scoring chances per 60 minutes over the past month, and St. Louis averages 10.17 chances of their own on home ice.

(Photo courtesy Action Images)

Goalie Breakdown

• TARGET - Pekka Rinne (115K), Predators (vs. Islanders): The Islanders have averaged more than 30 shots on goal per 60 minutes over the past month, but they're turning those into just 7.74 scoring chances and 2.33 expected goals. Rinne should be able to pad his nightly stat line with some low-difficulty saves.

• BARGAIN - Braden Holtby (79K), Capitals (at Maple Leafs): The Maple Leafs own an 8-1-1 record over their past 10 games, but they'll be playing on the second half of a back-to-back. They made the short trip back home from Buffalo, but they'll be facing a rested Capitals team. Washington is already the second-ranked team in Corsi For percentage over the past month.

• FADE - Matt Murray (118K), Penguins (vs. Blue Jackets): The Penguins' depleted defense corps has led to the team's 3.08 expected goals against per 60 minutes over the past month. Murray has allowed 10 goals in his past three starts in which he faced a total of 100 SOG. He has the potential for a high save total, but he should be avoided against an elite offense.

• CONTRARIAN - Keith Kinkaid (93K), Devils (vs. Flyers): The Flyers rank in the top-third of the league with 8.87 scoring chances per 60 minutes over the past month, but they've converted those to just 2.38 expected goals. Kinkaid stopped 70 of 74 shots faced in his past two starts.

(Photo courtesy Action Images)

Bargain Plays

• LW Matthew Tkachuk (30K), Flames (at Ducks): Tkachuk played on a line with C Mikael Backlund and RW Michael Frolik which played a team-high 28.8 percent of the 5v5 minutes in Calgary's most recent game. The Ducks have been expected to allow 2.62 goals per 60 minutes over the past month.

• C Nick Schmaltz (28K), Blackhawks (at Avalanche): Schmaltz has gone without a point in each of his past two games, but he played over 18 minutes for the first time since March 19, his last time out. He remains beside C Jonathan Toews and has an extremely favorable matchup.

• RW Mikko Rantanen (25K), Avalanche (vs. Blackhawks): Blackhawks G Corey Crawford owns a 2.80 goals against average on the road this season with a save percentage of just .911. Rantanen remains beside C Nathan MacKinnon at 5v5, with their line playing 26.63 percent of the available minutes last time out. Rantanen had three SOG in each of his past three games.

(Photo courtesy Action Images)

Top Fades

• D Dustin Byfuglien (52K), Jets (at Blues): Byfuglien is on track for his lowest full-season goal total since his first with the Jets in 2011-12. He is on pace for a career high in assists but his shot counts have also dwindled. St. Louis is one of the league's top defensive teams on home ice, allowing just 25.73 SOG and only 3.94 scoring chances per 60 minutes.

• RW Phil Kessel (60K), Penguins (vs. Blue Jackets): Kessel has been held without a goal since March 17. He has tallied five assists during the slump, but his price is much more reflective of a steady goal scorer. He faces the league's top goaltender, Tuesday, diminishing any appeal in a slump buster.

• LW Patrick Marleau (54K), Sharks (vs. Canucks): While he was beside C Joe Pavelski, Marleau played just 13.5 percent of the 5v5 minutes in San Jose's most recent game. Owners are better off spending a little extra for Pavelski with playing time and opportunity limited for both forwards.

(Photo courtesy Getty Images)

Contrarian Options

• LW Jeff Skinner (50K), Hurricanes (at Wild): Skinner has goals in two of his past three games since his scoring streak was snapped. He had at least three SOG in five of his past six games. The matchup will deter many owners, but Skinner remains matchup proof while carrying the scoring load for the Hurricanes.

• D Kevin Shattenkirk (37K), Capitals (at Maple Leafs): Shattenkirk has six assists in his past five games, and he has six power-play assists since joining the Capitals. Washington ranks third in power-play percentage. The Maple Leafs have a top-10 penalty-kill percentage, but they could be prone to taking a few more penalties while on the second half of a back-to-back.

• C Joe Pavelski (86K), Sharks (vs. Canucks): As noted above, Pavelski's 5v5 ice time has fluctuated of late, but he maintains consistent TOI totals with heavy power-play usage. He was held without a shot his last time out, but he notched three or more SOG in each of his previous three games.

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Just like that, Team Canada's aspirations of winning a third straight Olympic gold became much more difficult to achieve.

The NHL made the dreaded though not unexpected announcement Monday that the league will not send its players to the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Related - Report: NHL directs teams not to talk Olympic participation with players

While some optimists and those close to the game don't feel Monday's announcement concretely closes the door on NHL participation, those in charge of constructing the rosters must now turn to plan B.

It will be no simple task for Canada to piece together another winning club, but let's take a look at how the country's 2018 Olympic roster could shape up.

Note: Only AHL players with fewer than 10 games played in the NHL over the last two seasons were considered. Players signed to entry-level contracts were excluded as well.

Forwards

Notes:

• The forward contingent is largely made up of KHL talent, along with some experienced AHL veterans.
• Mason Raymond and Mike Richards both earn spots despite not currently playing with a team. Raymond suited up for Canada at the Spengler Cup last December and was instrumental in the team's gold-medal win, collecting six points in five games. Meanwhile, Richards hasn't played since joining the Washington Capitals last season, but could be an asset considering he earned gold at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
• Nigel Dawes is on the list, but gets an asterisk since he also has Kazakhstani citizenship, and recently played for the country at its Olympic qualifying tournament and at last season's World Championships.

Defense

• The defense - once again - is very KHL-heavy.
• Chris Lee has scored more points (62) than any other Canadian skater this season.
• Four of the men above represented Canada at the 2016 Deutschland Cup.

Goalies

• Selecting the goaltenders is fairly straightforward. Ben Scrivens and Daniel Taylor have been among the best Canadian talents in the KHL this season. Meanwhile, Michael Leighton continues to live in the AHL despite continued solid play with the Charlotte Checkers.

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Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson notched a goal and an assist in Monday's shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings to reach the 70-point plateau for the fourth time in his career, making him just the 12th blue-liner in NHL history to record four or more 70-point seasons.

The other 11 defensemen to do so? Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey, Brian Leetch, Al MacInnis, Nicklas Lidstrom, Ray Bourque, Denis Potvin, Phil Housley, Gary Suter, Larry Murphy, and Borje Salming. With the exception of Suter, all of them are in the Hall of Fame.

What makes Karlsson's feat especially impressive is the fact he's been able to produce in an era with far less scoring than the 1980s, when most of the aforementioned blue-liners played.

At 26, Karlsson is well on his way to the Hall, with a chance to go down as the best offensive defenseman of all time.

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With assists from William Nylander and Mitch Marner on Monday night in Buffalo, the Toronto Maple Leafs became just the second team in NHL history to feature three rookies with 60-plus points each, joining the 1980-81 Quebec Nordiques, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Toronto's 4-2 win also increased its record to 11-2-1 over its last 14 games.

"This is a pretty good time of year to be heating up," Auston Matthews told Mark Masters of TSN.

Matthews, of course, rounds out the 60-point rookie club in Toronto, and scored again Monday off a beautiful feed from Nylander. That tally gave Matthews 39 goals on the season, setting a single-season NHL record for goals by a U.S.-born rookie and matching Sidney Crosby's rookie total.

The goal was also Matthews' 67th point of the season, passing Peter Ihnacak for the Leafs' single-season record for points by a rookie.

The Leafs currently sit with 93 points - good for second in the Atlantic Division - as the rookie trio attempts to lead the franchise to its first playoff berth in a full 82-game season since 2003-04. The Buds have four games remaining - all at home - against Washington, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, and Columbus.

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