Will the NHL participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea? A formal decision hasn’t been made, but Gary Bettman made a few comments prior to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final which hints that the league won’t be participating unless someone else picks up the tab.
Specifically, Bettman stated that NHL teams don’t want to have to pay to send players to the Olympics.
Bettman says NHL teams aren't interested in paying for the privilege of sending players to the Olympics.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 30, 2016
Looking at the big picture, it’s no surprise that NHL teams don’t want to pay to send their star players abroad at the risk of an injury which could derail a team’s deep playoff run. As for as the league is concerned, the NHL has its own tournament to showcase the world’s best, meaning Olympic competition isn’t as significant as it once was.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) may have to pick up the tab if they want NHL players competing.
Paraphrasing him, if the IOC landscape on who assumes cost to send players to Olympics doesn't change, NHL participation is not expected.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 30, 2016
It’s important to note that finances are just one hurdle between the league’s players from participating in the Olympics. Even if the IOC figures things out financially, there’s no guarantee the NHL will participate.
How will this go over with NHL players? Probably not too well considering many have already commented that participation in the Olympics is important. The league will point to the World Cup of Hockey as a suitable replacement, but players likely won’t see things the same way.
The World Cup of Hockey may have killed NHL player participation in the Olympics as soon as it was announced. The NHL can make a lot of money on the World Cup of Hockey. They can’t with the Olympics. Unfortunately, finances tend to drive decisions and it may lead to a very different Olympic competition. You could make the argument that there’s plenty of money to be made with the league participating in the Olympics, but that’s up for Gary Bettman to decide.
