Wednesday meeting with IIHF should push NHL closer to decision on 2018 Olympics
TORONTO — The NHL hopes to inch closer to a decision on the 2018 Olympics later this week.
League officials will meet with the International Ice Hockey Federation in New York on Wednesday. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the NHL hopes to learn if any traction has been made between the IIHF and the International Olympic Committee with regard to potential sticking points for participation at the Games in South Korea.
No decision with regard to the NHL’s position is expected. But the league hopes to learn if the IOC has budged at all with respect to money issues currently clouding the process. The IOC is resisting covering out-of-pocket payments it took care of at the past five Olympics.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said those costs were upwards of US$10 million. That, as well as the complete shutdown of the NHL season for two-plus weeks, could be a bridge too far for the league.