Bettman not bullish about NHL participation in 2018 Olympics

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to the media before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final series between the San Jose Sharks and the Pittsburgh Penguins Monday, May 30, 2016, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (The Associated Press)

The NHL remains open to sending its players to the 2018 Winter Olympics just so long as the league's owners aren't required to pick up the majority of the check.

Commissioner Gary Bettman said Monday before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final there have been no substantive discussions with the NHL Players Association about closing up shop for several weeks in February 2018 so over 100 players can represent their home country in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The commissioner added it may not matter if the International Olympic Committee and the International Ice Hockey Federation decline to subsidize the league in the way they have since NHL players were cleared to play in the Olympics in 1998. The issue is currently unresolved.

Bettman said the league's executive committee will be ready to make a decision on expansion at the next board of governors' meeting in June.

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/bettman-not-bullish-about-nhl-participation-in-2018-olympics