With NHL players not participating in the Olympics and the availability of KHL players now in the air, the focus has shifted to availability for junior-aged players. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that Hockey Canada had a conference call with the heads of each of the three CHL leagues to discuss the potential for their players to be made available. Currently, junior teams are reluctant to grant permission for their players to participate at both the World Juniors and the Olympics as not only will that be a lot more wear and tear on their top players, it will also keep them out of their regular lineup for the better part of two months. A one or the other idea has been floated by the CHL leagues but that’s something Hockey Canada isn’t believed to be content with at this time. Once the availability of KHL players is determined (which should be next week), a decision on this should soon follow.
More notes on international play:
- While some have wondered if the NHL might look across the pond at some point for expansion, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski that an international-based NHL team is still a long way away. He cites the logistical challenges as well as arena sizes as a couple of barriers while also indicating that he’s not looking to compete with existing teams and leagues in those markets with the NHL looking to still grow the game internationally.
- In that same interview, Bettman suggested that the league is looking into a Ryder Cup-styled event but will likely wait until an announcement is made for the next World Cup before really looking into that. He added that all talks involving those go through the NHL Players Association and that he has urged them to “pick up the pace” on those discussions.