IIHF, NHLPA still trying to broker deal for NHL players in Pyeongchang Olympics
PARIS — International Ice Hockey Federation president Rene Fasel is not giving up on the idea of NHL players participating in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
“I’m a very positive person so I never give up,” Fasel told a news conference Tuesday at the world hockey championship. “There is still some space, still some time where maybe we can convince (NHL commissioner) Gary Bettman.”
Bettman said last month that he considers the matter “officially closed” after negotiations stalled between the NHL, the players’ association and the International Olympic Committee.
Fasel made headlines earlier this week when he told a German outlet that he was still trying to broker a deal to bring NHL players to their sixth straight Winter Olympics.