European Hockey Leaders Optimistic About NHL Players in Olympics

(ATR) Leaders from National Hockey Associations still believe that the NHL could strike a deal for PyeongChang 2018.

However, they are prepared to move forward with their best available players should the stalemate remain unresolved.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation president and three-time Olympic gold medalist Vladislav Tretiak said they are ready for either scenario.

"We hope that NHL and the IOC will find some agreement – we’re interested for NHL players to come to the Olympics because millions of people will watch on TV and also for sponsors, but our Russian Hockey Federation respects any decisions the NHL will take," Tretiak told Russian news agencies.

"We will prepare for the Olympic Games with the players that are available," said the legendary goaltender. "It is good that we know about this right now because we need to prepare for next season."

Kontinental Hockey League president and Sochi 2014 CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko said appropriate measures will be taken to allow for Olympic participation.

"All of the best players should be present there, so the NHL decision evokes certain surprise and regret," Chernyshenko said. "From our side, we have never had any hesitation about participation of the KHL players at the Winter Olympics. Next season’s schedule will provide a due break for the league’s players’ training and performance at the 2018 Olympic Games."

Finland has medaled at four of the five Olympics that NHL players have skated in since Nagano 1998. Finnish National Team general manager Jere Lehtinen expressed disappointment with the North American league’s decision, but like the Russians he says Finland are planning to move forward with Plan B.

"This is an unfortunate decision, but I'm sure we will have a fabulous Olympic tournament with European players," Lehtinen stated on the Finnish Hockey Association's website. " Of course it would been great to see all of the world's best players fighting in the same tournament for the Olympic victory.

"It's hard to judge [NHL] decisions or reasons from Finland," Lehtinen said. "European IIHF [International Ice Hockey Federation] members did their best to obtain a positive solution."

National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman addressed the unpopular decision, which was announced in a carefully worded statement released by the league on Monday. The Canadian media outlet Sportnet asked Bettman if the timing of the announcement leaves the door open for a new proposal by the IOC, IIHF or NHL Players Association.

"The fact of the matter is that we have been clear for a very long period of time that the clubs have had enough of how disruptive the Olympics are to our season, when we have to shut down for three weeks," Bettman responded.

However, the veteran commissioner, who was instrumental in initially getting the league’s players into the Olympics beginning with Nagano 1998, said he is still amenable to a discussion with NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr.

"I would never not take a meeting with Don to hear anything he has to say on any subject," Bettman said. "But the most important point here is, we’re not looking for a negotiation. We left the door open, not for a negotiation, but to see if anybody had a suggestion."

The Czech Republic Ice Hockey Association secretary general Martin Urban believes that the final buzzer has not sounded just yet.

"Reading the statement of Gary Bettman and Bill Daley – they are very careful with what they are saying, so maybe it’s not the end of NHL players participation at the Olympics," Urban tells Around the Rings. "I’m not sure if this is the final decision by the NHL owners."

"It’s a complicated situation, but there are too many men on the ice," Urban said.

NHL Players Oppose League Decision

Select NHL players expressed their disappointment with the league’s controversial decision, perhaps no more than retired Finnish star Teemu Selanne, the all-time Olympic points scorer.

Selanne tweeted: "Very thankful for playing 6 Olympics, sad day for @NHL hockey players, playing for your country is every players dream."

New York Rangers and Swedish goalie Henrik Lundqvist said "a huge opportunity is wasted."

Russian superstar Alex Ovechkin remains adamant that he will represent his nation in Korea despite what could become a highly complex and potentially legal matter between players, owners and the league.

Former Russian national team coach Vyacheslov Bykov says that more NHL players need to be vocal and support Ovechkin.

"Ovechkin is like a warrior alone in a battle," Bykov said. "To do something right, the Union and the players must unite and support Ovechkin. Ovechkin could come to the Olympics, but without approval, he could face penalties or sanctions."

Ovechkin’s countryman Evgeni Malkin said he also intends to go to the Olympics, but only if his Pittsburgh Penguins allow it. Other NHL players have remained non-committal.

The NHL and IOC were locked a similar battle in the lead-up to the Sochi 2014 Games, one that wasn’t resolved until July 2013, only seven months before the opening of the Games.

Written by Brian Pinelli

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