Gary Bettman Drops A Bomb Regarding Players Going To The 2026 Olympics

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Austin Sabourin
December 5, 2023 (9:04 PM)

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Insiders within the NHL have been providing updates from today's Board of Governor's meetings in Seattle, delving into various topics. A significant point of discussion revolves around the league's potential involvement, or lack thereof, in the upcoming Olympic games.

Since 2014, the NHL has been absent from the Winter Olympics, and today, Commissioner Gary Bettman seemed to strongly hint that the trend will continue, with the league likely skipping the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. My interpretation of Bettman's statements suggests a steadfast reluctance towards the Olympics, despite overwhelming player support. It appears as if Bettman is finding a potential loophole in the International Olympic Committee's construction timeline.

According to insights shared by NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Bettman expressed his concerns, stating,

"I don't think they've actually begun construction on it, which is a matter of some concern. We know it's important to the players to go, and we want to make it happen. We're going to be as flexible as we can, but at some point, we've got to do a schedule for that season."

Bettman highlighted the usual timeline for Olympic facilities, saying,

"Normally when you build a building for the Olympics for a hockey tournament, it's done a year in advance, it's done a year in advance, and you have time to have events and test it and build the ice."

He continued, expressing doubts about the construction timeline,

"They're projecting that it won't be done until the fourth quarter of '25, which is like six or eight weeks before the Olympics - if they're on time. And I think they're already late. But that's nothing we can control."

Previously on Bruins Insider

Recent Stat Emerges Proving That Marchand Owns The Maple Leafs

Gary Bettman Breaks The Silence On The Corey Perry Situation

Former Boston Bruin Emerging As Top Trade Candidate

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5 DECEMBRE \| 923 ANSWERS Gary Bettman Drops A Bomb Regarding Players Going To The 2026 Olympics Do you think NHL players should be involved in the Olympics?
Yes	549	59.5 %
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