Olympic Games: Gary Bettman is finding reasons not to go

The last time NHL players took part in the Olympic Games was in 2014.

It’s been a while, and it’s time for a change.

The players were actually supposed to be at the 2022 Games, in China… But the project was aborted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gary Bettman spoke about the issue at the NHL governors’ meeting, and he wasn’t very reassuring about the next Olympic Games, to be held in Milan in 2026.

Why not? Because construction of the amphitheatre where the hockey competition will be held has not yet begun.

Renaud Lavoie discussed the subject this morning in his column on BPM Sports.

Gary Bettman is finding reasons not to go to the Olympics. – Renaud Lavoie

But a solution could be found if the amphitheatre isn’t ready in time.

Renaud Lavoie maintains that there could be an Olympic tournament in another city… But the problem, if that happens, is that the players won’t get the full Games experience because they’ll be away from the Olympic Village.

Once there, players will have to decide whether or not to go, as the journalist explains in a recent article:

Olympic Games: a cold shower for NHL players https://t.co/IdI9AiaRMC @renlavoietva

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) December 6, 2023

It would be a shame not to see NHL players at the next Games.

It is, after all, a great platform for sports visibility… And the Olympic Games were created to allow the best athletes on the planet to perform in their respective sports.

2026 is still a long way off. But things will have to get moving quickly, before it’s too late.

And if NHL players ever get there, I’m already fantasizing about seeing Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid and Connor Bedard on the same team.

Breaking news

– Max Pacioretty nears a return to action.

– Hein!

– It sure helps.

– Nice mentality.