NHL PROS IN OLYMPICS MAY BE A BIT "PREMATURE"

     Reports that NHL players are sure to play in the '98 Winter
Games in Nagano appear to be a bit "premature," according to
today's TORONTO SUN.  Recently, IOC President Juan Antonio
Samaranch, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, NHLPA Exec Dir Bob
Goodenow and IIHF President Rene Fasel met in Switzerland to
discuss the possibility of a hockey "Dream Team."  The latest
reports from Europe, however, "indicate there's no unanimity
among the group" and that several major issues have to be settled
before the plan is given the "go-ahead."  Goodenow:  "We have
some hockey issues to solve.  That includes the impact on the
players who might play and those who might not.  Moreover, we
have to go over some business issues" (George Gross, TORONTO SUN,
3/31).
     NHL IN ZURICH?  There is speculation overseas that the NHL
will open its European headquarters in Zurich "in the near future
to take merchandising and licensing programs in-house."  Former
FIFA press chief Guido Tognoni would be the Managing Dir of the
office (TORONTO SUN, 3/31).