HOCKEY ANALYST: NHL "ALMOST A SURE THING" FOR OLYMPICS

     SportsChannel analyst Peter McNab said it is "almost 100
percent certain" the NHL will be involved in the '98 Olympics.
McNab predicts the league will take a 10-day rest during the
Games and each of the six countries with the most NHL players
will get a bye into the final week of Olympic competition.  McNab
says the six teams would then be joined by the top two teams from
the preliminary competition for an eight-team tournament.  NHL VP
of Public Relations Arthur Pincus confirmed McNab's account as
"the general framework being discussed," but said the league was
still discussing options with the NHLPA.  Pincus: "We haven't
said we would participate.  It's up to the players' association"
(AP/Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 4/22).