The NHL and the NHLPA "made progress" yesterday in Ft.
Lauderdale toward an agreement that "will allow" NHL players
to participate in the 2002 Olympics, according to Kamon
Simpson of the Colorado SPRINGS GAZETTE. Int'l Ice Hockey
Federation (IIHF) President Rene Fasel: "By the end of the
year, we hope to finalize some different points" (Colorado
SPRINGS GAZETTE, 9/22). USA TODAY's Kevin Allen reports
that the two groups "didn't resolve all issues," such as
"player insurance," but he adds that an agreement for a 2004
World Cup "will be part of the deal." Allen, on the World
Cup: "Though no deadline is set, the expectation is the IIHF
will make an announcement before year's end" (USA TODAY,
9/22). NHL Senior VP/Legal Affairs Bill Daly said that
there are "ongoing discussions" with NBC about NHL
participation: "TV is very important. It's important for
the exposure of the game and for the NHL players. And for
us to take a hiatus in the middle of the season [TV] is very
important" (AP, 9/22). In DC, Jason La Canfora cites sources
as saying that TV exposure is "not an issue." One source:
"We're very comfortable with any TV agreement." La Canfora
also writes that the two sides "differed on several key
issues, such as the length of time" NHL players "would have
to devote" to the Olympics (WASHINGTON POST, 9/22). In
Toronto, Al Strachan: "The most encouraging aspect of
yesterday's development is the proof that if the NHL and
NHLPA decide to be reasonable and work together for the good
of hockey, they can do so" (TORONTO SUN, 9/22).
