The NHL said that it's "willing to negotiate paying a
higher fee" to the IIHF "for using foreign players," but it
"will not tie the negotiations with getting approval" from
the IIHF to participate in the 2002 Olympics, according to
Bloom & Newman of BLOOMBERG NEWS. The IIHF "wants an
increase" in the $5.5M it receives for allowing its players
to compete in the NHL. IIHF President Rene Fasel will meet
with IIHF member countries during the second week of March
to discuss the NHL's position (BLOOMBERG, 2/26). In Boston,
John Powers: "The NHL doesn't have to give the Europeans
compensation, and both sides know it. And the league has
more immediate leverage: It can keep its players out of this
year's World Championships" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/27).
GAME ON? On CNN's "Page One," Nick Charles examined the
state of the NHL: "Hockey is different things to different
people. At it's best, it's a thrilling combination of high
speed and high skill. However, at it's worst, hockey is a
sport struggling to overcome a violent image and find
greater credibility and mass appeal" (CNN, 2/26).