Int'l Ice Hockey Federation President René Fasel said that one of the "keys to NHL participation" in the 2018 Olympics -- covering the travel costs for players -- "is no longer an issue," according to Nick Zaccardi of NBC SPORTS. He said, "At the end I think we can balance the numbers and the figures." Still, Fasel repeated that he believes it is "a 50-50 shot that the NHL takes its usual break and sends players to the Olympics," as it has done at the last five Winter Games. The NHL, which did not decide on 2014 Olympic participation until July '13, is "expected to decide by January" on PyeongChang 2018. The NHL is "unhappy" that the IOC is "not willing to pay some of the travel costs" for NHL players to play at the Winter Games, as it has at previous Olympics. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in May that the travel costs issue would have a "significant impact" on the NHL’s decision. Fasel: "We found, more or less, the money to finance it, the transportation and insurance, and we will see" (NBC SPORTS, 11/15).
'A BIT SUSPICIOUS': In Toronto, Michael Traikos reported the way in which Fasel suddenly came up with an estimated $10M-$20M to cover the travel and insurance for NHL players "seems a bit suspicious." Especially "since it came a day before officials from the league, Hockey Canada and USA Hockey are meeting in New York to discuss the merits of going in PyeongChang." Fasel said, "I always said that I would find the money, even if I have to steal it. I didn't steal it." Where the cash originated -- "likely an area that was budgeted for tournaments and player development" -- is "concerning to Bettman." And the commissioner on Monday "was skeptical the IIHF would provide the same level of comfort the NHL is accustomed to in regards to travel and insurance standards." Bettman said, "I think the most likely thing is the International Ice Hockey Federation will come in and say, 'We're going to do it on a pared-down basis'" (TORONTO SUN, 11/15).
