The issue of whether NHL players will compete in Russia at the 2014 Winter Games will be addressed during forthcoming collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations between the NHL and the NHL Players' Association. The current CBA expires at the end of next season.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has previously called for the League to be compensated financially for the enforced hiatus during the Games. The NHL has also expressed concerns about the League’s lack of control over the Olympic ice hockey event, which was hugely popular last year as host Canada defeated USA in overtime in the title contest.
“The players want to come and I understand why Gary won't say yes now because it is part of bargaining,” Fasel told reporters. “For me, the Olympics are the biggest sporting event in the world and we have to have the best players.”
Fasel added: “I think the best players want to be in the Olympic Games. Our door is wide open and there are things we can adjust and are easy to adjust and now they have to find a way to find the door.”
