Will NHL Players Compete in Next Olympics? IIHF Wants Answer

The NHL and its players association have been given a rough timeline to decide on their participation in the 2026 Olympics after missing the last two events.

International Ice Hockey Federation president Luc Tardif said Thursday he would like a decision by Spring 2024 to provide two years of preparation. The NHL and NHLPA have agreed to go if they’re able to reach a deal with the IIHF and IOC.

• The NHL skipped the 2018 Olympics following the IOC’s decision to not pay for travel- and insurance-related costs — like it had the past five Olympics. 
• The league pulled out of the 2022 Olympics due to pandemic-related schedule changes. 

“I’m optimistic, but everybody has to make an effort to be there,” Tardif said. “You need to have the same rules as other athletes. We are not a travel agency. We organize a competition.”

Tardif added, “If we discussed directly with the players — the players want to go — we would find a way. But it’s more complicated than that.”

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said it’s a “reasonable timeline” to decide. 

Global Events

There’s clear interest from the league and players association to compete against other countries — the pair planned to host a World Cup of Hockey in February 2024, which reportedly fell through due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In November, they announced plans to hold the event in 2025.