NHL, NHLPA planning a Scaled-Down World Cup of Hockey in 2025

The NHL and the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) are gearing up for a World Cup of Hockey, but it won't follow the traditional international tournament format seen in the Olympics. Scheduled for February 2025, the event has been adjusted due to time constraints and uncertainty surrounding Russian players. Bill Daly, Deputy Commissioner of the NHL, hinted at unique approaches, emphasizing the international diversity of the sport.

"We're focused on an alternative type of tournament that leverages the unique internationality of our sport," Daly stated during the NHL/NHLPA Player Media Tour. He explained that they are working with the Players' Association to design an event that deviates from the typical World Cup with eight national teams competing over 16 days.

Originally planned for 2024, the World Cup faced several challenges, including Russia's conflict in Ukraine and objections from some federations regarding the participation of Russian players. The new target is 2025, a year before the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy.

While preparations for the World Cup are ongoing, negotiations continue regarding NHL players' participation in the 2026 Olympics. Although the league and players have agreed to join the Olympics in the latest extension of the collective bargaining agreement, this hinges on reaching an agreement with the International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation.

NHL players haven't competed in the Olympics since the 2014 Sochi Games. Despite plans to participate in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, pandemic-related scheduling disruptions led to the league's withdrawal. The same issues, including concerns about insurance and travel expenses, that kept NHL players out of the 2018 Pyeongchang Games remain unresolved. Daly expressed the hope of achieving clarity on this matter by early 2024.

Daly also mentioned the possibility of establishing a regular rotation of events, with a World Cup in 2028, followed by the Olympics in 2030, another World Cup in 2032, and Olympics in 2034.

SportsLigue