Toronto
League officials will meet with the International Ice Hockey Federation in New York on Wednesday. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the NHL hopes to learn if any traction has been made between the IIHF and the International Olympic Committee with regard to potential sticking points, including money issues. NHL officials have expressed concerns that the IOC is not willing to cover out-of-pocket payments it took care of at the past five Olympics.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said those costs were upward of $10 million during a two-week hiatus next season.
If the IOC is not willing to figure out the expenses, Daly said, the NHL and NHL players association will have to jointly determine whether to proceed with participation in a sixth consecutive Winter Games.
Bettman said a decision would need to be made by early January at the latest. He also took aim at the restrictive policies of the IOC with regard to the Olympics.
Glendale, Ariz.
The plan would have the Coyotes playing in Tempe near the main Arizona State University campus. The arena would include an attached 4,000-seat multi-sport arena that would be used for Coyotes practices as well as by ASU athletics and youth hockey teams.
The Coyotes’ agreement with developer Catellus Development Corp. sets a June 30 deadline for creating the overall budget, design and operational plan for developing the arena.
New York
Nikita Kucherov and Vladislav Namestnikov added power-play goals as the Lightning won for the fourth time in seven games (4-2-1) following a three-game skid. Steven Stamkos had two assists to help Tampa Bay complete a sweep of the three-game season series with the Islanders by a combined 14-2 margin.
Jaroslav Halak had 27 saves for New York, which was shut out for the first time this season and fell to 1-3-3 in its last seven.
