Bettman: World Cup talks with players ongoing

NEW YORK -- NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday that discussions between the League and the NHL Players' Association about bringing back the World Cup of Hockey are ongoing, but he didn't have an update as to where they stand.

The World Cup hasn't been contested since 2004.

"At this point to announce we were doing a World Cup would be silly," Commissioner Bettman said. "We want to be in a position to have an agreement on essential terms so if and when we're ready to announce it we can give you details because you're going to have lots of questions. We want to make sure we have as many answers as possible."

Commissioner Bettman said the League views the World Cup as the signature event on a future international calendar for the NHL and NHLPA. He didn't deny that the NHL Premiere Games could return next season.

"Lots of things are on the table, but I think we have to move one step at a time and we're still focused on working out the World Cup," he said.

Commissioner Bettman also said that while negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the League and the NHL Officials Association continue, there is a possibility that the officials will begin the season without a new CBA.

"[NHL Deputy Commissioner] Bill Daly is handling those negotiations directly, and we don't anticipate any problems," Commissioner Bettman said. "The discussions have been very constructive."

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