If anyone still had a glimmer of hope of the NHL participating in the Olympics next season its been snuffed out.
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Tampa to host 2018 all-star showcase
In stamping home that point, Bettman confirmed Tampa as the site of the 2018 all-star game and said a schedule for the 2017-18 season would be announced in late June.
IIHF president Rene Fasel said last month that there was "still some space" to convince Bettman. Fasel believed the NHL needed to be in Pyeongchang, South Korea, to grow their brand internationally.
Bettman repeated familiar arguments against the NHL attending, however, including the season disruption required of the Games.
"We're not anti-Olympics, we're anti-disruption to the season," Bettman said.
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Bettman confirmed an earlier report of an outdoor game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals next March and thought Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford was engaging in gamesmanship when he complained about the treatment of captain Sidney Crosby.
"Maybe he's trying to tweak the officials a little bit," Bettman said.
Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly hinted at the salary cap likely remaining flat at US$73 million (or slightly up) next season.
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