Bettman has inquired if NHL can skip 2018 Olympics, return in 2022

If NHL commissioner Gary Bettman had it his way, NHLers would not be attending the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Bettman spoke at the PrimeTime Sports and Management Conference and Trade Show in Toronto on Monday, giving an update on the state of NHLers going to the 2018 Winter Olympics ahead of the planned meeting on Wednesday regarding the issue.

Bettman noted that the final decision on NHL participation will likely come in January, according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen.

The commissioner went on to reiterate that the biggest issue is the International Olympic Committee's refusal to pay for travel and insurance of players and their guests.

With regards to the pending decision, Bettman said he doesn't feel owners will want to shut down the season for two-and-half weeks to accommodate player participation in the Olympics.

All this considered, Bettman admitted that he has inquired if the NHL could skip the 2018 games and return in 2022 when the Winter Olympics will be held in Beijing, China.

NHLers have participated at every Winter Olympics since the 1998 installment in Nagano, Japan.