Players like Mark Recchi of the Philadelphia Flyers, who spent five years with the Montreal Canadiens, were quick to voice support for the six Canadian teams. I know the situation in Montreal. With the tax there, it's very difficult for them to compete. However, when the topic turns to proposals like revenue-sharing, the reaction is decidedly cooler. We don't want to get too ahead of ourselves.
Guys like to play in Canada, it's a great atmosphere.
Guys want to see teams stay. The program provides payments to the Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks to make up for the disparity between the Canadian and American dollars. The NHL is inching closer to participating in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Bettman announced Saturday that he has received approval from the Board of Governors to enter into an agreement with the International Olympic Committee. All that remains is for the International Ice Hockey Federation to resolve some undisclosed issues.