None of the excuses I've heard from Bettman as to why NHL players cannot participate in the 2018 Olympics have little validity, particularly since the league, in the form of its little, short-sighted boss, appears, at this stage, willing to go to China in 2022.  If, as suggested in this article, most of the "stars" decided en masse to represent their respective countries, what could the league do- suspend them all?  Doubtful.  This is just another nail in the coffin, IMO, and an added reason why I watch maybe 10% of the NHL hockey I watched 10 years ago.  The IOC could give a rat's ass about the NHL; it's not going to change it's policies just for the NHL but it could very well ensure that NHL players will not be taking part in the 2022 games should they not participate in South Korea.  My sense is there's still traction in this story so don't bet your bank account yet on this going one way or the other.  Sure wish Bettman would retire though and get out of our hockey lives.