The head of the NHL admitted that refused to play with the Russians will change their position

Some hockey federations that refused to play against the Russian national team may reconsider their position, National Hockey League (NHL) Commissioner Gary Bettman said.

"Perhaps some federations that refused to play against Russia will change their minds," Bettman said.

Bettman said this at a press conference in Helsinki, answering a question about the conditions of Russia’s participation in the 2028 World Cup, which is organized by the NHL. According to him, the league does not intend to rush to a decision and will focus on the situation in the world.

At the end of October, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ordered the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to allow Russian teams to participate in international tournaments. After the court decision, the hockey federations of Finland, Sweden, Norway, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Latvia announced a boycott of matches against Russian teams. The Polish Hockey Union also opposed the return of Russia to international competitions.

In 2022, the IIHF suspended Russian hockey teams from international tournaments. In July, the federation extended the restrictions for the 2026/27 season, citing "remaining concerns about safety, protection and sporting integrity.".