International hockey federation worries that NHL players will skip Olympics

Once again, it seems that NHL players might not compete in the Winter Olympics.

The president of the International Ice Hockey Federation said Wednesday that disputes over travel and insurance costs have become a sticking point prior to the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.

“It’s always difficult to get [to] the Olympics, the Games,” Rene Fasel told the Associated Press. “And now with some problems on our side, 50-50 is very positive. I would be more 60% that they are not coming.”

The NHL and Olympic officials often haggle over details in the years between Games -- and just as often reach a late agreement.

Scheduling is a concern, with the pro league forced to halt at mid-season so its biggest stars can play in the quadrennial event.

This time, the International Olympic Committee has also canceled its contribution to those player travel and insurance costs, leaving the IIHF with a multimillion-dollar shortfall.