The state of hockey in 2025 is quite intriguing. A successful 4 Nations Face-Off unfolded, culminating in an exhilarating final between the United States and Canada after the elimination of Finland and Sweden. As Canada lifted the cup, the crowd erupted in excitement, their enthusiasm palpable as they yearned for more thrilling international hockey matchups.

However, numerous prominent teams, such as Russia, have faced suspension from participating in these competitions. But, are you aware that this situation could potentially shift in the near future? On X, Chris Johnston reported, stating, “Gary Bettman reiterates that the NHL learned yesterday of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s discussions about a U.S.-Russia hockey series: ‘I’m not going to speculate or anything else. It is what it is.'”

Gary Bettman stands as the decisive figure in navigating the challenging choices for the league. With his assistance, the announcement of the 4 Nations Face-Off took place. Initially met with significant criticism, it ultimately won over the hearts of hockey fans after its conclusion. According to the Kremlin, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a conversation on Tuesday that included the idea of organizing a series of hockey games featuring players from both nations.

This proposal centered on the organization of games featuring players from the NHL and Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). The Russian president and the POTUS share a notable enthusiasm for hockey, presenting a significant opportunity for Bettman to consider orchestrating a game between the two nations or leagues.

Bettman acknowledges the excitement generated by the conversation between the two leaders within the hockey community. Indeed, it’s been some time since audiences witnessed Russians competing on the international stage!

At this point, Bettman appears to be holding back on making any provocative remarks that could spark speculation. Nonetheless, he seems keen to observe how discussions unfold concerning this specific hockey game. Do you recall the moment when the NHL commissioner expressed a desire to highlight more Russian players in the limelight?

NHL commissioner regarding Russian hockey players

The NHL features a significant number of players from Russia. Could you provide some examples? Clearly, the roster features notable players such as Alex Ovechkin, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Kirill Kaprizov, among others. Do you remember Gary Bettman’s remarks regarding the nation’s passion for the sport?

“Russia has a great hockey tradition. We have great Russian players playing in our league. The International Ice Hockey Federation just voted to keep Russia out of competitions, as have many of sports, and we’re going to have to see what the International Olympic Committee does. But we have enough time to deal with the realities of what the world situation looks like before that,” stated the NHL commissioner.

The International Ice Hockey Federation has imposed a ban on Russia, prohibiting its participation in all tournaments organized by the federation. The outcome regarding the participation of NHL players in the 2026 Milan Olympics remains undecided for now. Nonetheless, the International Olympic Committee barred Russian teams from participating last summer in Paris, allowing only individual athletes to compete as neutral participants.

In the past, teams from the NHL and KHL have faced off in competition. What was the latest match? In 2010, the Carolina Hurricanes took on SKA Saint Petersburg while the Phoenix Coyotes squared off against Dinamo Riga. This type of game is poised to draw in a larger audience, given the involvement of the top hockey leagues from two countries.