Recent comments from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, made during a pregame broadcast ahead of the Winter Classic between the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken, suggest progress on this front.
Bettman hinted at an imminent announcement regarding the best-on-best international tournament, emphasizing its significance in showcasing one of the game's great strengths. The commissioner likened this event to an appetizer, building anticipation for an eventual World Cup of Hockey.
The last best-on-best tournament took place in 2016 with the World Cup of Hockey hosted by Canada. Featuring teams like Canada, the United States, Czechia, Finland, Sweden, Russia, Europe, and North America, this event offered a thrilling showcase of top-tier international hockey talent.