No decision yet on NHL players in Olympics

NEW YORK (AP) - A decision on whether NHL players will head to the 2014 Sochi Olympics isn't likely to be reached this week.

Discussions were scheduled for Thursday and Friday between the NHL, the NHL players' association, and officials from the International Ice Hockey Federation and the International Olympic Committee to see if it makes sense for North American professional hockey players to go to the Olympics for a fifth straight time.

"I don't expect any resolution or decisions this week,'' NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told The Associated Press in an email on Thursday.

The Sochi Games are one year away. While a final decision isn't required this week, one will have to be reached in the near future.

The current discussions are being held between NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr, IIHL President Rene Fasel and officials from the IOC.