NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was on hand as the league opened its 109th season with the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers hosting the Chicago Blackhawks.

Among other topics, Bettman shared his opinion on NHL players returning to the Olympics next year after a 12-year hiatus.

"I think it's going to be great," Bettman said about the Olympic competition and the nearly three-week break and stoppage of league play. "It's important to our players. That's why we're doing it. Listen, there are lots of reasons that I'm never thrilled about taking a couple of weeks break in the season. Changes a lot of things.

"But on balance, I think it'll be worth it. A, for the exposure, B, for the fan engagement, but C, and most importantly, this is and has always been very important to our players. And that's why we're doing this."

The NHL will pause from Feb. 6 to Feb. 24 to accommodate the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The last time NHL players competed in the Olympics was in 2014, when Canada won gold in Sochi, Russia.

If the exposure that the league earned with the 4 Nations Face-Off is any indication, the Olympics will be another feather in the NHL's cap.

"We came off of 4 Nations on a high," Bettman said. "It shows you what our players can do representing hockey, and what we think is the best best-on-best in international competition."