The NHL and the players in the league have long had a disagreement about how the league should handle international tournaments. The players have consistently expressed a desire to return to the Olympic games while the league consistently pushes back, citing scheduling concerns. Today, Gary Bettman revealed that there may be a compromise on the horizon. <h2>Bettman Drops Hint About Upcoming International 'Best On Best' Tournament</h2> During the Winter Classic broadcast, Gary Bettman made a statement that will excite fans who have been eager for more international play involving the NHL's best players. While the announcement was not specific, he indicated that there will be a best-on-best tournament coming in the near future. <q>We'll get to announcing something relatively soon about best on best international.» Gary Bettman dropping bombs at the #WinterClassic. Is the World Cup of Hockey returning?!</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/KrakenPod/status/1741931709145227537'> </a></blockquote></div> Fans have been speculating about his comments as many now believe the league is bringing back the world cup of hockey. The tournament was last held all the way back in 2016. Earlier this year, NHL insider Pierre Lebrun reported that the league is looking into a tournament featuring four nations in 2025 followed by a return to the Olympics in 2026 and finally another proper World Cup of Hockey in 2028. <q>Bettman says the most likely format for February 2025 NHL-NHLPA international event is a best on best tourney featuring Finland, Sweden, USA and Canada Then hopefully Olympics in 2026 and world cup of hockey in 2028</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1732128356626247812'> </a></blockquote></div> This lines up with Bettman's most recent comments in which he referred to the upcoming event as an 'appetizer' for the next world cup of hockey. As seen on <a href='https://www.bladeofsteel.com/nhl/news/Bettman-Drops-Major-Announcement-On-What-The-NHL-Is-Working-On-Next?fbclid=IwAR1FjT_LrjxCV5hKX5P3x7ICdXpr8lygyVKZYzltVjBiNRapeaK7M0xi42o' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Bettman Drops Major Announcement On What The NHL Is Working On Next</a>