‘Just an abject failure’: TSN’s Craig Button makes his thoughts clear on Olympic arena disaster
PUBLICATION
Tom Banks
December 4, 2025Â Â (2:19 PM)
Photo credit: The New York Times
Recently, there’s been speculation over the 2026 Olympic Games arena for hockey, and now, TSN’s Craig Button has revealed his thoughts on the situation.
The 2026 Olympic Games are just a matter of months away, and following the success of the Four Nations Face Off, the hype has been immense for the NHL’s return to a best-on-best tournament.
Unfortunately, there’s reportedly been plenty of issues in Milan, as reports have recently revealed that not only is the arena potentially not going to be finished, but the rink is going to be smaller than an NHL one as well.
Craig Button reveals what a disaster the Olympic situation has already become
That has led to speculation that the NHL may pull the plug on appearing at the Olympics, something that would be an absolute disaster for the league and for the Olympic Games.
A disaster is exactly what TSN’s Craig Button labelled this situation, stating that if things aren’t set up to accommodate NHL players, then the league should pull the plug on returning to the international stage for now.
I would be very open to just saying, we’re not playing in that venue.
That was something that Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly recently addressed, noting that unless the ice and the arena are in perfect shape, the NHL is prepared to not attend the event, despite the immense hype the league has built up around the situation.
Ultimately, this situation has already seemingly become a failure thanks to the IOC and the IIHF, and unless things get going in a hurry over the next few months, the Olympic Games could potentially ruin one of their marquee events in 2026.
Previously on House Of Hockey
POLL
9 HOURS AGOÂ Â Â |Â Â Â 194 ANSWERS
‘Just an abject failure’: TSN’s Craig Button makes his thoughts clear on Olympic arena disaster
Should the NHL play at a less than stellar arena for the Olympics?