NHL players are going to the 2014 Winter Olympics. It took months of deliberation, but participation in the games was made official after an agreement was reached between the league, the NHL Players Association and the International Ice Hockey Federation. "I think like everyone thought it was just kind of a matter of time, working out logistics," Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. "With it being a little further in Russia Im sure there was a little bit more work to do. Im glad that were going and obviously excited to kind of start the process." Commissioner Gary Bettman has been optimistic for several weeks about a deal getting done. But until it was finalized there was uncertainty about players going to the Games in Sochi, Russia, despite NBC securing broadcast rights for the games and players expressing the desire to go. "The decision to participate in the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi was in many ways a difficult one, but one that we know will be well received by our players and, most importantly, by the vast majority of our fans and sports fans everywhere," Bettman said in a statement. It will be the fifth Olympics featuring NHL players since they were first allowed to represent their countries in 1998. The NHL will interrupt its season from Feb. 9-26 for the tournament, which will take place from Feb. 12-23. The 2013-14 NHL schedule, delayed until this deal was finalized, was released later Friday. Canada won gold at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, when Crosby scored to beat the United States in overtime. "Its gone by really fast," Crosby said. "Obviously with injuries and stuff like that, too, it wasnt like there was three full hockey seasons to kind of look back on. Its definitely gone by quick, but its exciting. You start to kind of think about it and obviously with it being announced that were going." Overall its been an up-and-down experience for Canada at the Olympics. Canada finished seventh in Turn in 2006, won gold in Salt Lake City in 2002 and finished fourth in Nagano in 1998. Canada will be in Group B along with Austria, Finland and Norway. Group A is made up of the United States, Russia, Slovakia and Slovenia, while Group C is made up of the Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland and Latvia. Canada opens the Olympic tournament Feb. 13 against Norway. Naturally, the expectation for Canada is the same as it was in 2010. "Just being Canadian you realize pretty quickly that people come together that time of year, especially, and when its hockey even more so," Crosby said. "I think that you want to go there and find a way to win gold." Some Russian stars, including Alex Ovechkin, have said they would go to Sochi regardless of NHL permission. Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis even said he would allow Ovechkin to go with or without the leagues blessing. That is no longer an issue the league or players association needs to worry about. "The players are very pleased that an agreement has been reached that will allow the worlds best hockey players to compete at the Winter Games in February," NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said in a statement. "Having the opportunity to wear their nations sweater in Sochi is something the players look forward to." Seven NHL referees and six linesmen will go to Sochi, joining the IIHFs on ice officiating crew. Canada is expected to announce its coaching staff in the coming days. Reportedly Mike Babock will be back as head coach, joined by assistants Claude Julien, Lindy Ruff and Ken Hitchcock. Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson said he hopes orientation camp in Calgary begins Aug. 25 but said in an interview he wasnt sure if players would be able to skate because of insurance issues. "We got some quotes yesterday that it would be over a million dollars to skate," Nicholson said. "So if its that type of dollars, itd be very difficult for us to do that. But were just starting to look into that now with the agreement being done today." Curry 3 Black . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. Curry 2 Mvp Back To Back Pack .ca! Hi Kerry, Its another day and here we are looking at another dubious hit to the head. In this case Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky elbowed Saku Koivu in the head about a second after he dished off the puck to a teammate, knocking him unconscious. http://www.currybasketballshoessale.com/ . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book. Curry 5 High Tops . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Curry 2 Low White .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up.We have a list of forwards all over Europe and most of our money will go into signing one. West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan often speaks freely on transfer matters, and his statement above makes clear the clubs summer recruitment plan.Ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium, Slaven Bilics side have been linked with a big-money move for a new striker, and the West Ham boss reportedly has £20m available to make it happen. In recent seasons theyve shopped in Turkey, Mexico and the French second division, but if the gossip pages are anything to go by, this summer could be very different.They have been linked with some of European footballs best and brightest, so we take a look at five forwards who could be wearing West Ham colours next season…Zlatan Ibrahimovic - PSGThe PSG striker remains the dream target - the only problem is, West Ham find themselves towards the back of a long line.They have been keen to talk up their interest, with Sullivan admitting: Id love to sign Ibrahimovic, but whether hed come I dont know. David Sullivan would absolutely love to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic Bilic was a little more reserved, writing in his Evening Standard column: We are ambitious and determined to progress, but to be realistic, we are not yet a club who those kind of players would consider.Ibrahimovic is expected to leave PSG when his contract expires this summer, and Sky Sports News HQ understands Man Utd could be his destination if Louis van Gaal departs.But theres still hope for West Ham fans - Swedish journalist Olof Lundh believes Ibrahimovic, having played in Paris, Milan and Barcelona, would prefer a move to London over Manchester. Ligue 1 strikers linked to West Ham Age Height Goals Assists Zlatan Ibrahimovic 34 6ft 4in 30 11 Alexandre Lacazette 24 5ft 7in 16 2 Michy Batshuayi 22 6ft 0in 14 9 Christian Benteke - Liverpool Christian Benteke has been on the fringes of the Liverpool team since his move Things havent gone to plan for Benteke at Liverpool. Hes made more Premier League substitute appearances than starts, and has just eight goals in his maiden campaign to date.His Belgium national team colleague Divock Origi has leapfrogged him in the pecking order, leavingg Benteke, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury, looking on from the end of the bench.ddddddddddddullivan admits West Ham admire the forward, but his wages could be a problem, while Sky Sports reported in March that they were interested.For his part, Benteke insists hes really happy at Liverpool, but considering the success Andy Carroll has enjoyed in recent weeks, its easy to see the strikers appeal to West Ham chiefs.Alexandre Lacazette - Lyon Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette is one of the top goalscorers in France He signed a new Lyon contract last summer, but Lacazette has since revealed he has an understanding with club president Jean-Michel Aulas that allows him to leave after this season if the right offer comes in.Sky Sports reported in March that West Ham were interested, he reportedly turned down Newcastle in January, while Arsenal and Tottenham have all been linked, but the forward has conditions on a move. No 1, his new team must be playing Champions League football, and No 2, they cant play kick and rush.The second criteria shouldnt be a problem, not with former Ligue 1 star Dimitri Payet pulling the strings, but Champions League qualification may be just beyond the Hammers this season.Wilfried Bony - Man City Wilfried Bony was linked to West Ham before he moved to Swansea At the turn of the year, Wilfried Bony told Sky Sports no player is happy sitting on the bench. Fast forward four months, and the Ivorians mood cant have improved.He has started just 17 matches for City in all competitions this season, playing a cumulative total of 280 minutes of football from a possible 2070 in 2016.West Ham had Bony bought for £8m and £40,000-a-week in 2013, according to Sullivan, only to watch him join Swansea instead.Hes likely to cost much more now, and like Benteke, meeting his wage demands could be an issue for a club unlikely to be playing Champions League football.Despite his struggles at Man City, hes still the same striker who terrorised Premier League defences in south Wales and the Daily Mirror believe he remains a West Ham target.Michy Batshuayi - Marseille Michy Batshuayi is a target for a host of clubs across Europe this summer The lesser-known of the five targets, Batshuayi is another highly-rated Belgian striker. The Marseille forward is reportedly available, but Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham have all been mentioned, while West Ham have the 22-year-old among their top targets, as reported by Sky Sports in March.Once again, Champions League football could be a clincher, but West Ham hold a trump card. Payet has been many things this season, most of them brilliant, but could be become chief recruiter too?He is good pals with Batshuayi from their season together in Provence, and the Daily Telegraph report Payet is selling his former team-mate on life in east London.Impressive performances in Ligue 1 are no guarantee of Premier League success, just look at Angel Di Maria, but Batshuayis 14 league goals and nine assists for a struggling Marseille has turned heads.Watch Leicester City against West Ham on Super Sunday from 12.30pm on Sky Sports 1 HD Also See: WATCH: Hammers surprise amateurs Carroll frustrated by injuries Transfer Centre Get a ￡10 free bet! 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