2024/2025 Around the League

[Pokecheque]

Next year's Olympics matter, and those aren't legit if Russia is not involved.

It is not best-on-best if Russia is not in. Simple.

Meh, the 1980 and 1984 Olympics didn't feature the USA and USSR at the same time for political reasons, nothing you can do there.

I’m not sure the players are going to look at it that way. Especially because of how long it’s been since a beat on best tournament was had.

I'm sure the players will be psyched but they're still not the ones making the decisions.

 

[Ceremony]

Next year's Olympics matter, and those aren't legit if Russia is not involved.

It is not best-on-best if Russia is not in. Simple.

This sounds entirely like Russia's fault and nobody else's.

 

[Pokecheque]

This sounds entirely like Russia's fault and nobody else's.

Yep. Frankly they should've been banned from competition long before the war broke out.

 

[dahrougem2]

Oh goodness. If you're banning Russia then you ban the United States.

 

[henchman21]

 

[LOFIN]

Oh goodness. If you're banning Russia then you ban the United States.

One of these countries is not currently in war with with a European country and the Western world.

And not banning itself from a tournament it's hosting.

 

[Vaslof]

One of these countries is not currently in war with with a European country and the Western world.

And not banning itself from a tournament it's hosting.

They are in that same war by proxy, as well as funding Israel in their wars. Banning countries for political reasons will always get messy. Though I am glad to see Russia gone for their systematic doping. That is relevant to hockey.

 

[Pokecheque]

They are in that same war by proxy, as well as funding Israel in their wars. Banning countries for political reasons will always get messy. Though I am glad to see Russia gone for their systematic doping. That is relevant to hockey.

Yeah, that's the real issue as far as sports go. It wasn't so much that the doped, they were just so goddamned brazen about it. They literally dared the IOC to do something about it. They did, but it was completely pointless. They were allowed to compete, but just couldn't call themselves "Russia" or fly the flag in an official capacity, so all it did was take an already surly bunch of whiners and give them a rallying cry.

I could go on about the whole war thing but admittedly that is not a uncomplicated subject.

 

[Ceremony]

Oh goodness. If you're banning Russia then you ban the United States.

It's an American league that's organising the tournament.

 

[dahrougem2]

It's an American league that's organising the tournament.

Then only let Americans play

 

[henchman21]

Then only let Americans play

USA can finally win gold!!! USA! USA! USA!

 

[The Abusement Park]

Am I the only person that thinks Aho is overrated? At least comparing him to the elite Finnish players. Why is he Finland’s “guy”? You got Barkov and Rantanen that are both better, more exciting , and have won.

I somewhat agree. He’s really good, but he’s not a cup winning 1C.

 

[henchman21]

I somewhat agree. He’s really good, but he’s not a cup winning 1C.

Neither is Rantanen.

 

[SirLoinOfCloth]

This is a contentious topic. My personal view is that sports teams shouldn't be punished for the decisions made by their governments. I would also say it is hypocritical for many countries, including the US, to bang the drum for excluding countries from international events without also examining their own direct and indirect roles in current global politics.

 

[henchman21]

This is a contentious topic. My personal view is that sports teams shouldn't be punished for the decisions made by their governments. I would also say it is hypocritical for many countries, including the US, to bang the drum for excluding countries from international events without also examining their own direct and indirect roles in current global politics.

Okay Brezhnev

 

[SirLoinOfCloth]

Okay Brezhnev

BUSTED

 

[henchman21]

BUSTED

Its always the eyebrows... or should I say eyebrow?

 

[Pokecheque]

So...is Spencer Carbery actually a good coach?

 

[BobRossColton]

That whitecloud deal Vegas did is enabling the rest of their defense to get paid

 

[henchman21]

So...is Spencer Carbery actually a good coach?

IMO they took chances on a few distressed assets that have things to prove… and it is simply working.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Next year's Olympics matter, and those aren't legit if Russia is not involved.

It is not best-on-best if Russia is not in. Simple.

I simply do not know how that would be possible in today's reality.

I truly feel bad for Russian born players who are against what is going on, even if silently (I get the reality over there as well). But as far as a team playing under a flag in an international tournament, now? Russia can kiss my behind.

 

[dahrougem2]

IMO they took chances on a few distressed assets that have things to prove… and it is simply working.

Yeah, and they gave up virtually nothing from their actual roster to bring those players aboard.

Good GMing.

 

[The Merchant]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1849582077680681297

 

[The Kingslayer]

Boston looks done. Marchand looks done.

 

[sethro109]

Boston looks done. Marchand looks done.

Brad has always been a bit of a diva and head case. I could see him slumping if he doesn't like the message from the coach. So that leads me to wonder if a coaching change would help reignite that team? Their D should be one of the better ones in the league. They do desperately need a true #1 center though.