Olympics: It appears Russia, as expected will not be permitted to play in the 2026 Olympics..replaced by France.

[Habsfan18]

Not getting into the politics side of it, so speaking PURELY on the hockey side of things..it would have been nice to get a TRUE best on best again. Maybe one day.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Lmao what a joke

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Disappointing situation to not see some of the best hockey players in the world, but I guess that's part of the global political environment in that part of the world right now.

Had to edit my comment to not get a strike lol.

 

[Venzio X]

Good.

 

[Bocephus86]

Glad they made the right decision.

 

[Fatass]

Is the Olympics really a true determinant of best on best? It’s a short tournament where the best teams can lose to a hot goalie in the single game knockout stage and be out.
7 games series shows the best. They’d nhl playoffs are the best.
Olympic hockey is fun to watch. But it definitely doesn’t always result in the best winning.
Hopefully it’s played in proper sized ice so at least the games are fast and exciting big boy hockey.

 

[MikeyMike01]

Pretty stupid but not surprising

 

[Summer Rose]

Is the Olympics really a true determinant of best on best? It’s a short tournament where the best teams can lose to a hot goalie in the single game knockout stage and be out.
7 games series shows the best. They’d nhl playoffs are the best.
Olympic hockey is fun to watch. But it definitely doesn’t always result in the best winning.
Hopefully it’s played in proper sized ice so at least the games are fast and exciting big boy hockey.

If by "proper sized ice" you mean NHL dimensions, I do have good news for you: the venues being used for the 2026 Olympic tournament will be using NHL-sized ice.

 

[NikolaTesla]

Is the Olympics really a true determinant of best on best? It’s a short tournament where the best teams can lose to a hot goalie in the single game knockout stage and be out.
7 games series shows the best. They’d nhl playoffs are the best.
Olympic hockey is fun to watch. But it definitely doesn’t always result in the best winning.
Hopefully it’s played in proper sized ice so at least the games are fast and exciting big boy hockey.

I agree with the part about the hot goalie and luck involved in single games knockout, but when it comes to best on best, the most stacked teams are formed during those tournaments.

 

[Sol]

What an absolute joke.

 

[Metroid]

Great news.

 

[thebeernerd]

At this point, just let them in. I'm not going to piss on the electric fence of explaining why I think that, however. You'll have to figure out why yourselves.

 

[Fitzy]

Good for the politics, bad for the tournament.

Russia has an unquestionable top 3 talent roster on paper.

 

[Eye of Ra]

So France. A team that got relegated will be in Olympics. Would much rather have Austria in Olympics.

 

[Dr Robot]

Wasnt the stated point of the Olympics to bring countries together despite their disagreements to encourage peace? This seems the opposite of that.

 

[landy]

Dumb. Give them jerseys of players who came from stupidland or something with no acknowledgement of Russia, but still let them play. Fake asterisk medal now.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

Want to be represented in the best tournament in the world you have to be able to work with the world as well.

Glad they are not invited

 

[Turin]

Stupid.

 

[93gilmour93]

Really dumb. It's not a true best on best without the Russian team

 

[Czechboy]

Probably the least shocking news I've read in awhile. Not in next years World's either.

 

[Barsky]

Want to be represented in the best tournament in the world you have to be able to work with the world as well.

Glad they are not invited

You're confusing hockey players with politicians it seems

 

[AfroThunder396]

France deserves it solely because of how good Clair Obscur is

 

[waitin425]

Sucks that we won't get to see a best on best Russia team in the next Olympics.

That statement is true and completely separate from the question of whether they deserve to be there.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Instead of locking this, I am just going to infraction and thread ban people who cant keep politics out of it. Take that as your only warning.

Happy posting!

 

[serp]

You're confusing hockey players with politicians it seems

The athletes represent their countries . International sports is and always was political.