Kippers, Näslunds, Forsbergs?? sick payback

[lemieux32*]

Growing up players dream about winning two things: Stanley Cup and Olympic gold. Which one is more important to Europeans, especially ones who grew up in the 70's and 80's.

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

Growing up players dream about winning two things: Stanley Cup and Olympic gold. Which one is more important to Europeans, especially ones who grew up in the 70's and 80's.

First, I don't want to get into the NA vs European stereotypes.

I just thought it interesting that people always denigrated European players with the "don't want to win the Cup" BS, but it's only European players that have blown off their national teams. I'm not sure if there are more politics in their national teams, but I assume that's the reason this is going on.

I know that several Russian players have had major issues with the way the National team was run in the past, and from what I've heard, it was for good reason. Not certain if there are similiar circumstances which is why guys like Kipper aren't attending. (I think it's pretty apparent that Naslund has been playing hurt, and could really use the time off).

 

[Borlag]

There was some friction between the coaching staff and some players during last World Cup. Janne Niinimaa left the team in the middle of the tournament for example. Kipper had played great during the whole tournament but some thought he flunked in the final game and he got some flak for that. There's plenty of things that have changed since that though, including the firing of the head coach right after that tournament, so that shouldn't be an issue anymore.

I'm extremely dissappointed with Kipper as he definitely doesn't seem to have an injury of anykind as he's kept playing nearly every single game both before and after the announcement that he'll rest his "injury" during the olympics. Sami Kapanen, Joni Pitkänen and the likes I understand as they've had long term injuries and could easily still suffer a bit from those.

Then again not every European player consider the Olympics to be the #1 priority, just like not every N.American consider the Stanley Cup to be the top priority. I don't think either of those are that important in the end, what is important however is that if you're playing in a tournament, you're going there to win, not to circle around the ice looking bored.

 

[Leo Naphta]

Swedish coach Gustavsson popped off in the local media saying that Naslund really hasn't done much for the national team anyways (this is before Naslund withdrew).

When is he supposed to have said this? I can't remember hearing anything about it

 

[Coburnfan05]

Interesting thought just popped to my head (a first time for everything i guess).

The main argument for those who think players with minor injuries should retire from the Olys is that they are being paid millions by their respective teams and should therefore rest in order to be able to play for the push to the playoffs. Words used in the Forsberg discussion are "lack of loyalty" and disrespect for the Flyers if he chooses to go.

They are not paid for the playoffs, remember? Can you see where i'm going? By the same argument, would you think of it as lack of loyalty or disrespect for their teams should they not feel like playing in the playoffs?

Ofcourse they will not skip the playoffs but i'd like to hear Flames and Flyers fans POV on this matter.

I'm a Flyers fan and Forsberg has my blessing...The only reason I would not want a player to play is if he is going to try to play even though he should because of injury. With Forsberg he is a little bangged up right now but I think with a nother few days rest he will be ok to play.

 

[lemieux32*]

First, I don't want to get into the NA vs European stereotypes.

I just thought it interesting that people always denigrated European players with the "don't want to win the Cup" BS, but it's only European players that have blown off their national teams. I'm not sure if there are more politics in their national teams, but I assume that's the reason this is going on.

I know that several Russian players have had major issues with the way the National team was run in the past, and from what I've heard, it was for good reason. Not certain if there are similiar circumstances which is why guys like Kipper aren't attending. (I think it's pretty apparent that Naslund has been playing hurt, and could really use the time off).

It's not about them "not wanting to win the Cup" it's about how all but the youngest pros from Europe grew up with Olympic hockey as the ultimate championship. What else would you think when very few of your top countrymen played in the NHL when you were young.