Olympics: NHL participation in the 2022 Olympics

[BigBadBoar]

I do not think any entity is to blame if the 2022 tournament is a no go, but it is definitely a failure that the 2018 Olympic tournament was pointless and the 2016 world cup was a bad joke.

Play a World Cup with only national teams on a regular schedule, like say... every four years like most other world cup tournaments. Take a break of a few weeks every four years and let the players go to the Olympics. Outside of covid times it's pretty simply to figure out.

I would even prefer a regular schedule World Cup with real national teams only over the Olympics. It could take place in hockey countries in front of a passionate crowd, everything would be under the control of hockey associations/organizations. Unlike in the Olympics, there could be, say, a week before the tournament for the teams to practice together. The number of participating countries could be 8, 10, 12, that might really depend on negotiations and circumstances. But in any case, it would be a massive tournament for sure. I hope the NHL and IIHF will make up their minds and finally arrange something like that.

 

[JackSlater]

And don't make it an invite-only thing. What makes it a commercial exhibition tournament is that only arbitrary teams are allowed to compete with no reference to IIHF rankings and a non-existent avenue for teams ranked 8th-10th in the World to make the tournament.

That's no World Cup.

I don't really care if there is a qualification system honestly. However, if a qualification system guarantees that the gimmick teams never return then bring on a qualification system.

I would even prefer a regular schedule World Cup with real national teams only over the Olympics. It could take place in hockey countries in front of a passionate crowd, everything would be under the control of hockey associations/organizations. Unlike in the Olympics, there could be, say, a week before the tournament for the teams to practice together. The number of participating countries could be 8, 10, 12, that might really depend on negotiations and circumstances. But in any case, it would be a massive tournament for sure. I hope the NHL and IIHF will make up their minds and finally arrange something like that.

There are some clear potential advantages to a World Cup. Avoiding the IOC would be great and as you suggest the scheduling options are much better. I'd be more bullish if the NHL didn't completely f*** up the 2016 World Cup and demonstrated a better ability to host the tournament at the intervals it plans to. Ideally I'd like to have both tournaments, but run properly.

 

[SportsFan94]

It's unfortunate, but because of the crazy rules and restrictions in China, I doubt NHLers will go. Quarantining 3-5 weeks for a positive test when they might not even be sick is a joke. I don't blame them.

 

[BigBadBoar]

It's unfortunate, but because of the crazy rules and restrictions in China, I doubt NHLers will go. Quarantining 3-5 weeks for a positive test when they might not even be sick is a joke. I don't blame them.

Yeah, it is complete absurdity. Almost looks like it may have some political background (not only with respect to the NHL but in the attitude to western countries en bloc), but hard to say. Plus, the situation with Russia-Ukraine conflict might be another political deal breaker for the upcoming Olympics. We are living in times which are not favourable to things like sport in general.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

- and if Switzerland does not want it on such a short notice, this should be re-scheduled to February 2023 (in Switzerland or elsewhere not in a dictatorship)

What are u talking about dude. Get in the real world.

 

[Moose Head]

Exactly. I have never understood what exactly is so cool about ASGs. It is not even a competition. Tried to watch it once or twice, was boring as hell.

The game actually used to be pretty good. Started falling apart around the mid 80’s when it became a skills competition.

 

[Djp]

As evil as the CCP is, I hope the players go. Last chance to see Crosby/Ovi at a major international tournament. The fact that McDavid might be 29 before we see him at an Olympics is unacceptable. Players need to go, though if the Chinese are seriously going to quarantine someone for 3 weeks or more for a cold and when the person is vaccinated is absolutely insane and seems like self sabotage of their own event. I’m really surprised to hear of another country with more ridiculous COVID laws than Canada, but it doesn’t surprise me that it’s also an authoritarian country.

They IOC could allow hockey to be moved to NA and occur here at 3 sites

 

[Eye of Ra]

The new version of corona, called "omikron" is spreading like a wild fire. Its getting worse and worse in many countries. And those Quarantining rules in China to add to that. NHL already have problem with schedule becuse of Corona, NHL break just makes it worse for the NHL schedule. I would be shocked if we see NHLers in OG. Actually i would be shocked if OG happens at all.

We can hope it calms dawn (not realistic since feb is too close) but rather months after so we can get a World Championship.

 

[BigBadBoar]

The new version of corona, called "omikron" is spreading like a wild fire. Its getting worse and worse in many countries. And those Quarantining rules in China to add to that. NHL already have problem with schedule becuse of Corona, NHL break just makes it worse for the NHL schedule. I would be shocked if we see NHLers in OG. Actually i would be shocked if OG happens at all.

We can hope it calms dawn (not realistic since feb is too close) but rather months after so we can get a World Championship.

The new COVID variant seems to be highly infectious but not very pathogenic, so it may not worsen the situation by much. It looks like only a small proportion of infected people need hospotalisation compared to the previous variant. It is completely understandable nobody wants to underestimate it nonetheless.

 

[lawrence]

Would love the nhl not to go.

Please cancel nhl participation asap. Would rather that.

 

[lawrence]

Chinese are seriously going to quarantine someone for 3 weeks or more for a cold and when the person is vaccinated is absolutely insane and seems like self sabotage of their own event.

the ccp is not forcing anyone to go. They can pull out. These are just the rules for any athletes that get covid. Actually these are also the same rules they’ve set out for their own people. Just stating facts man.

again ccp is not forcing anyone to come to the Olympics. would love the nhl to pull out of the Olympics.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Calgary has suspended activities, this feels like game over. In addition, Alex Pietrangelo spoke out publicly about going given the potential confinement

 

[86Habs]

Yeah, NHL players aren't going to the Olympics. No way. You may see other athletes pull out as well; 3-5 weeks of quarantine is a long time, and the risk of contracting covid is not insignificant.

At this point, I'd be kind of surprised if the World Juniors went off without issue.

 

[Legion34]

If they don’t go. Could the NHL set up a best on best? What are they going to do with 2 weeks in the schedule?

 

[Mathieukferland]

If they don’t go. Could the NHL set up a best on best? What are they going to do with 2 weeks in the schedule?

They have an alternate schedule that was in place in case this happened. Would be great to have a best v best tournament in North America in February though

 

[Legion34]

They have an alternate schedule that was in place in case this happened. Would be great to have a best v best tournament in North America in February though

too bad. That’s a missed opportunity. I know they probably don’t want to compete with the olympics. But a 4 day best on best would be nuts.

 

[vorky]

If they don’t go. Could the NHL set up a best on best? What are they going to do with 2 weeks in the schedule?

They proposed the KHL to organise a mini-tournament between both leagues in Dubai.

 

[Quack Shot]

They should just pull out of the Olympics and then play a Word Cup during that break. Could easily set it up in SoCal where there’s the Ducks/Kings/Reign/Gulls rinks all within 1-2 hours of each other.

Don’t think any player will want to quarantine in China inside their quarantine camps.

 

[Albatros]

They should just pull out of the Olympics and then play a Word Cup during that break.

The Olympic hockey tournament will take place also without any NHL players.

 

[Pasha71]

They IOC could allow hockey to be moved to NA and occur here at 3 sites

There is actually a precedent. The Summer Olympics 1956 were held in Melbourne, but due to the restrictions on importing horses into Australia, the equestrian competitions were held in Stockholm instead.

 

[frapp10]

Rogers Arena in Vancouver has no bookings during the Olympic break. The other stadium there pacific coliseum has a lot of open dates as well. Maybe that could be a location for a World Cup

 

[Mehar]

They should just pull out of the Olympics and then play a Word Cup during that break. Could easily set it up in SoCal where there’s the Ducks/Kings/Reign/Gulls rinks all within 1-2 hours of each other.

Don’t think any player will want to quarantine in China inside their quarantine camps.

You beat me to this. I like the idea of a World Cup better (Southern California would work). If not during the break, then even possibly next August/September would work, like they did in 2016.

 

[vorky]

Rogers Arena in Vancouver has no bookings during the Olympic break. The other stadium there pacific coliseum has a lot of open dates as well. Maybe that could be a location for a World Cup

You can not be serious at all. You need many weeks to organise it, negotiate with all national hockey federations, broadcasters etc. The KHL needed a month and half to organise the KHL World Games in Dubai. But yeah, the Kraken & Vegas owners & Henrik Lundqvist loved it. All national hockey federations are preparing for the Olympics, calculating with two scenarios. Do you want them to think about another event? Like really? Plus, Igor Kuperman, who is working for NHL, said a few days ago that nobody in NHL HQ is talking about World Cup, it is not a topic at all.

The NHL & KHL top management met a few weeks ago, they are preparing the KHL-NHL Game/s. Again, they need many weeks & months to make it happen.

 

[garbageteam]

The Olympics are happening, omicron is completely overblown, China will see to it that it goes ahead. Unless a new variant takes hold that is worse than omicron in the next month and a half, I expect the NHL players will still be permitted to go by the PA and the league and the break will happen as scheduled.

Whether they actually show up is another matter. I think with the precedent set that players can be opting out of even NHL games now for COVID/vaccine related reasons here and there, there will be a not-insignificant number that just chooses to stay home and sit it out. The tournament itself - again with current status quo - will happen. It's just early jitters for this variant, you can see it in the stock market too. Will be a few sell-offs as people get scared but it will pass.

There won't be another World Cup in place at the same time at empty venues, that's ridiculous. You'll have the majority of the world's players out in China while a few random all-stars organize their own thing state side? There's no way they'll get it right and do it in time.

 

[BigBadBoar]

The Olympics are happening, omicron is completely overblown, China will see to it that it goes ahead. Unless a new variant takes hold that is worse than omicron in the next month and a half, I expect the NHL players will still be permitted to go by the PA and the league and the break will happen as scheduled.

Whether they actually show up is another matter. I think with the precedent set that players can be opting out of even NHL games now for COVID/vaccine related reasons here and there, there will be a not-insignificant number that just chooses to stay home and sit it out. The tournament itself - again with current status quo - will happen. It's just early jitters for this variant, you can see it in the stock market too. Will be a few sell-offs as people get scared but it will pass.

There won't be another World Cup in place at the same time at empty venues, that's ridiculous. You'll have the majority of the world's players out in China while a few random all-stars organize their own thing state side? There's no way they'll get it right and do it in time.

I agree the Omicron variant hysteria is probably overblown, but I am afraid the Chinese may spoil the Olympics (not just hockey) with their crazy quarantine rules just to show the world who is in charge here. If the Olympics took place in any NA/European country, there would probably be no problem, as the COVID measurements would be much more reasonable and balanced.