Olympics without NHLers.. Is it even worth it?

[Janvonpobben]

generally not a fan of the Olympics, but I do enjoy a NHL Olympic tournament. The only Olympic hockey game I'll make room for this year in my schedule is the Canada-USA woman's GMG.

Thats the problem with womens hockey. You already know it is going to be usa vs canada. And thats why womens hockey is a joke.

 

[babylonzoo]

I remember watching all those Olympics as a kid and loving it! Lindros and Juneau. Czechs on Team Canada?! Kariya as you mentioned. Forsberg with his legendary goal.

I totally understand if we were like soccer and had a best on best every 2 years (Euro then World). We don't. I don't understand how all these hockey 'fans' aren't watching. The alternative is nothing.

Remember the shootout between Canada and Germany where lindros scored a few in the shootout and draistaitl's dad's shot landed right on the goal line?

 

[mattihp]

What circumstances and host country? It's the best host country imaginable. And multiple tournaments were held during far worst COVID times. NHL just continues being cancer to hockey. It should be surgically removed.

These olympics are at the worst possible host country. THIS time it was the right time to pull out. Last olympics were the most stupid decision ever. Canadians are the biggest losers who won't see McDavid and Crosby play together.

 

[heksagon]

Thats the problem with womens hockey. You already know it is going to be usa vs canada. And thats why womens hockey is a joke.

Well, Finland would've won the 2019 world championships if not for the biggest disgrace of a video referee blunder I've ever witnessed in any sport.

But yes, USA and Canada will be the finals almost always. Seems even more likely now with Noora Räty not being picked.

 

[Macbanan]

I wish they would cancel it. It just devalues the olympic medals to have nobodies competing for the gold.

 

[Atas2000]

These olympics are at the worst possible host country. THIS time it was the right time to pull out. Last olympics were the most stupid decision ever. Canadians are the biggest losers who won't see McDavid and Crosby play together.

China is a great country. You should not be afraid like all the westerners just scared to give up their illusions.

 

[mattihp]

China is a great country. You should not be afraid like all the westerners just scared to give up their illusions.

It's probably neat in its ways, lots of interesting history etc. But the now of the country makes it an awful host.

 

[Atas2000]

It's probably neat in its ways, lots of interesting history etc. But the now of the country makes it an awful host.

The now of the country is not your propaganda fantasy though.

 

[Luolis]

I wish they would cancel it. It just devalues the olympic medals to have nobodies competing for the gold.

Lol

 

[ed bruin]

Whatever you say Xi!

It is 2022, "play on" on words and names used in other languages is racist especially when your other posts are insinuating a very xenophobic tone..... just sad

 

[Shockmaster]

It is 2022, "play on" on words and names used in other languages is racist especially when your other posts are insinuating a very xenophobic tone..... just sad

Well like you said, it is 2022, and people love to throw out words like "racist" and "xenophobe" when their argument holds no water.

 

[Flukeshot]

I'm conflicted. I value the Olympics, but I do think North America is a Pro Sports first mentality. It's the same way North Americans and Europeans differ in preference for "Business First franchises" vs "Clubs" and closed leagues vs Open relegation/promotion. We've just been brought up differently.

The main let down is this tournament won't be as originally intended. If it were no NHLers the entire time, we'd have those expectations.

Image if it track and field everyone who qualified personally for the Olympics, for some reason, was no longer going. And then each country was told... find someone else to fill their spot. I think that's what this feels like for NA fans.

 

[MuckOG]

Yes its worth it. Even if its not the best players in the world, its still competitive hockey. Team USA is largely made up of NCAA players, looking forward to see how they stack up. Should be fun.

 

[Bure80]

How can you compare the strength of NCAA to AHL?

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

I wish they would cancel it. It just devalues the olympic medals to have nobodies competing for the gold.

As opposed to all the other Olympics medals which will be won by household name superstars?

 

[Mehar]

These olympics are at the worst possible host country. THIS time it was the right time to pull out. Last olympics were the most stupid decision ever. Canadians are the biggest losers who won't see McDavid and Crosby play together.

Well said. I have no problem with the NHL not participating in this coming Olympics. As a Canadian, I thought the 2018 team they would have sent would have been the odds on favourite for Gold; and it would have been nice to see a potential 3 Peat in Olympic Gold. It would have been great to see McDavid-Crosby on the Olympic world stage 4 years gao. The 2018 decision stings a bit more now, with the decision to skip 2022.

 

[Macbanan]

As opposed to all the other Olympics medals which will be won by household name superstars?

Who cares if they are household or not? They will be won by one of the best athletes in their respective sports, after competing at the highest level.

Not because the best 200 athletes couldn't make it.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

Who cares if they are household or not? They will be won by one of the best athletes in their respective sports, after competing at the highest level.

Not because the best 200 athletes couldn't make it.

There are literally sports where pros cannot compete, and there are still plenty of guys who will be there this year that would be there no matter what.

 

[Beerfish]

People will scoff and think it is cheap until the country the root for does something and has a medal chance then they will be all in cheering.

 

[Silky Johnson]

So is the gold medal won by Sweden in 1994 worthless?

Maybe not worthless. Just not worth much.

 

[Silky Johnson]

When the Soviet Union was around, at least their brand of hockey made olys worth watching. But, today's Russia beating up on SHL, Liiga, DEL, NLA, Extraliga players is not my cup of tea.

When the Soviet Union was around, communist block counties made a mockery of the "Amatuer" rules. They should have all medal removed for cheating.

 

[FiLe]

Image if it track and field everyone who qualified personally for the Olympics, for some reason, was no longer going. And then each country was told... find someone else to fill their spot. I think that's what this feels like for NA fans.

It should be pointed out though that this is by no means the fault of the ones organizing the tournament. They were ready to welcome those same guys who had won those spots to compete. It was their own decision - or, well, rather a decision of the guys who pay their salaries - to decline the invite.

 

[Hanji]

When the Soviet Union was around, communist block counties made a mockery of the "Amatuer" rules. They should have all medal removed for cheating.

Countries like Sweden and Finland also sent their best. What, you think guys like Sven Tumba were amateurs?

 

[Silky Johnson]

Countries like Sweden and Finland also sent their best. What, you think guys like Sven Tumba were amateurs?

Then they are cheaters as well if it happened during the exclusively Amatuer era of the Olympics.

 

[Bures Elbow]

Looks at Canada's roster with NHL players.

Looks at Canada's current Olympic roster.

Yes, to say I'm disappointed would be an understatement.

I've only ever been able to watch hockey in the winter Olympics starting in 98 as that was while I was growing up, so 2018 was an eyeopener for me. Atleast the generation before me were able to watch Canada Cups etc to get best on best...we've been absolutely disrespected the previous 6 years.