When double standards exist, the IIHF becomes nothing more than a political entity pushing certain political agendas over others. The main focus ceases to be about hockey all.
I was surprised too. I was positive they weren't going the worlds in Sweden. I thought Olympic decision was next. Then the next World's. They banned them for the first and third event and left the middle one open to more meetings. Thought that was strange.The right people are mad, so it's probably the right decision, but...
Why 2 years?
No matter which way you spin it, any comment in this thread is political. If you celebrate this decision or deride it....it is political.
This is such a lie. Everyone has noticed the weaker quality. If you say you haven’t, you are flat out lying to yourself.Theres been very good WCH and WJC tournaments in recent years uprise of Czechs have replaced Russia so havent really noticed level of competiteveness getting weaker. I think Olympics will be amazing hockey and Russias absence wont matter much at all.
The right people are mad, so it's probably the right decision, but...
Why 2 years?
Can you give some arguments for your allegation?Pretty much expected.
The IIHF has tranformed itself into a political tool for its more influential members.
I hate** to be a pedant, but the IIHF is made up national hockey federations which, while they may be funded in whole or in part by the government of the nations they represent, they are not actually representing those governments.An international organization composed of representatives of nation-states is a political entity?
And there's no way Finland, Sweden and Czhechia would agree to play even with a "neutral athletes from Russia" team in it. You basically lose most other teams. But the bigger issue is going to be NHL's insistence on only NHL players as Gord Miller hinted at in a podcast.Correct decision. No amount of coping and seething from Russia will change this.
Hockey is fun. WJC, WCH and the Olympics are all fun tourneys to follow.
World Championships isn’t that big of a deal because realistically it’s not as important as the Olympics and probably even the yearly junior events.
This is such a lie. Everyone has noticed the weaker quality. If you say you haven’t, you are flat out lying to yourself.
Do Czechs probably enjoy it more? Yeah, but even they will acknowledge it weakens the field without Russia.
No matter which way you spin it, any comment in this thread is political. If you celebrate this decision or deride it....it is political.
I prefer a variety which includes Vodka. I wonder how many here would enjoy including Vodka in the list of spirits?Indeed.
"Let's discuss our favorite whiskies, but you're only allowed to talk about ones that have no alcohol."
These nations will do what the U.S.A tell them to. Make no mistake about itAnd there's no way Finland, Sweden and Czhechia would agree to play even with a "neutral athletes from Russia" team in it. You basically lose most other teams. But the bigger issue is going to be NHL's insistence on only NHL players as Gord Miller hinted at in a podcast.
That's not how it works.These nations will do what the U.S.A tell them to. Make no mistake about it
The right people are mad, so it's probably the right decision, but...
Why 2 years?
...I'm just hoping that Demidov gets his Canadian Citizenship quickly when he comes over next year...