Sharks GM Mike Grier on Prague games: “Either we all go or no one goes.”

[Dr Pepper]

What a stance to take.

Might end up not working out too favourably for San Jose, but good on Grier for defending his players.

 

[HBK27]

No team would agree to go if their Russian players were banned.

 

[MXD]

...What do teams get out of going to Prague (or overseas more generally?)

 

[Dr Pepper]

No team would agree to go if their Russian players were banned.

Are the Preds going to release a similar statement? Not sure how many of theirs are affected by this either.

 

[MXD]

Are the Preds going to release a similar statement? Not sure how many of theirs are affected by this either.

Yakov Trenine at the very least.

 

[GM BoJack]

That's outrageous..

The Russians from the Sharks don't even dictate the war in Ukraine. They're not even participating in the war itself. It's ridiculous that every Russian is undeservedly getting blacklisted because of their nationality and their leader is a psycho.

 

[tarheelhockey]

...What do teams get out of going to Prague (or overseas more generally?)

From the team perspective, mainly just a cool experience. The European players might get to see family, they all get to travel and bond. For those who enjoy the attention, they get paid a lot of it by the league, media, and hosting organizations. It's a memorable experience compared to grinding through the regular schedule, and something they're likely to think about as a highlight of their career, kind of like an outdoor game or All Star game.

Other than that, it kind of sucks. Starting the season on jet lag is not ideal.

 

[MXD]

From the team perspective, mainly just a cool experience. The European players might get to see family, they all get to travel and bond. For those who enjoy the attention, they get paid a lot of it by the league, media, and hosting organizations. It's a memorable experience compared to grinding through the regular schedule, and something they're likely to think about as a highlight of their career, kind of like an outdoor game or All Star game.

Other than that, it kind of sucks. Starting the season on jet lag is not ideal.

...Yeah, and missing the bonding opportunity with players missing is not ideal, and I totally understand why Mike Grier doesn't any player left behind.

It kinda sucks for Tomas Hertl I guess. I mean, he's probably a significant reason why the Sharks chosen in the first place, and I suppose Grier did raise the point with Hertl. Or at least I hope he did, otherwise that's a serious professionnal mistake.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Big fan of this choice. This is real leadership

 

[tarheelhockey]

...Yeah, and missing the bonding opportunity with players missing is not ideal, and I totally understand why Mike Grier doesn't any player left behind.

It kinda sucks for Tomas Hertl I guess. I mean, he's probably a significant reason why the Sharks chosen in the first place, and I suppose Grier did raise the point with Hertl. Or at least I hope he did, otherwise that's a serious professionnal mistake.

Grier is in a tough position with this one. In some respect, he's doubling-down on team identity which I can respect.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

which teams are set to go to Prague, anyway? I know the Rangers would get hit hard if no Russians

 

[ChickenDinner]

Respect to Grier. Winner winner.

The players have nothing to do with the situation in Ukraine.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Are the Preds going to release a similar statement? Not sure how many of theirs are affected by this either.

Hm, I say WE'RE GOING! And take the 4 pts, thanks Grier.

 

[Dr Pepper]

which teams are set to go to Prague, anyway? I know the Rangers would get hit hard if no Russians

Sharks vs. Preds in Czechia

Avs vs. Jackets in Finland

I think that's it.

 

[ChaoticOrange]

No team would agree to go if their Russian players were banned.

you guys have Russian players?

 

[Three On Zero]

Respect to Grier, right stance to take

 

[Steerpike]

Respect to Grier. Winner winner.

The players have nothing to do with the situation in Ukraine.

Yeah. It's different from an international tournament where you could reasonably say that Russian athletes are a propaganda tool of the state. Russian players playing on American teams visiting Europe to show off the NHL is much closer to a PSA for the West.

 

[jfhabs]

Kind of stupid to punish the individuals... it's not the same as Russian teams IMO.
The only benefits of going there are for the NHL and the hockey fans in Prague, not Russia, the Russians on the team or the Sharks.

 

[MXD]

Yeah. It's different from an international tournament where you could reasonably say that Russian athletes are a propaganda tool of the state. Russian players playing on American teams visiting Europe to show off the NHL is much closer to a PSA for the West.

Kind of stupid to punish the individuals... it's not the same as Russian teams IMO.
The only benefits of going there are for the NHL and the hockey fans in Prague, not Russia, the Russians on the team or the Sharks.

I'm pretty sure the measure doesn't specifically target Russian hockey players and would target all Russian nationals who aren't otherwise residents of Czechia.

Hockey players here would be collaterals.

 

[Rengorlex]

That's outrageous..

The Russians from the Sharks don't even dictate the war in Ukraine. They're not even participating in the war itself. It's ridiculous that every Russian is undeservedly getting blacklisted because of their nationality and their leader is a psycho.

It's not about what they have done, it's about causing pressure on Putin and Russia through restrictions on Russian citizens.

Tough luck. Not going to feel sorry for them.

 

[jfhabs]

I'm pretty sure the measure doesn't specifically target Russian hockey players and would target all Russian nationals who aren't otherwise residents of Czechia.

Hockey players here would be collaterals.

Ok that make sense, the way I read it was : specifically the Russian players on the Sharks/Preds.
Time of war in Europe, these countries fear being next.

 

[Belloco]

Grier is right. The principle of exclusion is a gear. And then there have been many other wars over the past 20 years and Czechia has never excluded anyone.

Afterwards, we shouldn't complain to see countries in the Middle East boycotting Israeli athletes.

Sport should unite, not divide.

 

[Oilslick941611]

Ok that make sense, the way I read it was : specifically the Russian players on the Sharks/Preds.
Time of war in Europe, these countries fear being next.

Justifiably so as well.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Based

 

[MXD]

Ok that make sense, the way I read it was : specifically the Russian players on the Sharks/Preds.
Time of war in Europe, these countries fear being next.

That would indeed make no sense whatsoever if that was the case and I'm assuming the refusal to deliver visas is/will be a measure extended to all Russian nationals who aren't otherwise residents.

(Because, yeah, Russian Athletes living in the US is a really odd place to start this refusal to issue)