the olympics with out the NHL will be a more meaningless tourney than the annual WC where half of the NHLers are able to participate...don't want...there is allready WC and WJC every year, no more place for anything besides a best on best in olympics, imo...
Should NHL Player Participate in 2018?
- Thread starter Duff35
- Start date
Yes they should. Olympics are the biggest sport-spectacle on this planet. Players wan't to represent their country in the Olympics because it's biggest honor you can get as a hockey player. Without Olympics there wouldn't be a international tournament where ALL best players can play for their countries at the same time and that would be ridiculous and huge blow for Ice-Hockey worldwide. That would also underline the statement how selfish NHL and it's owners are. Sure there could be World Cup but there's so many if's and buts...it would be played before season when all players aren't at their best shape. Also World Cup isn't such a big thing what Olympics are. We all have read and heard about different opinions. Especially many American hockey fans are whining with their NHL-team glasses on...."no no they could get injured, NHL is everything and all other c##p. Injuries are part of the game, deal with. This time there was bad luck for some players.
Let them play. It's best for the players and best for good old hockey worldwide.
Let them play. It's best for the players and best for good old hockey worldwide.
ayoshi
Registered User
- Nov 3, 2010
- 809
- 307
Definitely.
Once every 4 years there is a true best-on-best international ice hockey tournament. The "World Cup of Hockey" was a bit of a joke. Firstly, it was organized by the NHL and not the IIHF. How they chose the teams I have no idea, but only a IIHF sanctioned tournament can truly be global. Also, I think spreading the venues throughout the world is stupid. There was something super cool about seeing the best hockey players in the world compete at the Olympics in... Japan. Just like every other Olympic athlete. Or in Italy.
The players and the fans love Olympic hockey because it is a truly international best-on-best tournament, and it only happens once every 4 years.
Please don't f#!k it up Gary Bettman.
Once every 4 years there is a true best-on-best international ice hockey tournament. The "World Cup of Hockey" was a bit of a joke. Firstly, it was organized by the NHL and not the IIHF. How they chose the teams I have no idea, but only a IIHF sanctioned tournament can truly be global. Also, I think spreading the venues throughout the world is stupid. There was something super cool about seeing the best hockey players in the world compete at the Olympics in... Japan. Just like every other Olympic athlete. Or in Italy.
The players and the fans love Olympic hockey because it is a truly international best-on-best tournament, and it only happens once every 4 years.
Please don't f#!k it up Gary Bettman.
Astoria
#ILEquestrian
It would be a sad day if the NHL'ers were not allowed to represent their nation in the Olympics... They should most definitely be able to go.
Only North Americans think ppl would care the same about the World Cup. For the rest of the world a World Cup would be a tournament inferior to the Olympics. And after some topics at the olympics (NHL refs) noone would ever believe a World Cup to be a fair tournament vs. NA biased self display.
If the NHL wants to continue to claim to be the best league in the world they have to prove it and it only works by participating in the olympics.
JustOneB4IDie
Duel Cancer Survivor
And that's the reason the Overlords of the NHL won't go, they will revive World Cup in 2016 and Korea isn't exactly a Hockey hotbed.
By the way, I'll say NO on the NHL sending it's players to the 2018 games.
If the NHL players aren't in the Olympics, then the Olympic tournament will lose a lot of it's relevance. The Olympics should showcase the best players. Without NHLers there, what does the Gold medal winning team prove exactly? They didn't show that they are the best hockey nation. This is one reason I don't really get into the World Championships. I can watch the games because it's still hockey, but if Canada gets eliminated, it doesn't affect me much. Big deal, it's not our best players anyway.
I also don't get why people would say no to the NHL being in the Olympics with their reasoning being that the NHL doesn't make money off of it. Why does that matter to us, as fans?
The World Cup Of Hockey will not have and did not have nearly as much value and prestige as the Olympics do. I remember the 2004 World Cup was fun to watch, but at the end of it, I was like "what? They played all those games just to win that ugly trophy?". There is just not enough history and importance to it ever since Nagano 1998.
Burn your Canadian passport immediately.
I also don't get why people would say no to the NHL being in the Olympics with their reasoning being that the NHL doesn't make money off of it. Why does that matter to us, as fans?
The World Cup Of Hockey will not have and did not have nearly as much value and prestige as the Olympics do. I remember the 2004 World Cup was fun to watch, but at the end of it, I was like "what? They played all those games just to win that ugly trophy?". There is just not enough history and importance to it ever since Nagano 1998.
Burn your Canadian passport immediately.
Montreal Impact FC
.:| Champ's City |:.
I think the world cup thing the nhl is thinking is to put pressure to the olympic association to share some benefits... cause NHL'ers want to be part of it, Doubt there would be such a buzz for the other tournament.. NHL'ers will complain again... etc... at the end like another poster said the NHL still wins new international fans with all the people watching. players like the prestige and of course some olympics might be more complicated for the players but at the same time they may create a new market..
PoutineSp00nZ
Electricity is really just organized lightning.
World Cup, Olympics . .. 6 of one.
Different trophy, slightly different rules. Not much of a difference after that
Different trophy, slightly different rules. Not much of a difference after that
I like World Cup much more because of many reasons. On the other hand I understand that olympics are something special. But it's not like that I would be hating Battman for not going to Korea. He has his own reasons and I understand.
Jussi
Registered User
That would be waste of time. No other league gets any money from the Olympic revenue (of which the IOC only keeps 10%) either nor will they. The revenue goes to national Olympic Committees and sports federations that in turn keep the sports going.
tntkid
Fire Maurice & Chevy
The NHL should send players to the 2018 winter Olympics.
Countries should send their best athletes to compete even if they play in a pro league.
Countries should send their best athletes to compete even if they play in a pro league.
fireworks
Registered User
I would love to see them back in the Olympics. Because the Olympics is the absolute biggest stage for the best players/teams in a great tournament. I would think the players would love to compete in the Olympics every single time. The World Cup doesn't even come close IMHO.
But, it really comes down to $$$$ and the Owners don't make $$$$ with the Olympics. But, they can control the World Cup and make the almighty $$$$
But, it really comes down to $$$$ and the Owners don't make $$$$ with the Olympics. But, they can control the World Cup and make the almighty $$$$
Last edited:
Sleeper
Registered User
- Aug 10, 2007
- 286
- 0
Say the NHL refuses to go ... what is to stop say the 80 or so potential national team players from saying "sorry, I'm going regardless" the same way Ovechkin said he would in the lead-up to Sochi and the IOC facilitating with the insurance and stuff ...
I mean how would the league punish all of them? It's impossible from a marketing standpoint.
I mean how would the league punish all of them? It's impossible from a marketing standpoint.
Well, what stopped them from playing in the Olympics Pre-1998? I don't see any players leaving because USA Hockey and Hockey Canada wouldn't piss off NHL teams by selecting NHL players to the rosters. I also don't see Russian players like Ovechkin and Malkin leaving their teams midseason despite any threats they make.
Astoria
#ILEquestrian
I believe NHL players were not allowed to play in the Olympics because they were considered professional athletes, and before 1998, professional athletes were not allowed to participate in the Olympics.
Sort of a soulless response. The Olympics isn't just some dime-a-dozen competition that the NHL can magically replace with its own tournament.
Absolutely. If not would drouin have had to lead team Canada against kovy and radulov? Just seems to cheapen the tournament when it isn't best vs best.
It doesn't sound that absurd. Do you want to hand out a massive extension to Phil Kessel and then he breaks his leg playing at the Olympics and doesn't come back to your team for your playoff run?
Will not our professional athletes anyways..
Soviet full-time athletes were welcomed with open arms.
edog37
Registered User
