Olympics: What does your nations roster look like if NHLers don't go?

[Husqvarna]

Finland will kick you back to yesterday. No matter what. Finland teams are always ... rather pure evil and skillful. And that Jukka Jalonen-style.

 

[Husqvarna]

sweden has won something like 5 of 8 games against finland in EHT. and sweden won over finland in og 2018. finland is not unbeatable

Well, if cheating and to find a easy way out to win of tournament then Sweden is the perfect example; never ever I'seen a more rutten bad apple example then that the Swedes did in Turin 2006. Urk.

Förbundet utreder "läggmatchen" - igen

 

[Czechboy]

i was just pointing out the fact that there is a rather large part of the hockey world that loves the sport without a single tought about which "tier" is the hockey they love to watch.

You make a good point here.. I have 2 friends in Toronto that probably couldn't tell you 10 guys on the Leafs. However, their kids are quite good at hockey and are select players that travel around. AA and AAA... age range from 8 to 15.

When I get together with them.. they talk NON STOP about their kids, the refs, the coach and the hockey that they watch a LOT of.

Now, i could care less about AA girls hockey for 12 year olds (would be different if I had one) but I can't imagine telling them that their kids play in junk leagues and it's not the NHL.lol And these parents watch more hockey than 98% of the population.

 

[Puck Dogg]

Beer League USA.

Bobby Ryan prior Christmas said he'd be interested but was worried about quarantines.

 

[Silky Johnson]

The NHL season was not at risk due to olympics so I don't know why the players would think that way. There was a break scheduled already, and those postponed games that are going to be played over the olympic break. The players representing their countries could have been replaced by taxi squad guys for those few games and keep the season running exactly the same as it is going to run now. Nothing about the olympics was standing in the way of completing it. They just would have needed to endure some prospects for a few games instead of the few stars each team would lose for a month.

The NHL season is definitely at risk. And no. Just no, to playing games without the Olympic bound players. That would never fly. NEVER.

Here is my multiple choice question for you.

"If the players really wanted to go to the Olympics the why did the NHLPA agree not to."

1. The NHL is controlled by a cabal of anti IOC/IIHF reactionaries that use a MKUltra like program to force the players to vote for them dispite their overwhelming desire to participate in the Olympics.

2. The NHLPA actually wanted to go but Gary Bettman kidnapped all of their children to and blackmailed them into agreeing to not go because of a childhood dispute with Luc Tardif.

3. The NHLPA agreed to not attend the Olympics because of the large number of coronavirus related cancellations and the uncertainty caused by the Omicron variant. They were sad about it but realised that three straight years of non-standard NHL seasons would be a bad thing.

I really hope the correct answer is 2.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Well, if cheating and to find a easy way out to win of tournament then Sweden is the perfect example; never ever I'seen a more rutten bad apple example then that the Swedes did in Turin 2006. Urk.

Förbundet utreder "läggmatchen" - igen

I remember when Finland cheated in OG 2014 to get a bronze medal.

 

[Marioesque]

The NHL season is definitely at risk. And no. Just no, to playing games without the Olympic bound players. That would never fly. NEVER.

They were going to have a full break. How would that fly, but replacing a few players for a few games with up and coming prospects would not?

Explain how that logic goes?

No games vs games with some of your teams future stars. How does no games fly, but the replacing of a few guys does not. I don't get it. From what perspective does it not fly? Whose perspective?

"If the players really wanted to go to the Olympics the why did the NHLPA agree not to."

1. The NHL is controlled by a cabal of anti IOC/IIHF reactionaries that use a MKUltra like program to force the players to vote for them dispite their overwhelming desire to participate in the Olympics.

2. The NHLPA actually wanted to go but Gary Bettman kidnapped all of their children to and blackmailed them into agreeing to not go because of a childhood dispute with Luc Tardif.

3. The NHLPA agreed to not attend the Olympics because of the large number of coronavirus related cancellations and the uncertainty caused by the Omicron variant. They were sad about it but realised that three straight years of non-standard NHL seasons would be a bad thing.

I really hope the correct answer is 2.

I was not behind the scenes and do not have the information, but clearly players were not on board with it. The players may have been mislead by their representatives but clearly they were not in the loop about accepting this cancellation.

 

[Silky Johnson]

Finland is Finland.

Probably the best metal and hockey land in the world - per capita that is.

Nice so.

So don't even try jump on us (Finland) on with your NHL-second tier teams (Canada) in the Worldchampionships.

METAL FROM FINLAND - Still the best Metal in the world

Canada - 38 WHC Gold (inc. 11 womens)
Finland - 3 WHC Gold

Canada - 9 Best on Best Wins
Finland - 0 Best on Best wins

Canada - 13 Olympic gold (inc. 4 womens)
Finland - 0 Olympic gold

Thats 57-3 in Major Senior international wins.

We jump where we want.

 

[Silky Johnson]

They were going to have a full break. How would that fly, but replacing a few players for a few games with up and coming prospects would not?

Explain how that logic goes?

No games vs games with some of your teams future stars. How does no games fly, but the replacing of a few guys does not. I don't get it. From what perspective does it not fly? Whose perspective?




I was not behind the scenes and do not have the information, but clearly players were not on board with it. The players may have been mislead by their representatives but clearly they were not in the loop about accepting this cancellation.

No. The logic is very clear. Having games without Olympic bound players is not evenly applied to all teams. Some teams have more or less. It would put the season into disrepute with the fans, media, everyone. IT IS COMPLETELY SELF EVIDENT THAT THIS WOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN.

You also don't seem to know how players unions work. There are player representatives from every team who are PLAYERS. They let the NHLPA know how the players feel on issues like this. What possible incentive does the NHLPA have to go against the players wishes? They hate their jobs and want to be fired?

Who are these countless dissatisfied player you speak of?

 

[Czechboy]

The NHL season is definitely at risk. And no. Just no, to playing games without the Olympic bound players. That would never fly. NEVER.

Lots of those Olympic bound players aren't playing now... Mathews and McDavid both out with Covid... I think matthews is back tonight but my Oil are missing most of their best players (and they only have about 5 to begin with) due to Covid protocol.. and an assistant coach.

This is happening everywhere...

NHL COVID-19 Tracker: Monitoring outbreaks across the league

As a guy who fellows fringe Czechs.. this is the most that have played at least 1 game in the NHL and it's not becasue the Czechs are getting better. League easily has 100 AHL players in it right now.

 

[Marioesque]

No. The logic is very clear. Having games without Olympic bound players is not evenly applied to all teams. Some teams have more or less. It would put the season into disrepute with the fans, media, everyone. IT IS COMPLETELY SELF EVIDENT THAT THIS WOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN.

That's not logically clear, that is just you repeating that this would not be allowed to happen. Why not? Why would they allow an olympic break to happen but NOT allow players who go represent their country to be replaced by prospects? Why does it "fly" that McDavid will be replaced by someone for the next few games because he has covid, but if his reason for absence was "representing country", that would be impossible to do?

You need to explain this a little instead of just repeating how you feel about it. Who would prevent that from happening and why, what motivation is behind that? Why would a full olympic break be better than no break but some players replaced by supporting cast?

NHL can't have a month where some players are replaced by lesser talent, but the rest of the hockey world can go without seeing the best on best for 8 years and suck it? Is that the message here?

Too much to ask, eh?

Who are these countless dissatisfied player you speak of?

I have seen Marchand, McDavid, Teravainen, Crosby, Landeskog, Lehner, Zibanejad, Barkov, Rantanen, Hakanpaa, Stamkos and many others. Those are just the ones that I saw on video yesterday. There's plenty more. I have not seen any players who have said this is good.

Where are the players saying they didn't want to go? You should find me some of those if your claim is that players are in sync with NHL's decision.

 

[Czechboy]

Canada - 38 WHC Gold (inc. 11 womens)
Finland - 3 WHC Gold

Canada - 9 Best on Best Wins
Finland - 0 Best on Best wins

Canada - 13 Olympic gold (inc. 4 womens)
Finland - 0 Olympic gold

Thats 57-3 in Major Senior international wins.

We jump where we want.

The women's stats were necessary in this?lol

FTR... Finn women were robbed against US very recently.

 

[Czechboy]

Bobby Ryan prior Christmas said he'd be interested but was worried about quarantines.

I'm actualy thinking Canada will have a good team.. some good names and Dubnyk could be a game stealer.

 

[Silky Johnson]

You make a good point here.. I have 2 friends in Toronto that probably couldn't tell you 10 guys on the Leafs. However, their kids are quite good at hockey and are select players that travel around. AA and AAA... age range from 8 to 15.

When I get together with them.. they talk NON STOP about their kids, the refs, the coach and the hockey that they watch a LOT of.

Now, i could care less about AA girls hockey for 12 year olds (would be different if I had one) but I can't imagine telling them that their kids play in junk leagues and it's not the NHL.lol And these parents watch more hockey than 98% of the population.

There is a significant difference here and you know it.

I watch ALOT of my kids rugby, I talk about the refs, the coaches and the games. I watch alot more rugby than 99.9% of the population. I am not really a rugby fan but rather a fan of my kids. If they stop playing rugby I stop watching.

There are lots of reasons to watch a sport. Nationalism, civic pride, love of the game, group solidarity or a connection to the participants.

When I talk about true fans, and I mean fanatics of a sport, I would like to think that quality of the game comes into play at least somewhat.

Someone who watches only the Olympics or World Championships is a casual observer in my books. Just like I am a casual observer of many Olympic events. I get excited when my country does well for nationalistic reasons but I am not a fanatic of the 4 man bobsled.

 

[Silky Johnson]

Lots of those Olympic bound players aren't playing now... Mathews and McDavid both out with Covid... I think matthews is back tonight but my Oil are missing most of their best players (and they only have about 5 to begin with) due to Covid protocol.. and an assistant coach.

This is happening everywhere...

NHL COVID-19 Tracker: Monitoring outbreaks across the league

As a guy who fellows fringe Czechs.. this is the most that have played at least 1 game in the NHL and it's not becasue the Czechs are getting better. League easily has 100 AHL players in it right now.

I am aware. That is due to illness. It is 100% different. It also cannot be helped. Injuries and illness are always part if the game. This year just more so.

Are you saying that you think that NHL fans, owners and media would except playing games simultaneously with the Olympics?,

 

[Czechboy]

fanatic of the 4 man bobsled.

I'll gvie you that for sure.. when Olympics hit all of a sudden I'm a Judo fan because of Lukas Krpalek.lol Or a 5000 M long track speed skating fan becuase of Martina Sablikova.

2 sports I'd never watched before!

 

[Czechboy]

I am aware. That is due to illness. It is 100% different. It also cannot be helped. Injuries and illness are always part if the game. This year just more so.

Are you saying that you think that NHL fans, owners and media would except playing games simultaneously with the Olympics?,

This season as a once in a lifetime pandemic sort of thing.. yes to NHL fans and media. Definitely not the owners. I also don't think I'll see that in my lifetime.

We are already watching what those games will look like to be honest... look at the rosters for tonights games (if they aren't alrady postponed).

Woudl I want that to be the norm.. not at all.

Does it favor countries without Olympic stars.. yes, for 3 weeks.

 

[Silky Johnson]

That's not logically clear, that is just you repeating that this would not be allowed to happen. Why not? Why would they allow an olympic break to happen but NOT allow players who go represent their country to be replaced by prospects? Why does it "fly" that McDavid will be replaced by someone for the next few games because he has covid, but if his reason for absence was "representing country", that would be impossible to do?

You need to explain this a little instead of just repeating how you feel about it. Who would prevent that from happening and why, what motivation is behind that? Why would a full olympic break be better than no break but some players replaced by supporting cast?

NHL can't have a month where some players are replaced by lesser talent, but the rest of the hockey world can go without seeing the best on best for 8 years and suck it? Is that the message here?

Too much to ask, eh?



I have seen Marchand, McDavid, Teravainen, Crosby, Landeskog, Lehner, Zibanejad, Barkov, Rantanen, Hakanpaa, Stamkos and many others. Those are just the ones that I saw on video yesterday. There's plenty more. I have not seen any players who have said this is good.

Where are the players saying they didn't want to go? You should find me some of those if your claim is that players are in sync with NHL's decision.

I did say why. I said because it is unevenly applied across the teams. It is unfair by design. Players getting sick may be uneven in its impact but it is not unfair, its unfortunate. Its something you don't want to happen. That's no where near the same thing as missing games on purpose.

Also, rewatch those interviews. Those players are saying they are disappointed about missing the Olympics, outside of Marchand and maybe a couple other they are not questioning the decision not to go. Its not like any people are happy about the decision.

I don't need to find quotes for the players. I have the documented opinion of their literal representatives. The NHLPA is there to speak & negotiate for the players. The players reps could LITERALY force a vote if that was the majority opinion of the players.

 

[Puck Dogg]

I'm actualy thinking Canada will have a good team.. some good names and Dubnyk could be a game stealer.

Never can count them out but they look at the moment like underdogs. The confirmed longer list of potential players for Canada is here:

Owen Power to join Canada's Olympic team; Cole Perfetti, Eric Staal among those on long list: Source

 

[Silky Johnson]

The women's stats were necessary in this?lol

FTR... Finn women were robbed against US very recently.

Not necessarily to show Canada's dominance. Necessary because is happened.

 

[Marioesque]

I did say why. I said because it is unevenly applied across the teams. It is unfair by design. Players getting sick may be uneven in its impact but it is not unfair, its unfortunate. Its something you don't want to happen. That's no where near the same thing as missing games on purpose.

Also, rewatch those interviews. Those players are saying they are disappointed about missing the Olympics, outside of Marchand and maybe a couple other they are not questioning the decision not to go. Its not like any people are happy about the decision.

I don't need to find quotes for the players. I have the documented opinion of their literal representatives. The NHLPA is there to speak & negotiate for the players. The players reps could LITERALY force a vote if that was the majority opinion of the players.

Injuries and covid are just as unfair and uneven but NHL has fixed that with taxi squad. Same solution that replaces covid protocol players could be used to play through Olympics and let players go.

Your excuse would fly if they were refusing to use backups for covid protocol players.

 

[Silky Johnson]

Injuries and covid are just as unfair and uneven but NHL has fixed that with taxi squad. Same solution that replaces covid protocol players could be used to play through Olympics and let players go.

No. Covid impact uneven, but this is life. It is not unfair. It is not by design that the best players are getting covid. It would be by design that the best players are going to the Olympics. Teams with more of these best players would be impacted more. That is definitionaly unfair.

 

[Marioesque]

No. Covid impact uneven, but this is life. It is not unfair. It is not by design that the best players are getting covid. It would be by design that the best players are going to the Olympics. Teams with more of these best players would be impacted more. That is definitionaly unfair.

Which teams would suffer disproportionately from Olympics?

 

[Lambo]

Apologies. I felt like I was responding to the posters claim about himself, that he does not watch hockey for the quality but rather to watch his national team. It truly was not meant as an insult.

That being said, I have been called many insulting things on these boards, in this thread even. I didn't notice you or anyone else call that out...

I also don't care because this is a hockey forum and nothing said here could possibly upset me.

You already know that Finland has only been a candidate for a medal since the 90s? And they also know that the USSR won many, many gold medals on tournaments without NHL-players. Since the collapse of the USSR everything has become more evenly balanced. Finland was also strong in the "Best on Best" tournaments. There was no gold, but they were absolutely competitive. If you know the example of Germany, I mean something else. Since ice hockey is a marginal sport and "parallel societies" have developed because of the NHL, other impressions arise. It's about perception. Not for knowledge! In Germany the "Best on Best" tournaments have long been forgotten. That goes very quickly, especially with fringe sports. The Olympic silver 18 is just as important in Germany as an Olympic silver with NHL participation. In contrast to football, before we always have tournaments where all the stars are present (except for the Olympics), this situation hardly exists in ice hockey. Thanks NHL! These disparities in ice hockey (hardly "Best on Best" tournaments) also cause misinformation. If Germany or Switzerland are good and Canada and USA should beat again and again, then you will see each other at eye level in the long term. Because there are fewer and fewer "real" tournaments that could prove the opposite.

 

[Silky Johnson]

This season as a once in a lifetime pandemic sort of thing.. yes to NHL fans and media. Definitely not the owners. I also don't think I'll see that in my lifetime.

We are already watching what those games will look like to be honest... look at the rosters for tonights games (if they aren't alrady postponed).

Woudl I want that to be the norm.. not at all.

Does it favor countries without Olympic stars.. yes, for 3 weeks.

When I say fans, I mean NHL fans. The impact on the NHL season doesn't pertain to non-NHL hockey fans.

I am always shocked by the number of NHL fans who don't want the NHL to take a break and participate in the first place. I am certainly not one of them. But if you add them to the people who don't want simultaneous games with the Olympics I think you would find an easy majority.

Not to mention the fans of teams that have a losing streak during that period. Ugh. They would be talking what ifs for ever. No thank you.