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

[Marioesque]

That was total viewers in Finland. Canada AVERAGED 16.5 million viewers for the entire 2010 gold medal game. I can't find the total viewer numbers but I expect it is significantly higher. Add the to the 27 million AVERAGE viewers in the US. At least these 43.5 Million people got to see hockey that is better quality than the average NHL game.

Maybe the poor (relative to the NHL) quality of European hockey leagues makes fans more excited about non-best on best International hockey.

What I can tell you is you won't see 43.5 Million AVERAGE viewers in North America (the majority of the world hockey market) for this years Olympic gold medal game. Maybe 10-15% of that. So when I say people don't care, its a relative thing.

Then you could say that the average North American people don't care, which is accurate. Because people includes more than just them, even though many do not think so.

I don't think they want to be watching secondary stars, but they enjoy the best level hockey they are offered and in an international tournament. If it was best on best the commitment would be even bigger.

 

[Silky Johnson]

Then you could say that the average North American people don't care, which is accurate. Because people includes more than just them, even though many do not think so.

I don't think they want to be watching secondary stars, but they enjoy the best level hockey they are offered and in an international tournament. If it was best on best the commitment would be even bigger.

I'm saying North America, which is the MAJORITY of the global hockey market in terms of revenue, players and fans, don't really care that much about non-best on best hockey, particularly the World Championships.

Europeans sadly care more for non best on best international hockey mostly because its better than the fourth tier hockey that is available to them in their home leagues. In NA there 1312 NHL games a year that are a higher quality then most world championships.

I say sadly because the IIHF has allowed International hockey to become broken. These third tier "World Class" tournaments are really quite sad.

 

[Marioesque]

I'm saying North America, which is the MAJORITY of the global hockey market in terms of revenue, players and fans, don't really care that much about non-best on best hockey, particularly the World Championships.

Europeans sadly care more for non best on best international hockey mostly because its better than the fourth tier hockey that is available to them in their home leagues. In NA there 1312 NHL games a year that are a higher quality then most world championships.

I say sadly because the IIHF has allowed International hockey to become broken. These third tier "World Class" tournaments are really quite sad.

Is IIHF the entity holding back best on best tournaments? Or the NHL because I have never seen IIHF oppose it, just NHL.

 

[Puck Dogg]

Europeans sadly care more for non best on best international hockey mostly because its better than the fourth tier hockey that is available to them in their home leagues. In NA there 1312 NHL games a year that are a higher quality then most world championships.

Europeans in general don't get overly exited about World Championships. Its mainly Russia and Finland where the tournament matters and its more about patriotism (some might even say nationalism) than actual level of play. In Sweden for example their home tournament drew mediocre attendance.

In -95 Finland when won their first World Championship and the entire country went completely nuts. General public who gets most exited can't tell the difference between McDavid or McKim, latter being the leading scorer of -95 World Championships where NHL players didn't even participate in due lockout season. It really has not much to do with being used to certain level of play as they don't consider such nuances. All that matters is that Finland wins.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Team Canada -
Forwards

Lunch Bucket- Lunch Bucket - Lunch Bucket
Lunch Bucket- Lunch Bucket - Lunch Bucket
Lunch Bucket- Lunch Bucket - Lunch Bucket
Lunch Bucket- Lunch Bucket - Lunch Bucket

Defensemen
Lunch Bucket - Lunch Bucket
Lunch Bucket- Lunch Bucket
Lunch Bucket- Lunch Bucket

Goalie
Lunch Bucket

you are making the same joke 1 million did before you. how original

 

[Urbanskog]

Europeans in general don't get overly exited about World Championships. Its mainly Russia and Finland where the tournament matters and its more about patriotism (some might even say nationalism) than actual level of play. In Sweden for example their home tournament drew mediocre attendance.

It's certainly a big deal in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland and Latvia at the very minimum, but probably in Belarus as well. Germany is also a large market due to its population even if the tournament isn't watched by a particularly high share of the population. It's without a doubt more popular in Finland than in Sweden, but even then it's not exactly a niche event there either. Not sure what you hope to accomplish with such dishonesty.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

Worst on worst hockey, baby.

 

[Czechboy]

you are making the same joke 1 million did before you. how original

Some potential names... They already strike me as stronger than the last bronze team... They won't be pushovers and I will watch all of it

 

[wetcoast]

That was total viewers in Finland. Canada AVERAGED 16.5 million viewers for the entire 2010 gold medal game. I can't find the total viewer numbers but I expect it is significantly higher. Add the to the 27 million AVERAGE viewers in the US. At least these 43.5 Million people got to see hockey that is better quality than the average NHL game.

Maybe the poor (relative to the NHL) quality of European hockey leagues makes fans more excited about non-best on best International hockey.

What I can tell you is you won't see 43.5 Million AVERAGE viewers in North America (the majority of the world hockey market) for this years Olympic gold medal game. Maybe 10-15% of that. So when I say people don't care, its a relative thing.

I remember the 2010 gold medal game as I had to drive from the burbs to pick someone up who was working at the Olympics and the entire drive was like an apocalypse had occurred the streets were literally empty and it was eerily noticeable.

There were so few cars, people or even signs of life on the drive it was very unsettling.

I drive alot for work and pleasure so it was very noticeable to me.

 

[Silky Johnson]

I remember the 2010 gold medal game as I had to drive from the burbs to pick someone up who was working at the Olympics and the entire drive was like an apocalypse had occurred the streets were literally empty and it was eerily noticeable.

There were so few cars, people or even signs of life on the drive it was very unsettling.

I drive alot for work and pleasure so it was very noticeable to me.

I was working on the Olympics and was watching the game live that night. My non-Canadian and non-Hockey fan wife was back in Eastern Canada with the kids I remember calling her between periods and finding her freaked out after she went for a walk downtown and it was completely empty. She thought some nation disaster or war had broken out.

 

[frapp10]

So can teams send down players who don’t require waivers and they can go? Say Caufield or Stutzle want to go for example and their teams don’t need them right now anyways is that possible?

 

[Silky Johnson]

Is IIHF the entity holding back best on best tournaments? Or the NHL because I have never seen IIHF oppose it, just NHL.

Last time I checked the IIHF's job to make international hockey happen. Conversely the NHL's mandate is to make NHL hockey happen. How can they be at fault generally for something that is not their responsibility?

Is it disappointing that best on best hockey will not be happening at the Olympics? Yes of course.

Do I blame the NHL for prioritising their Season? Hell no!. Lets not forget that the players (of all countries) as a group agreed through the NHLPA.

International hockey is a mess. Its squarely the IIHF's job/responsibility.

 

[Czechboy]

More Canadian options.. not sure how Ho Sang could go though if he is in AHL?

This team is looking like it might be quite good!

 

[peconcan]

More Canadian options.. not sure how Ho Sang could go though if he is in AHL?

This team is looking like it might be quite good!

Pretty sure guys on AHL deals are allowed to go. They were in 2018 anyway.

 

[Czechboy]

Pretty sure guys on AHL deals are allowed to go. They were in 2018 anyway.

Is it AHL only deals?

 

[peconcan]

Is it AHL only deals?

Yes AHL 1 way deals so example Ho Sang would be okay to go but say Robertson wouldn’t be able to since he’s on a NHL 2way deal.

 

[Czechboy]

Yes AHL 1 way deals so example Ho Sang would be okay to go but say Robertson wouldn’t be able to since he’s on a NHL 2way deal.

Thank you.. if I'm being honest.. I thought Ho Sang had more than a 1 way hence my confusion.

 

[morkkis35]

Yes AHL 1 way deals so example Ho Sang would be okay to go but say Robertson wouldn’t be able to since he’s on a NHL 2way deal.

Isn't Cole Perfetti on a 2 way deal? How can (could) he be on the list?

 

[Gold Standard]

Isn't Cole Perfetti on a 2 way deal? How can (could) he be on the list?

If Cole Perfetti is still bound to his CHL player agreement and only "on loan" to his NHL's affiliate AHL team, then it makes sense he would be on the list. Even though he has a NHL 2-way deal, it hasn't kicked in yet.

but I'm only guessing. could be wrong. won't be the first time.

 

[Marioesque]

Lets not forget that the players (of all countries) as a group agreed through the NHLPA.

Let's not forget they agreed to go to the olympics and NHL pulled the rug from under them, and the players are not happy.

Let's not pretend that facts of the matter are different than they are. Even if you are an NHL apologist.

 

[Deevo]

If Cole Perfetti is still bound to his CHL player agreement and only "on loan" to his NHL's affiliate AHL team, then it makes sense he would be on the list. Even though he has a NHL 2-way deal, it hasn't kicked in yet.

but I'm only guessing. could be wrong. won't be the first time.

How about Krebs? No longer on loan and has spent time in the NHL this year.

 

[wetcoast]

I was working on the Olympics and was watching the game live that night. My non-Canadian and non-Hockey fan wife was back in Eastern Canada with the kids I remember calling her between periods and finding her freaked out after she went for a walk downtown and it was completely empty. She thought some nation disaster or war had broken out.

This was exactly what it was like in 3 suburbs and the city of Vancouver on the drive down.

 

[Gold Standard]

How about Krebs? No longer on loan and has spent time in the NHL this year.

Sorry, can't help you out on that one. I see no reason why Krebs would be on that list.

 

[Shawn Heins 44]

Europeans sadly care more for non best on best international hockey mostly because its better than the fourth tier hockey that is available to them in their home leagues. In NA there 1312 NHL games a year that are a higher quality then most world championships.

Not true, at least for me and a couple of people I talked to over here in Switzerland. We care for it because:
1. we like seeing our NT play
2. The World Championships are played on primetime over here in Europe and the NHL and World Cup are mostly after midnight, so you will never get great viewership in Europe except for hardcore fans. Maybe if they organised a best-on-best World Cup every other year played in NA and then in Europe it would become more interesting, but as long as these games are at 1am you won't get much interest over here.

I never once thought I will tune in to watch great hockey, I watch it because I love seeing my nation compete with our friends from abroad, the quality - while I hope is good - is secondary.

 

[Lambo]

I'm saying North America, which is the MAJORITY of the global hockey market in terms of revenue, players and fans, don't really care that much about non-best on best hockey, particularly the World Championships.

Europeans sadly care more for non best on best international hockey mostly because its better than the fourth tier hockey that is available to them in their home leagues. In NA there 1312 NHL games a year that are a higher quality then most world championships.

I say sadly because the IIHF has allowed International hockey to become broken. These third tier "World Class" tournaments are really quite sad.

Global hockey market? Is there such a thing at all? We're still talking about a marginal sport here. If the NHL wanted to expand its market, it would have to release its players to every IIHF World Cup every year. So that every year people can see the stars and their ice hockey skills. This is the only way for the NHL to expand its market. Because the NHL is not watched that much in Europe. You also underestimate the European leagues. See the World Cup title Finland won in 2019. This is a teaching example.