World Cup Boycott

[Urbanskog]

The Olympic hockey tournament will not be a junior tournament. Other leagues would still release their players, the NHL does not dictate the sport.

 

[JackSlater]

The Olympic hockey tournament will not be a junior tournament. Other leagues would still release their players, the NHL does not dictate the sport.

It won't be a junior tournament, but it will be a pointless tournament. If essentially all of the best players miss the Olympic tournament its significance is gone.

 

[1Gold Standard]

It won't be a junior tournament, but it will be a pointless tournament. If essentially all of the best players miss the Olympic tournament its significance is gone.

For the past few weekends I've wasted a few morning hours trying to put together a Team Canada roster minus NHLers, but assuming AHL players would be eligible.

So scanning AHL/Euro leagues/NCAA/CHL... still working on it, but it's not looking all that appealing to be honest. not something that would garner much interest from me as appointment viewing hockey. I'd take a pass. If you're interested, I'll send it to you when it's finished.

so, I'll take a pass on the World Cup because of the gimmicks. and I'll take a pass on any Olympics that doesn't involve the NHL.

 

[Jussi]

It won't be a junior tournament, but it will be a pointless tournament. If essentially all of the best players miss the Olympic tournament its significance is gone.

Was it insignificant in 1994?

 

[1Gold Standard]

Was it insignificant in 1994?

I didn't tune in... I was happy they made the final of course...but I was busy doing other things during the GMG.

1992 I watched because of 1 player, Eric Lindros.

I never was really all that interested in any Olympic hockey tournament until 1998. The one exception being 1992. In fact, I'm not a fan of the Olympics summer/winter at all. but if NHL players participate, I'll watch, if not, then I won't.

 

[kabidjan18]

The Olympic hockey tournament will not be a junior tournament. Other leagues would still release their players, the NHL does not dictate the sport.

Will other leagues go without the IOC paying travel fees/insurance?

 

[jj cale]

Was it insignificant in 1994?

It wasn't insignificant in Canada in 1994 because people were under the assumption that pros would never be allowed to be used.

But with the pros now having been there and won, going back to the old ******** will seriously lower the interest to all time levels in Canada at least.

I sure hope the NHL gets it's head out of it's ass and participates because if they don't the olympic hockey tournament is going to be a joke worse then this world cup.

 

[jj cale]

I didn't tune in... I was happy they made the final of course...but I was busy doing other things during the GMG.

1992 I watched because of 1 player, Eric Lindros.

I never was really all that interested in any Olympic hockey tournament until 1998. The one exception being 1992. In fact, I'm not a fan of the Olympics summer/winter at all. but if NHL players participate, I'll watch, if not, then I won't.

Yeah, without nhlers in the future there is no compelling reason for me to watch it either.

And most fans here will feel the same way.

I mean, what would winning a gold medal in that thing mean anyway? You were the best in a half assed level tournament?

Woo hoo!!..................start the parade!!

That will be an olympic hockey tournament with literally zero significance.

 

[Jablkon]

Yeah, without nhlers in the future there is no compelling reason for me to watch it either.

And most fans here will feel the same way.

I mean, what would winning a gold medal in that thing mean anyway? You were the best in a half assed level tournament?

Woo hoo!!..................start the parade!!

That will be an olympic hockey tournament with literally zero significance.

Because your only measure is Best of Best. Olympic medal of its own is so much attractive that people would watch it. It will never be 1998 but still attractive. Once you praticipate or attend OG you would understand that aura...

 

[jj cale]

Because your only measure is Best of Best. Olympic medal of its own is so much attractive that people would watch it. It will never be 1998 but still attractive. Once you praticipate or attend OG you would understand that aura...

You are right, best on best is my only measure, is that not what the olympics are supposed to represent in athletic achievement?

That is what it represents in all the other sports competing there, if it does not in hockey what is the point?

That's the whole point for gods sake, best in the world.

If the olympics do no represent the pinnacle of athletic excellence then what is it?.................a party?

 

[tobu]

I do not plan to watch a single game from over here in Europe, only chance that happening is if its not at Europe night time and there is an illegal stream and I'm totally bored not doing anything else.

 

[jj cale]

The Olympic hockey tournament will not be a junior tournament. Other leagues would still release their players, the NHL does not dictate the sport.

They may not dictate the sport but like it or not they have the power to totally ruin and render the olympic hockey tournament meaningless.

That's power enough and for the good of the game they have to be stopped.

The olympics needs to have the availability of all NHL players for all competing countries. 2 more years for them to come to their senses.

 

[1Gold Standard]

They may not dictate the sport but like it or not they have the power to totally ruin and render the olympic hockey tournament meaningless.

That's power enough and for the good of the game they have to be stopped.

The olympics needs to have the availability of all NHL players for all competing countries. 2 more years for them to come to their senses.

I'd say less than a year to make a decision, National Federations have to start making other arrangements. If there isn't a decision by September (World Cup) then NHL Olympics is over. Another good reason why the World Cup should be boycotted.

 

[jj cale]

I'd say less than a year to make a decision, National Federations have to start making other arrangements. If there isn't a decision by September (World Cup) then NHL Olympics is over. Another good reason why the World Cup should be boycotted.

I can't believe it has come to this.

The NHL needs to be raked over the coals for all this.

 

[Jablkon]

You are right, best on best is my only measure, is that not what the olympics are supposed to represent in athletic achievement?

That is what it represents in all the other sports competing there, if it does not in hockey what is the point?

That's the whole point for gods sake, best in the world.

If the olympics do no represent the pinnacle of athletic excellence then what is it?.................a party?

No, I am lazy to study it, but there was always some preference for "amateur" sports in OG. You know the stories about basis and purity of sport. You can still see it on olympic boxing, soccer and I might find another sports...figure skating for example. All of them are somehow limited for pros... But that is a completely different topic. We are not talking about OGC not accepting NHLers but NHL not allow NHlers to go (in this case). Still you will find tons of players to go....

 

[jj cale]

No, I am lazy to study it, but there was always some preference for "amateur" sports in OG. You know the stories about basis and purity of sport. You can still see it on olympic boxing, soccer and I might find another sports...figure skating for example. All of them are somehow limited for pros... But that is a completely different topic. We are not talking about OGC not accepting NHLers but NHL not allow NHlers to go (in this case). Still you will find tons of players to go....

Tons of players will go, but you won't find any of the best players from the U.S and Canada, probably Sweden and Finland too.

Totally meaningless under those conditions.

It has no value aside from players who want to go for "the olympic experience"

Good for them i guess, i hope they enjoy themselves.

But the results mean nothing.

I don't know whats worse, this non nhl olympics or this upcoming fake world cup.

Both have as much substance as fools gold.

 

[kabidjan18]

No, I am lazy to study it, but there was always some preference for "amateur" sports in OG. You know the stories about basis and purity of sport. You can still see it on olympic boxing, soccer and I might find another sports...figure skating for example. All of them are somehow limited for pros... But that is a completely different topic. We are not talking about OGC not accepting NHLers but NHL not allow NHlers to go (in this case). Still you will find tons of players to go....

When figure skaters "go pro" is after they quit competition, usually because their bodies are past the very small competition age range in modern figure skating. When they quit competition they go skate at international galas, and shows, light stuff. As far as a true figure skating competition however the real "pros" or the best figure skaters out there are the ones you see on screen.

 

[JackSlater]

Was it insignificant in 1994?

Very much so. I can see the Olympics having some meaning in the 70s or 80s, for example, when at least some hockey powers were sending their best (or very close to their best) rosters. 1994 was just random players from one country taking on random players from another country. Without the best involved there isn't much point.

 

[varsaku]

Where is Hockey Canada and USA Hockey in all of this. Do they have no say in anything or have they just become a puppet of NHL.

 

[Jablkon]

When figure skaters "go pro" is after they quit competition, usually because their bodies are past the very small competition age range in modern figure skating. When they quit competition they go skate at international galas, and shows, light stuff. As far as a true figure skating competition however the real "pros" or the best figure skaters out there are the ones you see on screen.

Its not that easy. Pljuscenko (hope I spell it correctly) had to come back to amateur status. Some czechs could still also compete but they wanted to earn money....But thats irrelevant to topic.

 

[Jablkon]

Tons of players will go, but you won't find any of the best players from the U.S and Canada, probably Sweden and Finland too.

Totally meaningless under those conditions.

It has no value aside from players who want to go for "the olympic experience"

Good for them i guess, i hope they enjoy themselves.

But the results mean nothing.

I don't know whats worse, this non nhl olympics or this upcoming fake world cup.

Both have as much substance as fools gold.

The worst thing is NHL not allowing players to participate on olympics. Thats all.

What do you want them to do? Cut off hockey from olympic sports? I respected last world cups. Let it be every 6 years and let olympics. We all know it is only one most neutral int. tourney and its highly demanded by players. I will watch non NHL olympics anyway. It would be good test for our european players and possibility to grow. And if they win gold, it helps CZ in olympic rankings. Diff. perspective. I will have there all players who I follow most of the year. You will watch i as well in my place....

 

[jj cale]

The worst thing is NHL not allowing players to participate on olympics. Thats all.

What do you want them to do? Cut off hockey from olympic sports? I respected last world cups. Let it be every 6 years and let olympics. We all know it is only one most neutral int. tourney and its highly demanded by players. I will watch non NHL olympics anyway. It would be good test for our european players and possibility to grow. And if they win gold, it helps CZ in olympic rankings. Diff. perspective. I will have there all players who I follow most of the year. You will watch i as well in my place....

Fair enough, if you can actually squeeze some value out of a non nhl player olympics then good, but not many will and you can easily see why.

And no, they don't have to cut out hockey from the olympics, I guess it has to be there in some form.

It just won't mean a damn thing that's all.

****in nhl being stupid.

 

[kabidjan18]

Its not that easy. Pljuscenko (hope I spell it correctly) had to come back to amateur status. Some czechs could still also compete but they wanted to earn money....But thats irrelevant to topic.

It happens, and some can double, take breaks, go to college but Pluschenko is a great example because he was way past his age and hurt himself...

 

[DrunkPerrinFan]

Fair enough, if you can actually squeeze some value out of a non nhl player olympics then good, but not many will and you can easily see why.

I'm seeing a cultural difference here. Around here (Finland) the Olympics brand is so strong, that if an athlete we've never heard of wins gold in a sport we've never heard of, that athlete would be celebrated as national hero.

The tournament would have worse rosters than WHC, which at least has some NHL players from eliminated teams, but the average person would still care about it more.

 

[jj cale]

I'm seeing a cultural difference here. Around here (Finland) the Olympics brand is so strong, that if an athlete we've never heard of wins gold in a sport we've never heard of, that athlete would be celebrated as national hero.

The tournament would have worse rosters than WHC, which at least has some NHL players from eliminated teams, but the average person would still care about it more.

It would appear so as far as cultural difference.

But really, aside from the social side of spirit of world unity and friendship and cultural exchange the whole point of the athletic side of the olympics is for each nation to test it's best athletes against each other. Hence, why some unknown athlete in a sport you have never heard of would be celebrated as a hero in Finland, because they competed against the best in the world and by their efforts showed they were the best in the world.

In hockey, if you take away nhl player representation, you take away that claim.

What do you go crazy for and plan the parades for then? top spot in a world hockey at best C competition?

I can't see why people from Europe don't see the obvious disconnect here.

Because of an olympic "brand"?

The brand itself does not mean much if it isn't what it is supposed to represent.