World cup is better than Olympics

[Xokkeu]

Yeah, maybe. It is just one extra day of play though, and only for half of the teams. 3 pre-tournament games seems a bit excessive. Strip it down to 2 and you're good.

The pre tournament games just seemed like money fillers. Have a game in Columbus. Sell some extra tickets in the season ticket packages. Same with DC Stockholm etc

 

[Moncherry]

They need to drop the ridiculously long anthems. Play an abridged version or play them at a quicker tempo.

 

[Gary Nylund]

In red:

Cheap sarcasm isn't a legitimate answer to any question / issue. It is the easy way out for those who have no answers. It only makes you look incredibly weak. Suit yourself though.

I thought my answers were quite sincere. Sounds to me like you're just avoiding the issues.

The thing is that these $10m are peanuts for 30 billionaires, but very serious coin for national federations. This is an objective fact.

It might help if you concentrated less on the dollar amounts and more on the principles involved. And if you are obsessed with the dollar amounts then you may want to consider what the IOC budget is - hint, $10m is peanuts in that context also.

And while a subjective opinion, I really don't think that it's anything but an excuse for these billionaires & Bettman to make a grab for international tournaments. And it doesn't matter to them if in the process they make hockey worse for EVERYONE else outside the NHL by trying to damage the most storied & important competition in the whole world.

A lot of hyberbole here.

"make a grab for international tournaments" - your point is fuzzy (if there even is a point)

"make hockey worse for everyone else outside the NHL" - again, WTF are you talking about?

"damage blah blah blah ..." - I assume you're talking about the OG but there's a huge flaw in your logic, can you guess what it is?

The fact that you don't care either is a) incomprehensible because I don't think you are in line for a payout from the World Cup (why do you worry so much about these billionaires' income?) and b) the best hockey can become outside the USA, the better the chances of seeing a bigger influx of players from non North American countries into the NHL.

Now you're completely off the rails? When have I said I don't care? What is it you don't think I care about? When have I said I'm "worried" about these billionaire's income (hint, I haven't).

You point b) has nothing to do with your (incorrect) assumption that I don't care, you're really all over the place, perhaps you meant that comment to be in a different thread?

Maybe seeing their national players compete in the Olympics will help the next Josi take up hockey instead of going to play for one of the plethora of soccer teams & tune out the soccer overload that we have in Europe. Same situation in many other countries, even more so those not represented at the World Cup.
You are thinking "I want the fattest chicken today", but maybe you ought to worry instead about how to have an increased "egg" production tomorrow.

You're completely missing the point - we all want NHL players at the Olympics so going on about why that's a good thing is a waste of time.

The NHL has been sending players to the Olympics for some time now. The IOC has been helping to cover costs which is sensible as it's a miniscule part of their budget and hockey is the marquee event. Now, for some unknown reason, they are threatening not to pay any more which is just flat out dumb. The NHL's reaction is to make sure the IOC understands that the end result of that will likely be that NHL players won't be going. If you don't think that's a completely understandable result then you're in a very small minority. Bottom line, instead of going on and on about your socialist ideals and about how the NHL owners shouldn't care about money etc. while inexplicably letting the IOC off scot free, you might want to consider directing your venom at those who really deserve it - the IOC in case you haven't figured it out yet.

Have you heard the expression "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"? It's quite suitable for this occasion and when you figure out who's the one doing the "breaking" (hint, not the NHL) then you'll be a lot closer to understanding the situation. The IOC still has time to come to their senses but they better wake up soon. They're the ones who are on the verge of ruining Olympic hockey for everyone and thus they're the ones who your anger should be directed at. Why do you blame the NHL for the fact that the IOC is jeopardizing what has been a win-win for everyone.

Can you understand this? Any of it?

The irony here is that considering how disjointed this post is, you should be directing that question at yourself.

 

[BruinLVGA]

Plenty of us here who are not billionaire fat cat oligarchs do not share your assertion that the olympics are so great so maybe bring it down a bit. The IOC is also awful, full of corrupt, arrogant aristocrats 1. so I don't know why you are ranting so hard about NHL owners its not like the IOC is full of saints.

So your weird moral issues aside, from a 2. purely hockey perspective I don't like the NHL season to be interrupted in February right when it is entering the final stretch so September is a better time. The hockey is better on NA ice, with NHL refs, and NHL rules. Also the hockey is better with only 8 teams who are all competitive 3. so no joke countries like Danish and Swiss. In the future they can also spread the hosting around a bit more, even to share it between NA & Europe, 4. something the Olympics can't do where every game will take place in some Asian places.

1. Because the IOC is not trying to jeopardize anyone else's tournament, the NHL however is trying to just do exactly that. Is this something new to you?

2. But the All Star Game, which interrupts the season yearly, instead of every 4 years, it's OK. Care to explain why?

3. Try to pay respect to everyone, instead of arrogantly dismissing everyone. It's a classier way of handling oneself. And by the way, in the past 4 (FOUR) Olympics, Switzerland has a better record against Canada. I guess the joke is on you, after all.

4. Where have you been in the past 14 years? 2002 Salt Lake City (North America), 2006 Turin, 2010 Vancouver (North America), 2014 Sochi.
And if they're holding them in less usual places for the next few ones, it is to grow the game everywhere. Grow the game -> more players -> more chances of someone getting to the NHL -> potentially a better product for you too, even though you love belittling others. Understand?
More on this, read the article by Beleskey on the Players' Tribune where he speaks about him & Pastrnak going to China to grow the game. You know, China... That place with 1+ billion folks that just had their first KHL team?

 

[zeke]

the all star game is a weekend rest.

 

[BruinLVGA]

the all star game is a weekend rest.

The Olympics is a two weeks rest.

 

[BruinLVGA]

In red:

I will address the only part of your reply that isn't all muddled up (the rest feels like a psychedelic trip): this $10m is purely an excuse. If it wasn't this, it would have been something else. The NHL sees $$$, nothing else matters.

You and the majority of Canadians in here and a few Americans are all nice and cozy because you have a friendly preseason tournament with a vague international flair and very little meaning. Great.

The rest of the world is not happy that the Olympics, who had reached their peak from 2002 till now, are going to be made worse for the sake of $$$ and supposed to be ousted from top tournament by this Stars on Ice extravaganza with made up teams. This would not be good for hockey, worldwide (because the Olympics are open to everyone, hence everyone can play meaningful hockey. The World Cup isn't).
I hope indeed that Ovechkin will just go to the Olympics even if the NHL says no and that many others will follow. International hockey is about the sport, not the private cash cow of a regional league. You can take that to the bank.

 

[mjlee]

This must be the NHL's worst nightmare, everyone loves the NA kiddies and they are probably out (unless Finland beats Russia). The US is out, the Leftovers are in. Sweden, possibly the most boring team in the tournament is in. The only remaining game that might get any kind of interest is if Canada meets Russia in the semi, which they probably will. Then the final is either Sweden or Leftovers being crushed by Canada. Seriously who will tune into the final except Canadians? Great result for generating interest in the WCH

 

[hitmen19]

This must be the NHL's worst nightmare, everyone loves the NA kiddies and they are probably out (unless Finland beats Russia). The US is out, the Leftovers are in. Sweden, possibly the most boring team in the tournament is in. The only remaining game that might get any kind of interest is if Canada meets Russia in the semi, which they probably will. Then the final is either Sweden or Leftovers being crushed by Canada. Seriously who will tune into the final except Canadians? Great result for generating interest in the WCH

to be honest, not like the Sochi games did much for generating interest either. They were more or less a dud themselves. Even the gold medal game was pretty anticlimactic. No one really though Sweden was going to win. Outside of the Russia USA game, and maybe Canada USA game in Sochi, the rest were pretty defensive and boring

 

[SotasicA]

Sochi was a huge dud. I don't want the NHL to stop the season ever again for the Olympics. World Cup is better hockey and played at a better time. And the corrupt IOC doesn't benefit from it. And it's played on small ice, with NHL rules.

There's nothing I'd miss from Olympic hockey with NHL players. Amateur players better fit the Olympic spirit anyway.

I'm not a big fan of international hockey, so I have to say that though. I could live without any.

 

[Chimpradamus]

"The corrupt IOC". I hope you're not implying the NHL isn't corrupt.

 

[mjlee]

to be honest, not like the Sochi games did much for generating interest either. They were more or less a dud themselves. Even the gold medal game was pretty anticlimactic. No one really though Sweden was going to win. Outside of the Russia USA game, and maybe Canada USA game in Sochi, the rest were pretty defensive and boring

Oh I agree that the quality of hockey in the Olympics often isn't as entertaining as the NA Kiddies, well the Vancouver gold medal game was pretty exciting. But, and here's the big but, what is exciting in the olympics is the result, not the actual gameplay. That players and teams will do whatever it takes to win. The Canada-Latvia game was really utter crap, but the possibility that Latvia could actually defeat Canada was what made it completely riveting. And I would not call it a dud when a meaningless RR game actually generated a personal tweet from Obama, not to mention headlines in all the big american media and 'TJ Sochi'

You will never see the freewheeling style that has made the kiddies such a smash hit, because it's too high risk, and in real competition, like the olympics or the SCF, coaches and players are far more risk averse since something is actually on the line. Most SC Finals are boring, stylewise, because in today's game coaching focuses so much on defense and structure. The Kiddies are a blast, but apart from their games, just how good have the other games been? And no, Canada clinically taking apart their opponents, does not make for entertaining or exciting hockey.

 

[zeke]

God bless this tourney.

 

[missingchicklet]

Sochi was a huge dud. I don't want the NHL to stop the season ever again for the Olympics. World Cup is better hockey and played at a better time. And the corrupt IOC doesn't benefit from it. And it's played on small ice, with NHL rules.

There's nothing I'd miss from Olympic hockey with NHL players. Amateur players better fit the Olympic spirit anyway.

I'm not a big fan of international hockey, so I have to say that though. I could live without any.

Very well said. While I still enjoy international hockey, the world's best league in no way shape or form needs to be screwing around with it's season to cater to the Olympics.

 

[meenamjah]

1. Because the IOC is not trying to jeopardize anyone else's tournament, the NHL however is trying to just do exactly that. Is this something new to you?

2. But the All Star Game, which interrupts the season yearly, instead of every 4 years, it's OK. Care to explain why?

1. the nhl is trying to jeopardize someone else's tournament? how stupid can your thought process get? did olympic hockey not exist before 1998? will there be no olympic hockey if the nhl doesn't send players? if it affects the prestige of the tournament, too bad. the ioc can go f*** itself. it was only prestigious because nhl sent its players in the first place. the nhl has no obligation to send players.

2. again, are you incapable of coherent thinking? the all star game is not comparable to the olympics. at all. is this concept too hard for you to understand? having a two week disruption, plus the liability of player injuries and insurance and travel costs, while ioc is the one financially benefiting isn't very appealing to the nhl. but the all star weekend is organized by nhl, and not some 3rd party. it doesn't disrupt the nhl season, as it is a part of the regular nhl season. not to mention it's just a weekend, and not a massive two week disruption.

 

[llwyd]

I'll post this comment on this thread too, maybe a more appropriate one:

I don't like this hybrid version, a semi-international tournament - if you want just high quality play and are not interested in traditional national team tournaments, then reduce the European teams to three: Team Nordic, Team Rest of Europe, and Team u23 Europe. Then those who most resent their national teams being forced to play silly made up teams wouldn't need to mind.

 

[me2]

This must be the NHL's worst nightmare, everyone loves the NA kiddies and they are probably out (unless Finland beats Russia). The US is out, the Leftovers are in. Sweden, possibly the most boring team in the tournament is in. The only remaining game that might get any kind of interest is if Canada meets Russia in the semi, which they probably will. Then the final is either Sweden or Leftovers being crushed by Canada. Seriously who will tune into the final except Canadians? Great result for generating interest in the WCH

Candians make up the bulk of watchers and Canadians will still tune in and watch Canada o24 play so having no u23's won't hurt those numbers much. Also if someone is cheering hard for u23 it is probably because they have a guy on the team, then again they also likely have guys on team canada/sweden, same reason to watch.

Now if Canada loses in the semis..... that is bad for the organisers.

 

[Zanon]

This tourney won't come close to touching 2010.

 

[holyprime]

There's nothing I'd miss from Olympic hockey with NHL players. Amateur players better fit the Olympic spirit anyway.

I'm not picking on you, it's not the first time i read this here.

Where would you get these amateur players from?

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Canada will play against NA23 and Sweden will play against Leftovers to get to the finals. What a farce.

 

[Johnnybegood13]

This tourney won't come close to touching 2010.

So true, personally if NA is out I won't watch another game, watching team Canada win is a snoozefest in a nothing tourney but watching the kids embarrass long time NHL players and coaches has made it very watchable.

 

[Johnnybegood13]

Now if Canada loses in the semis..... that is bad for the organisers.

I beg to differ if it's the kids, If NA plays and beats Canada in the semis, the finals will have at least 3 times the viewership.

North American Kids against Russia is an organizers dream, A Russian loss would give Putin shingles.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I will address the only part of your reply that isn't all muddled up (the rest feels like a psychedelic trip): this $10m is purely an excuse. If it wasn't this, it would have been something else. The NHL sees $$$, nothing else matters.

You and the majority of Canadians in here and a few Americans are all nice and cozy because you have a friendly preseason tournament with a vague international flair and very little meaning. Great.

The rest of the world is not happy that the Olympics, who had reached their peak from 2002 till now, are going to be made worse for the sake of $$$ and supposed to be ousted from top tournament by this Stars on Ice extravaganza with made up teams. This would not be good for hockey, worldwide (because the Olympics are open to everyone, hence everyone can play meaningful hockey. The World Cup isn't).
I hope indeed that Ovechkin will just go to the Olympics even if the NHL says no and that many others will follow. International hockey is about the sport, not the private cash cow of a regional league. You can take that to the bank.

If reading English does that to you, that explains a lot. Nice talking to ya. And good luck!

 

[Gary Nylund]

1. the nhl is trying to jeopardize someone else's tournament? how stupid can your thought process get? did olympic hockey not exist before 1998? will there be no olympic hockey if the nhl doesn't send players? if it affects the prestige of the tournament, too bad. the ioc can go f*** itself. it was only prestigious because nhl sent its players in the first place. the nhl has no obligation to send players.

2. again, are you incapable of coherent thinking? the all star game is not comparable to the olympics. at all. is this concept too hard for you to understand? having a two week disruption, plus the liability of player injuries and insurance and travel costs, while ioc is the one financially benefiting isn't very appealing to the nhl. but the all star weekend is organized by nhl, and not some 3rd party. it doesn't disrupt the nhl season, as it is a part of the regular nhl season. not to mention it's just a weekend, and not a massive two week disruption.

I would only add that the all-star game puts zero strain on the players, they just skate around and have fun, it's basically another rest day for them which is worlds apart from playing competitive games against the best national teams in the world. The difference is obvious to anyone who has watched the games but you're talking to someone who by his own admission has refused to watch past Canada/World Cups on principle. Despite this, he insists he's an authority on the subject and that it's completely logical to compare these tournaments to all-star games. Good luck getting through to him, lord knows I've tried.

 

[BruinLVGA]

1. the nhl is trying to jeopardize someone else's tournament? how stupid can your thought process get? did olympic hockey not exist before 1998? will there be no olympic hockey if the nhl doesn't send players? if it affects the prestige of the tournament, too bad. the ioc can go f*** itself. it was only prestigious because nhl sent its players in the first place. the nhl has no obligation to send players.

2. again, are you incapable of coherent thinking? the all star game is not comparable to the olympics. at all. is this concept too hard for you to understand? having a two week disruption, plus the liability of player injuries and insurance and travel costs, while ioc is the one financially benefiting isn't very appealing to the nhl. but the all star weekend is organized by nhl, and not some 3rd party. it doesn't disrupt the nhl season, as it is a part of the regular nhl season. not to mention it's just a weekend, and not a massive two week disruption.

1. I can help with your lack of knowledge of your own language. Jeopardize: "to put someone or something into a situation in which there is a danger of loss, harm or failure". Keywords: "danger" and "harm".
Preventing the NHL players from participating to the Olympics - which is what the NHL is doing - puts the Olympics in a situation in which there is a danger of harm (hey those words turned up after all! It's magic, right?) for the quality of the tournament. I hope this will kickstart your very own thought process.

2. And he talks about my thinking and how coherent it is... ... Stopping the regular season is... surprise, surprise... just stopping the regular season, irregardless of who is behind this stoppage and why.
So, if two weeks every 4 years is a horrible ordeal for the league, so it should be 3-4 days a year (which tallied up, make roughly two weeks for a four year period) for the All Star Game. And by the way, stopping the regular season for the Olympics makes way more sense than stopping for the utter joke that is the All Star Game.
But if a stoppage of 2 weeks every 4 years is anyway such an intolerable ordeal for the NHL and your delicate soul, what's your take on canceling entire seasons (lock outs... Multiple lockouts actually...), uh?

Player injuries? But at the World Cup, I guess players never get injured, right? Didn't Ekblad just leave for that? I will let you wonder if singling out the Olympics for possible players injury sounds stupid or not, using your way of expressing oneself.

Players' travel expenses? Do you seriously think that NHL teams pay for that too?

Have a nice day.