NHL Will Not Participate in the 2018 Olympics

[RockaFowler]

:large


I thought this might happen. Might be better to use College players anyway!!

[Renew Deal]

1. That stinks

[Angry Dragon]

2. !!GOOD!!

[True Dough]

3. I have mixed feelings about it

It's always most enjoyable to watch the best of the best play in any event, including the Olympics.

But when you see a few of the top caliber players go down to injury while playing in the Olympics (although it doesn't happen as often as in the NHL with its rough style and smaller rinks), you think it's a liability that isn't necessary. Of course the teams and teams' owners would feel even more strongly about that.

[CanSocDem]

4. This is great.

The emphasis should shift back to the athlete and away from the hokey bullshit about which country has the most medals.
Back when Canada ruled in International Hockey, all our players were amateurs. Getting a "professional" job in hockey was more difficult with only six pro teams, so good players could make it to their late teens or early 20's before they were gobbled up by the pro's and available for international tournaments.
However, when the USA put together their basketball "Dream Team" and blew away the competition internationally, everybody thought this was great because after all......it's all about winning, isn't it???
The folly of this wasn't noticed until millionaire player Phil Esposito got on TV and chastised us (the Canadian hockey fan) for recognizing that him and his superstar buddies weren't keeping up with a well-oiled, highly skilled Russian TEAM.


.

[True Dough]

5. Alex Ovechkin says he's going to play in the Olympics, with the NHL's permission or not

Take that, Gary Bettman!

http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19076145/washington-capitals-star-alex-ovechkin-says-going-olympics