2018 Olympics Thread: News and Discussion

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Marchand-Crosby-Bergeron
Benn-McDavid-Seguin
Tavares-Scheifele-Stamkos
Drouin-Toews-Duchene
Marner

Looks pretty good aside from Drouin and Marner. I know they'll want some pure wingers, but they can do better. Jeff Carter for one (I know he plays centre now, but he might be even better on the wing), and then the last spot would be a toss up...I'd go with Wayne Simmonds.

[simonarea]

I am gonna do my best to make it to Korea next feb! Korea is in the same pool as Canada and it will be once in a life time thing. Korea worked their butt off in last few years to get promoted to higher league. The team is led by Jim Paek (head coach... remember him with the penguins?). I think Richard Park (remember him?) was helping out the team as well
Woohoo!!!! I hope I get to watch tons of hockey games!

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by simonarea

I am gonna do my best to make it to Korea next feb! Korea is in the same pool as Canada and it will be once in a life time thing. Korea worked their butt off in last few years to get promoted to higher league. The team is led by Jim Paek (head coach... remember him with the penguins?). I think Richard Park (remember him?) was helping out the team as well
Woohoo!!!! I hope I get to watch tons of hockey games!

While I appreciate your enthusiasm, Korea is ranked 23rd in the world and is going to get absolutely smashed in every game even if NHLers don't go. While I understand allowing the host team a spot, the tournament would be much better off with Belarus, Latvia or Denmark all of which would be competitive with a small potential for an upset. At least in 1998 the tournament had a qualification round so Japan wasn't totally embarrassed.

The Women's tournament will be even worse with Korea ranked 24th. They won't have to play Canada or the USA though.

[Samuelsson]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

While I appreciate your enthusiasm, Korea is ranked 23rd in the world and is going to get absolutely smashed in every game even if NHLers don't go. While I understand allowing the host team a spot, the tournament would be much better off with Belarus, Latvia or Denmark all of which would be competitive with a small potential for an upset. At least in 1998 the tournament had a qualification round so Japan wasn't totally embarrassed.

The Women's tournament will be even worse with Korea ranked 24th. They won't have to play Canada or the USA though.

[Jetfire]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

While I appreciate your enthusiasm, Korea is ranked 23rd in the world and is going to get absolutely smashed in every game even if NHLers don't go. While I understand allowing the host team a spot, the tournament would be much better off with Belarus, Latvia or Denmark all of which would be competitive with a small potential for an upset. At least in 1998 the tournament had a qualification round so Japan wasn't totally embarrassed.

The Women's tournament will be even worse with Korea ranked 24th. They won't have to play Canada or the USA though.

I really look forward to seeing S. Korea play too, of course they're going to get steamrolled, they most certainly realize it too, their all-time worst loss was 27-0 to freaking Latvia, but these are men who are going to go out and put forth their very best effort for their country, playing way out of their league. I'm going to be cheering for them just to score even a few goals in the tournament. Once in a lifetime stuff.

[Samuelsson]

Originally Posted by Jetfire

I really look forward to seeing S. Korea play too, of course they're going to get steamrolled, they most certainly realize it too, their all-time worst loss was 27-0 to freaking Latvia, but these are men who are going to go out and put forth their very best effort for their country, playing way out of their league. I'm going to be cheering for them just to score even a few goals in the tournament. Once in a lifetime stuff.

Exactly. The Olympics aren't just for the spectators, but the athletes participating too. They'll likely never get this opportunity again, so for some (what I assume are) part-time players, suiting up against the stars of the game must be awesome. I'll be cheering for them.

[getbak]

Yesterday, Bettman said that they're focused on having a schedule for next season that doesn't include an Olympic break: https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-focused...cs/c-287506900


I guess the question now is if they're just playing hardball with the players trying to get a concession from the PA because they know the players really want to go, or if they're serious about not going?

[The Professor]

Anybody catch what Friedman was saying on HNIC? Something about a planned meeting getting cancelled. I thought their points about the younger generation growing up with Olympics being just one step down in importance from the Stanley Cup was interesting.

[Gaudfather]

It was funny last night when Don Cherry on Coaches Corner said he has no interest in the NHL players going to the Olympics. He is clearly out of touch with the players themselves who do want to participate. Even Sidney Crosby in After Hours reiterated his desire to see the NHL players participate.

[Fire]

I wouldn't have a problem with the NHL skipping the Korea games and sticking it to the IOC. Revisit the Olympics when it's in China. The players need to stop pouting, they are making a lot of money to play in the NHL, that should be their #1 priority.

[dissentowner]

I am on the owners and NHL's side on this one, I don't think the NHL should go. Why should the owners allow their star players whom they have committed millions of dollars to, go and possibly get hurt?

[The Professor]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I am on the owners and NHL's side on this one, I don't think the NHL should go. Why should the owners allow their star players whom they have committed millions of dollars to, go and possibly get hurt?

Yeah, sure, and if I was an owner I'd agree 100%. As a fan though I'm hoping they can overcome the hurdles and we see some best on best hockey next winter!

[bigrangy]

All I want to see is best on best hockey. It makes no difference to me whether the IOC, NHL, or IIHF hosts the tournament, as long as it's open to all countries and has qualifying/promotion/relegation for each team.

The ideal solution, of course, would be to move the World Championships to a time when everyone could play. Obviously, you would need to increase the prestige of the tournament as well so that very few players would trun down an invite.

Team Europe and NA were fun but they distract from the purpose of the competition, and that's finding out who's the best.

[FireGilbert]

I would love to see NHLers at the 2018 Olympics I but am not confident after some of the comments I am hearing.

Also, I think we would all be okay with no Olympic best on best hockey if the last World Cup wasn't so gimmicky and anti-climactic. Schedule a real World Cup alternating between Europe and North American every 4 years with a qualification process and the Olympics won't matter anymore.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

NHL will be there, exposure in Asia is too good to pass up. Flames will go, though probably none for Team Canada (Hamilton best bet). As far as Team Canada goes, I'll guess....

Marchand-Crosby-Bergeron
Benn-McDavid-Seguin
Tavares-Scheifele-Stamkos
Drouin-Toews-Duchene
Marner

Burns-Weber
Doughty-Keith
Vlasic-Pietrangelo
Subban

Price
Holtby
Dubnyk

Canada actually has goalie depth this time, so not only will it not be Mike Smith getting a free medal, gonna be a tough final choice between Dubnyk, Martin Jones, Cam Talbot, maybe even Corey Crawford.

I think I might have to loose my patriotism if I have to cheer for a flameless team canada with McDavid on the team.

Team USA with Gaudreau and maybe even Tkachuk is a nice option

[Monahan For Mayor]

How does international play work in European Football ? Those guys are always playing on their countries teams, even though they are committed pros.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

How does international play work in European Football ? Those guys are always playing on their countries teams, even though they are committed pros.

One league match per week, that's how it works. In the EPL they have a 38-game season spread out over nine months. That leaves plenty of time during the season for international play and even friendlies.

[flambers]

No NHL won't go

I suspect there will be NHLers that will play, they will be suspended when they leave for the Olympics (i.e. Malkin etc..)

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by flambers

No NHL won't go

I suspect there will be NHLers that will play, they will be suspended when they leave for the Olympics (i.e. Malkin etc..)

It is my understanding that if any player chooses to try and go to the Olympics without NHL approval they will be suspended immediately and the IOC will recognize that suspension and they will be ineligible to play anyhow. I can't remember where I read that.

[Looch City]

Originally Posted by flambers

No NHL won't go

I suspect there will be NHLers that will play, they will be suspended when they leave for the Olympics (i.e. Malkin etc..)

Followed by massive riots in multiple cities and a decade long lockout, the NHL will never be the same after the 2018 Olympics.