"Prognosis is not really good" on NHL players going to 2018 Olympics

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by RM14

NHL players in Korea and then Beijing could be a big opportunity to build some momentum in that part of the world.

Yes but it is momentum that the KHL will likely benefit from, not the NHL. The KHL is already expanding to China, and in talks with Korea and Japan.

In terms of purely growing the game to other markets, there will be a benefit. In terms of real benefit to the NHL it is pretty marginal at best.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Yes but it is momentum that the KHL will likely benefit from, not the NHL. The KHL is already expanding to China, and in talks with Korea and Japan.

In terms of purely growing the game, yes, but in terms of real benefit to the NHL it is pretty marginal at best.

True, and from what I understand, the insurance costs they're talking about are not inconsiderable. Its a lot of money.

[RM14]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Yes but it is momentum that the KHL will likely benefit from, not the NHL. The KHL is already expanding to China, and in talks with Korea and Japan.

In terms of purely growing the game to other markets, there will be a benefit. In terms of real benefit to the NHL it is pretty marginal at best.

Unless your selling the NHL players as a better leauge than the khl. Then push NHL games on Asian networks and let that simmer for 50 years.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Disagree.

Disagree so much.

I don't follow amateur hockey, curling, figure skating or the bobsled any other time, why should I care once every 4 years?

[sharkov]

looks like the 2018 olympics will be a massive failure........

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by RM14

Unless your selling the NHL players as a better leauge than the khl. Then push NHL games on Asian networks and let that simmer for 50 years.

I am sure telling NHL owners to pause the NHL regular season for 2-3 weeks, risk their franchise and/or star players potential playoff and cup runs, for a payoff 50 years down the lines is going to receive a lot of support.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

To play devils advocate for the NHL/NHLPA, why would they spend money with zero return on the investment? Does having NHL players in the Olympics add a massive fan base that did not already exist, particularly for a games with such a massive time difference?

I can see why the NHL/NHLPA would not want to pony up a single penny.

They don't get zero return, though the return they get is difficult to quantify. Which is what this posturing and negotiating between all parties is about, at least in my view.

Originally Posted by sureLoss

I am sure telling NHL owners to pause the NHL regular season for 2-3 weeks, risk their franchise and/or star players potential playoff and cup runs, for a payoff 50 years down the lines is going to receive a lot of support.

They have no problem supporting the World Cup, which has all of the same risks and questionable benefits save for the schedule disruption. What's the difference? Which party collects the revenues seems to be the only one.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

I don't follow amateur hockey, curling, figure skating or the bobsled any other time, why should I care once every 4 years?

I don't know, I'm not asking you to.

I do though. I couldn't care less about the sports you listed and most winter sports in the time between the Winter Games, but for those two weeks I am hooked. I'll watch anything and everything. It's one really big fun event. Hopefully this city gets to experience them again too one day.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

They have no problem supporting the World Cup, which has all of the same risks and questionable benefits save for the schedule disruption. What's the difference? Which party collects the revenues seems to be the only one.

Yes that's the point. The World Cup is of direct benefit to the NHL.

The Olympics in Korea, not so much.

[RM14]

The payoff isn't 50 years... Growth would begin short term in the next 10 years in and around piggy backing off the games, showcase nhl games, sell some merch, put the nhl on asian networks for free to begin. I just used 50 years as loose don't give up in the short term. Owners care about growth.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Yes that's the point. The World Cup is of direct benefit to the NHL.

The Olympics in Korea, not so much.

I wish the consideration of a true best on best tournament with all of the prestige that it entails mattered more than manufacturing a lesser event in every aspect except the beancounting. That's all.

[MarkGio]

Too bad. Seeing NHLers on Olympic ice is always more enjoyable. Plus the Olympics creates super teams that we would never see at the NHL. It really is the best level of competition in the sport

[MarkGio]

Asia is the perfect market for Hockey to want to grow. So many people and quite a bit of winter. But all the NHL owner cares about is short term gains. The Rogers deal, expansion processes, the lockouts, the rule changes, etc. is all a reflection of what the league really cares about.

[GranteedEV]

2018 Team Canada opening lineup

W Mason Raymond - C Max Reinhart - W Devin Setoguchi
D Brandon Gormley - D Kenney Morrison
G Leland Irving

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

I am sure telling NHL owners to pause the NHL regular season for 2-3 weeks, risk their franchise and/or star players potential playoff and cup runs, for a payoff 50 years down the lines is going to receive a lot of support.

No question. But NHL owners need to look to the league now vs. before the red curtain. Russian players have introduced a whole new level of entertainment, talent, and style of play we wouldn't have never seen without hockey expanding its interests. Austin Matthews is a direct benefit of the southern expansion.

I would personally love to see Asian culture influence the game. Look at what Yao Ming did to the NBA. Before Yao the centre was a physical big man in the paint who looked silly at the free throw line and 3 point range. Since Yao, having a pure-paint big man is a weakness in your line up.

No exposure is bad exposure.

[polak]

So there would be no real best on best International hockey competition? That is tremendously weak.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

No question. But NHL owners need to look to the league now vs. before the red curtain. Russian players have introduced a whole new level of entertainment, talent, and style of play we wouldn't have never seen without hockey expanding its interests. Austin Matthews is a direct benefit of the southern expansion.

I would personally love to see Asian culture influence the game. Look at what Yao Ming did to the NBA. Before Yao the centre was a physical big man in the paint who looked silly at the free throw line and 3 point range. Since Yao, having a pure-paint big man is a weakness in your line up.

No exposure is bad exposure.

We have been watching "Russian" players for decades. the 72 Summit series was the real big start of it because it allowed best on best between them and Canada for the first time. Though Canada did have amateur teams that could and did compete with the old Red Army/Select teams for many years.

The World cups that followed were absolutely the best hockey I have ever watched....bar none. It's really to bad they got away from them but it was because the Olympics were opened up to the pros for the first time.

I do believe that this years World Cup will be the catalyst to get back to the original formats as well. The whole under 23 and team "Europe" thing was implemented as a one time thing IMO until they can determine a proper way to make it 8 countries only.

If and when they do that, there is no doubt the Olympics will be nothing but a memory until they are held in North America once again.

[Enoch Root]

Yes, the Olympics are great, with or without the best hockey players.

I will watch curling, and skiing, and figure skating, and all kinds of things I otherwise never watch.

And I will thoroughly enjoy all of them.

However, when it comes to hockey, non best-on-best is pointless. It ruins the value of watching hockey. Which is the best sport by far.

I remember the 70s and 80s. Olympic hockey had a few moments, but it was mostly not that great. It simply isn't that riveting, and it doesn't generate the emotional charge, when the best players aren't there. After a bunch of amateur 20-24 year-olds lose to Finland and Sweden and even Switzerland, my reaction is: whatever.

The last 4 Olympics have been excellent. Powerful. Exciting. And the other nations are catching up. The US is closing the gap. Sweden is competitive. Finland is getting better. Russia should be good.

Winning gold only matters to me if the best athletes are competing.

I don't want to see my favourite sport reduced to a non-relevant tournament of second rate players.

[Magnum PEI]

Good, ef the Olympics. I hope they never go back. I hope the IOC removes hockey like they did with baseball.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

I don't follow amateur hockey, curling, figure skating or the bobsled any other time, why should I care once every 4 years?

Do you watch the Summer Olympics?