Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
I honestly don't think the average non-fan can tell the difference between NHL quality play and European professional or even college play. There will always be hockey at the Winter Olympics. The question is what added attraction do NHL players bring for viewers who aren't already hockey fans. Hockey was already the most popular event at the Winter Olympics before NHL players were involved.
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Average sport fans know of Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin. If the US isn't playing in the gold medal game... they are more likely to watch a game featuring those guys rather than Byron Ritchie and Roman Cervenka (to pick a few ex-Flames as examples)