Quote:
Originally Posted by Resolute 14
I hate to keep belabouring this point, but the NHL =/= hockey. It isn't the NHL's job to act as the unifying force for all hockey in the world. That's the IIHF's job. And it is thus incumbent on the IIHF to persuade the NHL that continued participation is a good thing.
Likewise, hockey is not soccer, so I don't buy the comparisons as being valid. And I say this despite the fact that the soccer example actually argues in favour of the NHL's point - there is far more money in the World Cup than there is the Olympics.
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Not to mention that Olympic soccer does not rely on the best leagues in the world releasing all their players to participate.
From a global hockey perspective, I don't think having NHL all star teams playing has an effect outside of the big 4 or 5 audiences that are already sold on the NHL anyway (they aren't going to care any more or less about the NHL). I am doubtful that the majority of fans from fringe hockey nations enjoy seeing their national teams spanked by NHL dream teams in the Olympics every 4 years. I don't think that helps "grow the game" where the growth is needed the most.
I know that hockey is not soccer, but I would love to see hockey use the same age restrictions that soccer uses when sending teams to the Olympics. The big 4 or 5 teams would still have a big advantage and there would still be star recognition, but I don't think it would be as top-heavy of a tournament.