Quote:
Originally Posted by nfotiu
I think this is being overblown a bit. If they'd been playing nhl hockey for 2 weeks, people would have hurt themselves too.
I don't see any way good coming out of nhl players not playing, especially if you are a Canadian fan.
I am guessing AHL players with NHL contracts would be excluded too, so we'd be looking at a pool of players playing in Europe and semi pro NA leagues against the best of the KHL. They may get a miracle medal once in a while, but it would be pretty much back to the old Olympic hockey days where we didn't have much to cheer for.
It doesn't seem like a summer world cup would work anymore either. There isn't the intense international rivalry like there was during the cold war. Canada/US is pretty much the biggest rivalry, and I don't see many Americans caring to watch hockey during the summer. It would be pretty hard to build it without any tradition. The Olympics brings that tradition and makes it a lot easier for people in a lot of countries to be passionate about it.
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Personally my bet is the NHL had made their decision before these games even started... which was not to go to 2018 Olympics.
Injuries etc.,... will make the decision easier for the NHL
Time zone thing is also a major pain... There are many fans who are not watching the games due to work etc.
World Cup would be done in a better Time zone... Ratings would see a major increase for North America IMO.