Quote:
Originally Posted by Joborule
When the NHL originally went to the olympics to try to grow the games, it was a great idea. And was fun to watch over two decades.
But the NHL has gotta figure out a way to get out of the Olympics in the long term since I don't believe they get any benefit from it anymore, and it's purely for the players. It's too disruptive to the league, and the fact IOC wouldn't allow the NHL to have media content rights is BS for the NHL.
It may take a decade or two, but if the NHL can consistently have the World Cup of Hockey happen every four years, and make the tournament build integrity as the best international hockey competition, they may be able to finally be able to shackle off the Olympic chains if they're still interested in doing so at that point.
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If they are going to go down that road, it needs to be in the winter. Make it after the Super Bowl, and get the other pro leagues and iihf to buy in as an International window.
Summer tournaments are lame and just for Canadian fans. Olympics work because other countries care, players are in season form and it's not run by a North American pro league for the sake of its fans.
It's sad to see best on best hockey die from the Olympics. Aside from the handful of years the Flames made it deep in the playoffs, Team Canada Olympic games were the games I was most personally invested in as a fan. I don't see any way a tournament run by hockey hating Bettman could be something I'd ever care about.