could hockey be dropped from the olympics?

[Hemi-Cuda]

like baseball

that story says the IOC dropped it because the MLB refuses to allow their players to participate. now with the NHL only agreeing to send it's players to the 2010 olympics, is it possible for the IOC to drop hockey if a new agreement isn't reached? that would certainly make the games a lot less entertaining

[Superflyer]

That is stupid. If the NHL\MLB does not want to send the pros then go back to having an actual national team. It was not that long ago when we did not have NHL players in the olympics, sure it was not as exciting but at least we had teams.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Superflyer

That is stupid. If the NHL\MLB does not want to send the pros then go back to having an actual national team. It was not that long ago when we did not have NHL players in the olympics, sure it was not as exciting but at least we had teams.

i was actually looking forward to the Olympics with no NHL players, maybe we could actually get a national team that played like a team and not a group of superstars who have no idea how to work together

[White Doors]

I am against having the NHL in the Olympics AFTER 2010, basically because i like th eNHL better than International hockey. Hopefully we garner Gold in 2010 and can go back to amateurs in 2014.

[Resolute 14]

No, hockey will not be dropped from the Olympics if the NHL refuses to send players.

Among the reasons why baseball was dropped was it is not widely played all over the world, a baseball stadium is a single purpose facility, and it wasnt one of the most popular sports on the docket.

Hockey is played in almost every country that competes in the winter games, with many having competitive teams. It is popular, and hockey can be played in the same arenas as figure skating, curling, short track speed skating, etc, etc.

[White Doors]

Oh, I misunderstood. No way hockey get's dropped from the Winter Olympics. NHL or no, it will ALWAYS be there. Hockey is mush more international than Baseball. Cricket is more international than baseball.

[nfotiu]

Olympics in soccer is like under 20 year olds, right?

If no nhl players, it would be cool if they did that.

I'm not a big fan of watching a bunch of semi-pro/career minor leaguer types. What's the point of putting together your best team of players who aren't good enough to be playing in the top leagues.

[White Doors]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

Olympics in soccer is like under 20 year olds, right?

If no nhl players, it would be cool if they did that.

I'm not a big fan of watching a bunch of semi-pro/career minor leaguer types. What's the point of putting together your best team of players who aren't good enough to be playing in the top leagues.

I'm just not a big fan of the best hockey league in the world being interrupted for a bunch of Euopean Intellectuals that have NO idea about how Hockey shold be played.

[OilersBaby]

It's interesting, most American hockey fans Ive talked to would rather NOT have NHLers allowed to play in the Olympics. They prefer teams like the "Miracle" Team USA 1980 one to win rather than NHLers taking over. I kind of agree, because it gives the other guys a chance to showcase their talents....and also, playing in the Olympics, an NHL dude could get injured, which would mess up his NHL team once he returned.

[Looger]

if there's no nhl, then the euro pro leagues shouldn't be allowed to send players either.

[jar_e]

The only thing I object to is that it's no longer about the best in the world any more. Isn't the olympics suppose to be the world's showcase for a nation's best and brightest athletes?!

[White Doors]

Originally Posted by jar_e

The only thing I object to is that it's no longer about the best in the world any more. Isn't the olympics suppose to be the world's showcase for a nation's best and brightest athletes?!

Best and brightest amateurs!

[HOZ]

I think the WJC team(s) in an Olympic year should be our (world) Olympians.


Whatcha think of that?

[shoestring]

Originally Posted by Looger

if there's no nhl, then the euro pro leagues shouldn't be allowed to send players either.

Hoz .[/QUOTE]
I think the WJC team(s) in an Olympic year should be our (world) Olympians. .[/QUOTE]

I am fine with this. All professional team sports, should butt out.
Not relay teams or wrestling teams, but regularily scheduled, season ticket, team games.

There would be have to be exceptions I suppose,till a sport produced a certain amount of revenues, (which they might not attain) to support the athletes.

Curling and water polo and beach volleyball might be on the cancel list, or just Juniors list and I would think there are many others,but if they aren't growing keep them in the olympics.To a point,of course.
If they reach a certain size only accept underagers to that sport.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by Looger

if there's no nhl, then the euro pro leagues shouldn't be allowed to send players either.

Where would Canada get its players from, then?

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by HOZ

I think the WJC team(s) in an Olympic year should be our (world) Olympians.


Whatcha think of that?

I believe that the Olympics do something like this for soccer, where the players are all under 23 years of age.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by White Doors

Best and brightest amateurs!

The amateur designation was the rule because the upper classes wanted to keep the Olympics for the elite. The rich were the only ones able to afford to devote their time to training. The amateur idealism is a load of bunk.

[Looger]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Where would Canada get its players from, then?

our own amateurs.

before recent nhl participation the euro leagues would shut down so that they could use their vets that had been on every tournament throughout their career.

this is a total crap situation.

[OutOfTheCube]

I don't really care.

I just know last year I would've rather had an all-star game and have the playoffs start earlier than the Olympics.

[Hack&Lube]

I think the NHL isn't so stupid to kill one of their major sources of exposure.