[News] NHL players will not participate in 2018 Olympics?

[Stanathan]

Originally Posted by stone hands

no nhlers in the olympics would probably make me not watch them at all, as selfish as that sounds

It's not selfish at all; I feel the same and I am not apologetic nor do I feel guilty.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by -TC-

I'm on the fence...



On one hand the Olympics is about sending your best to compete with the other countries best, on the other hand, I believe that the Olympics are no place for professionals.



Hockey, basketball, baseball...whatever. I don't know that pros belong.



It's a tough call.

I think the distinction between "pro" and "amateur" isn't as clear as it used to be, which poses a problem.

Usain Bolt is technically an amateur, but he makes significant bank from endorsements. Does he get to participate while Crosby does not?

[GGG]

I think this is really about trying to get some cash from the IOC to let players participate.

Right now the olympics gets to make money while te NHL takes the risk. Rebalance it and the players go.

[Igster]

I personally don't think pros should be at the Olympics and I don't like the long break so I would be OK with the NHL players not going. I realize a lot like them there, but personally I don't think they should be. Just my opinion.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Itse

Only in NA would the owners be so greedy and self-centered that they would not let their players participate in the olympics. The players that participate in the olympics remember for the rest of their lives. February NHL hockey is forgotten by the time the regular season is over.

It boggles the mind that people are even talking about this. If European owners suggested it, the fans would just hang them and be done with it.

Also; for the longterm success of the sport, memorable events are worth 1000 more than regular season games.

Greedy? Self-centered?

the men's ice hockey tournament will feature 149 NHL players who make a combined $629.74 million

Yeah those greedy #######s are allowing that kind of money to go over with absolutely ZERO benefit to themselves...and nevermind should some of those guys get injured they will still get paid every dollar by these greedy owners to NOT be playing for them.

Greedy? What a load of crap.

If Im an owner, I too would say never ever again unless i see some direct benefit from....as its supposed to be a partnership afterall. Yet in this scenario, only one side sees any sort of return.

[Locke]

This is getting old. I dont care, just pick one. Either the NHL participates or it doesnt, I just dont want to go through the same damned dog and pony show every 4 years.

Decide and stick with it.

[troutman]

They will be there because the players want to be there. The fans want them to be there. The NHL should want them to be there too. It grows the game. You don't see Bob Costas talking about Alex Ovechkin very often.

The NHL probably just uses it as a bargaining chip, and will always give it away in the end.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Greedy? Self-centered?



Yeah those greedy #######s are allowing that kind of money to go over with absolutely ZERO benefit to themselves...and nevermind should some of those guys get injured they will still get paid every dollar by these greedy owners to NOT be playing for them.

Greedy? What a load of crap.

If Im an owner, I too would say never ever again unless i see some direct benefit from....as its supposed to be a partnership afterall. Yet in this scenario, only one side sees any sort of return.

Maybe the owner's should consider their business facilities are usually publicly subsidized and not worry too much about returning a little bit to that public for a couple weeks every year by allowing us to have the best athletes support our respective countries.

The injuries all make for pretty much a zero sum game anyway, as if one team starts sucking because their player gets hurt, then another team will benefit with an unexpected playoff run or whatever anyway.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

I couldn't care less if the NHL players aren't in the Olympics, as long as the resurrect the World Cup or something like that and we get a best on best tournament once every 4 years minimum.

In fact I think I'd rather have that happen, than continue to have the NHL in the Olympics. I dislike this extended interruption to the NHL season, and the only thing that gets me jazzed about the hockey is the fact that it's best on best, but that could be easily replaced with a World Cup.

Keep NHL hockey on during the Olympics, have armatures who's biggest accomplishment would be an Olympic medal playing in the actual Olympics would actually be cool, and have a best on best take place in the offseason would probably be my preference.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

The reason the Olympics was originally limited to amateurs was to keep the great unwashed from competing. It was an elitist organization for the rich and privileged. Well the organization still is and is a great money maker for the privileged few. Amateurism is a sham and pretty much always has been.

Yup. In fact, "sports" like dressage and modern pentathalon were originally invented to give minor nobles and lordlings a means to show off. The Victorian ideal of amateurism not only worked to separate the rich, powerful and lordly from the peasants on the playing field, but sought to put the peasants in their place by making them pay for the privilege of watching their betters play.

Amateurism is a sham that has no place in any event that purports to pit the best in the world against each other.

If the NHL won't go, the Russians will just send their players from the KHL, ditto for the Swedes and Finns and Czechs and their leagues. We'll have Boyd and any other pro rejects playing in Europe with maybe the odd junior hot shot and will be in trouble to qualify.

The Americans will be in better shape than Canada by taking a college team groomed for the tournament.

Disagree on the American argument for two reasons. First, Canada could just as easily bring a team of college athletes, and probably a better team than the US could put together at this point. But that is moot because a team of veteran cast offs playing in Europe would crush any team of 20-21 year old college kids.

[Inglewood Jack]

Didn't Tavares say in that one commercial that the greatest achievement as a hockey player is to win the Stanley Cup, and the greatest achievement as an athlete is to win gold at the Olympic games? Even if they ever do get the World Cup tourney organized, I don't think it'll ever have the same mystique for players as the Olympics, and it will show in the participation and effort levels in the games themselves, especially if it's right before NHL training camp.

[Cheese]

They should play the games in the summer Olys...like Basketball...problem solved. well except the ice.

[Aarongavey]

This would be a great opportunity for the khl, get some of the top players to pull a Radulov and go to Russia for a year or two, make good money and then come back to the NHL and fulfill the rest of your contract, all the while getting the opportunity to play in the Olympics.

[habernac]

there are no more amateurs, send the pros.

[Muta]

The Olympics is supposed to showcase the best athletes in the world. Why cheapen the Games with displaying anything but?

I am in full support of NHL'ers going to the Olympics. They are the best in the world at what they do, and their presence helps to grow the game around the world through sheer exposure and excitement alone.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

Maybe the owner's should consider their business facilities are usually publicly subsidized and not worry too much about returning a little bit to that public for a couple weeks every year by allowing us to have the best athletes support our respective countries.

The injuries all make for pretty much a zero sum game anyway, as if one team starts sucking because their player gets hurt, then another team will benefit with an unexpected playoff run or whatever anyway.

Ummmm...what does this have to do with anything i said?

[Dan02]

I'm confused, during the lockout I thought one of the things that was negotiated upon was nhl players playing in the Olympics, seeing as the cba extends beyond Korea I.didn't think this was open for negotiation. Of course I know nothing of the cba beyond what I think I read in the media.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Dan02

I'm confused, during the lockout I thought one of the things that was negotiated upon was nhl players playing in the Olympics, seeing as the cba extends beyond Korea I.didn't think this was open for negotiation. Of course I know nothing of the cba beyond what I think I read in the media.

No, it's a separate negotiation between the NHL/NHLPA, IOC, and IIHF.

This is all the CBA says about the Olympics:

24.5 The NHL and the NHLPA shall continue to work together to jointly create and exploit other international projects and initiatives involving NHL Players other than International Hockey Games, including games, series, events or contests (e.g., the World Cup of Hockey, European Champions' League, Victoria Cup Competition, Olympic participation, etc.). All revenues from such projects and initiatives (net of expenses incurred pursuant to budgets approved by the International Committee, including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Direct Costs and NHL and NHLPA staffing costs) shall be excluded from HRR pursuant to Section 50.1(b)(xviii) and divided equally between the NHL and NHLPA.

[FAN]

I have no problems with professionals being allowed to play in the Olympics because the difference between an amateur and a professional comes down to an arbitrary rule. Are CHL players professionals because they receive a stipend to spend on whatever they want? What about medal bonuses? If you win gold and receive a medal bonus should you be prevented from competing in the next Olympics? What about European hockey players who turn pro well before they are 18?

[Resolute 14]

Well, the question of amateurs vs. pros is moot. The Olympics allow professionals and and won't change. That's the bell that can no longer be unrung. The question here is what calibre of professionals will go, and it has been well known for a long time that the NHL no longer wants anything to do with the Olympics for a number of reasons.