[News] NHL players will not participate in 2018 Olympics? - Page 15 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Enoch Root · 02-12-2014, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stemit14

If the Olympics would stop being so head strong about controlling the content, the NHL might be more willing to keep letting players go to the Olympics. The Olympics should allow the NHL to use the footage of the Olympic Games to promote the players from their league. They should allow players to have their NHL team logo as a shoulder patch or something. Things like this would make the Olympics into more of a platform for the NHL to showcase their players and their league.

As Canadians, we would turn into the underdogs of the Olympic tournament if the KHL and euro leagues sent their players while the Canadians sent amateurs.

If they allow one, they have to allow all, and think of the gong show that would ensue. Will never happen.

Otto-matic · 02-13-2014, 12:53 PM

gary lawless‏@garylawless14mSwedish media saying Zetterberg done for the tournament #bn #sochi14

This could lead towards the NHL starting to withdraw from the olympics for 2018.

Locke · 02-13-2014, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

gary lawless‏@garylawless14mSwedish media saying Zetterberg done for the tournament #bn #sochi14

This could lead towards the NHL starting to withdraw from the olympics for 2018.

Didnt he just get back from injury?

Ozy_Flame · 02-13-2014, 01:12 PM

Mikael Backlund anyone?

Resolute 14 · 02-13-2014, 01:13 PM

Its too late. The rosters are set in stone, I believe.

Locke · 02-13-2014, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Its too late. The rosters are set in stone, I believe.

Indeed.

Ozy_Flame · 02-13-2014, 01:14 PM

undercoverbrother · 02-13-2014, 01:17 PM

It would sadden me if the NHL pulled out of 2018 and beyond.

I really don't understand why hockey doesn't seem to want to have an regular & annual best on best national tourney.

A world cup or olympics only raises the profile of the game and the stars of the game, there by increasing the insterest in the professional teams and league in which these players play.

Sad really.

Ozy_Flame · 02-13-2014, 01:19 PM

If I didn't want to watch NHL'ers play, I'd watch the Spengler Cup. And I don't have to wait every four years to do it.

Hackey · 02-13-2014, 01:25 PM

I think what makes the Olympics so special is that the entire world is watching and cares at that moment of time. The stage is so much bigger. There is a true sense of pride with everyone involved. A World Cup of hockey is only important to hockey fans and to me it's not nearly the same. If the NHL doesn't allow the players to go oh well but a World Cup of hockey wouldn't be nearly as interesting to me. From a roster standpoint I'm sure you would see quite a few opt out as well which kind of defeats the purpose. Not nearly the same level of importance and passion with something like this.

Resolute 14 · 02-13-2014, 01:29 PM

Can't think of anybody who opted out in 1996 or 2004...

undercoverbrother · 02-13-2014, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Can't think of anybody who opted out in 1996 or 2004...

Agreed, I think players would kill to be selected to play for their country.

_Q_ · 02-13-2014, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hackey

I think what makes the Olympics so special is that the entire world is watching and cares at that moment of time. The stage is so much bigger. There is a true sense of pride with everyone involved. A World Cup of hockey is only important to hockey fans and to me it's not nearly the same. If the NHL doesn't allow the players to go oh well but a World Cup of hockey wouldn't be nearly as interesting to me. From a roster standpoint I'm sure you would see quite a few opt out as well which kind of defeats the purpose. Not nearly the same level of importance and passion with something like this.

This.

I travelled to Europe 2 years ago and as soon as I mentioned I'm Canadian, people started talking about the 2010 Men's Hockey Gold Medal to me. The year before, I went to the Middle East, and my relatives in Jordan told me about how they watched Canada beat USA for the Gold Medal and how incredible the game was. This comes from people who have no clue how the game is played, but it's the Olympics and hockey is the biggest sport so you'll watch it if it's on no matter where you are.

If the NHL's mandate is to grow the game, it would be a huge mistake to stop going to the Olympics.

Locke · 02-13-2014, 01:40 PM

Zetterberg is day-to-day with a reinjury to his herniated disc in his back. I havent read that hes out for the rest of the tournament but that hes to be re-evaluated tomorrow.

That said, a herniated disc is usually pretty serious, I cant see him playing again.

Resolute 14 · 02-13-2014, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Q_

If the NHL's mandate is to grow the game, it would be a huge mistake to stop going to the Olympics.

That's not the NHL's mandate though. The NHL's mandate is to grow its own business.

foshizzle11 · 02-13-2014, 01:55 PM

so some have the argument that the Olympics are for amateurs. So who are amateurs in hockey in the world? Anyone making any sort of income from playing sport is considered a professional? That would be the case for any nationally identified athlete who gets money from Sport Canada or Own the Podium?

So would AHL players or CHL or anyone playing in Europe who is Canadian would represent us at the Olympics? It just seems messy.

undercoverbrother · 02-13-2014, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

That's not the NHL's mandate though. The NHL's mandate is to grow its own business.

The NHL's business is hockey. Wouldn't it be great is some NHL teams became the marketing and money making monsters like Man U.

Professional soccer/rugby embrace the national/international teams.

CliffFletcher · 02-13-2014, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Professional soccer/rugby embrace the national/international teams.

But not in the Olympics.

undercoverbrother · 02-13-2014, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

so some have the argument that the Olympics are for amateurs. So who are amateurs in hockey in the world? Anyone making any sort of income from playing sport is considered a professional? That would be the case for any nationally identified athlete who gets money from Sport Canada or Own the Podium?

So would AHL players or CHL or anyone playing in Europe who is Canadian would represent us at the Olympics? It just seems messy.

Requirements to be amatuer were abandoned in the 90's.

There are no amateur athletes at the games.

There are just rich and poor athletes.

undercoverbrother · 02-13-2014, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

But not in the Olympics.

Soccer's main event is the World Cup, far and away, Olympics are but an after thought. My point was that professional soccer teams know they are in the business of growing Soccer, not just "their business".

Seven's is an Olympic sport. Fifteens will never been an Olympic sport. That being said every year professional rugby in both the North and South are disrupted by yearly tourneys (6 Nations and Rugby Championship). Those professional teams are still expected to play their league games minus their players that are playing on the national team. They do this, amongst other reasons, because it grows Rugby, not just "their business".