[News] NHL players will not participate in 2018 Olympics? - Page 22 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

mustache ride · 02-22-2014, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigwd

Why does everyone automatically assume this would be what happens? Is there no faith in players who are not currently playing in the NHL?

We went 50 years without a gold previously.

Hemi-Cuda · 02-23-2014, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigwd

Why does everyone automatically assume this would be what happens? Is there no faith in players who are not currently playing in the NHL?

Think of the players that Canada sends to the Spengler Cup, that's the caliber of talent we would send to the Olympics with no NHL representation. Now imagine that team playing against an all-star KHL team, likely bolstered by several NHL players who bolted. A tall order for a team made up of NHL has been's or rejects

dino7c · 02-23-2014, 12:34 AM

That is the worst part of the NHL not going, the European teams will still send pros

getbak · 02-23-2014, 12:57 AM

Since the best Soviet players started playing in the NHL, Canada has played for a medal in all but one Olympics (2006), and has played for gold in all but two Olympics (1998 and 2006).

5 out of the last 7 Olympics (including this year), Canada has been in the Gold Medal game. That predates NHL participation in the Olympics, even with the Euro leagues sending their pros.

SebC · 02-23-2014, 10:03 AM

If the NHL doesn't want to go to the Olympics, does it open the door to a new WHA?

wretched34 · 02-23-2014, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigwd

Why does everyone automatically assume this would be what happens? Is there no faith in players who are not currently playing in the NHL?

When you look at the Olympic Rosters now, who are the weakest teams?
The ones with the fewest NHL Players. Why? Because the best players in the world are NHL players. The next best, Professionals in Euro Leagues.
So, remove the NHL players, and suddenly the best Olympic teams will be those filled with Euro pro's. If the NHL opts out, a lot of the Europeans in the NHL, leave, and those European teams full of NHL players remain strong, as they all become KHL players, and the weaker Euro teams, currently matching Euro Pro players against NHL players, become dominant over Canada and USA, who are not sending Pros at all.

strombad · 02-23-2014, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wretched34

The KHL could cash in big time, on a bad decision by the NHL. They could open their doors, and North Americans could end up being the ones flooding over seas to play in the KHL. Why would star North American players want to stay in the NHL, when they can make just as much money, if not more, and still represent their countries when the time arises?

Insurance, quality of life, and safety are three pretty prime reasons why the KHL doesn't attract the same level of talent the NHL does on a regular basis.

A chance to play in the Olympics isn't going to make the KHL any more desirable than a few extra benjamins have.

868904 · 02-23-2014, 11:09 AM

I think they should limit the players to under age 22, a modified wjc.

We've seen how competitive the wjc can be and you'd still have best on best without needing to shut down the NHL season,

Most players under 22 are true amateurs as well keeping with the "spirit".

craigwd · 02-23-2014, 12:32 PM

Just go back to a permanent national team. NHLers can join if the Olympic Games are important to them. Have their contracts end in 2017 then take a year to join the National Team.

_Q_ · 02-23-2014, 12:42 PM

I think what would potentially happen is turning the Olympics into a U23 tournament with 3 over agers on each team like they do with soccer. I also think the NHL will continue to take the 10 days off and participate, but obviously under the new age rules.

Erick Estrada · 02-23-2014, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wretched34

I think if the NHL decides to keep players out of the Olympics, it will come back to haunt them. This could really bite them in the ass. I personally think the Olympics mean a lot more to players than a lot of you seem to believe.
The KHL could cash in big time, on a bad decision by the NHL. They could open their doors, and North Americans could end up being the ones flooding over seas to play in the KHL. Why would star North American players want to stay in the NHL, when they can make just as much money, if not more, and still represent their countries when the time arises?
Even if it is just Europeans that opt out of the NHL, in order to be a part of the Olympics, that has an impact on NHL talent. 28% of the top 50 point scorers in the NHL right now, are European.... that is a fairly large number, that is a lot of star power lost, and a lot of revenue for a lot of teams that is out the window... A team like Detroit would lose the faces of their franchise, as an example.
And what happens to the Olympics? Canada and the USA would almost instantly become the worst teams in the tournament, that would be crushing to fans.... I think a lot of people would be really upset when they watch Canada get their asses handed to them by the teams we consider weak now, not to mention the onslaught of the Swede's Russians and Finns, we'd be the joke of the Olympics by sending Amateurs to play professionals.

You really need to read "The King of Russia" by Dave King. Anyone that thinks the KHL is a viable alternative for an NHL player is totally out to lunch. The KHL will always lure its share of Russian players but it's not remotely close to the NHL in pay and lifestyle.

craigwd · 02-23-2014, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You really need to read "The King of Russia" by Dave King. Anyone that thinks the KHL is a viable alternative for an NHL player is totally out to lunch. The KHL will always lure its share of Russian players but it's not remotely close to the NHL in pay and lifestyle.

I would mention that Dave King was coaching in the Russian Super League and that it was 9 years ago. Granted that was the predecessor to the KHL but from what I've heard, it's better now. A lot better? Not sure, not comparable to the high flying American life but it is better.

undercoverbrother · 02-23-2014, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You really need to read "The King of Russia" by Dave King. Anyone that thinks the KHL is a viable alternative for an NHL player is totally out to lunch. The KHL will always lure its share of Russian players but it's not remotely close to the NHL in pay and lifestyle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigwd

I would mention that Dave King was coaching in the Russian Super League and that it was 9 years ago. Granted that was the predecessor to the KHL but from what I've heard, it's better now. A lot better? Not sure, not comparable to the high flying American life but it is better.

Did either of you catch the show Sportsnet did on Iron Mike and his coaching position currently. It was interesting, but not really a curtains pulled back look into the KHL.

Rerun · 02-23-2014, 03:33 PM

Didn't we go down this same road and hear the same rumors four years ago? .... about these Olympics?

corporatejay · 02-23-2014, 03:37 PM

This is all I need to know about the KHL. And keep in mind this happened in Moscow, the most prosperous and rich city in the country. I can't imagine what some of the smaller cities do.

blender · 02-23-2014, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Think of the players that Canada sends to the Spengler Cup, that's the caliber of talent we would send to the Olympics with no NHL representation. Now imagine that team playing against an all-star KHL team, likely bolstered by several NHL players who bolted. A tall order for a team made up of NHL has been's or rejects

I'd give the Canadians an even chance if the Russians were as poorly coached as they were in Sochi!

killer_carlson · 02-23-2014, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SebC

If the NHL doesn't want to go to the Olympics, does it open the door to a new WHA?

I don't think so.

The biggest reason is lack of 20,000 seat arenas outside of NHL cities which would still support a pro hockey team.

nfotiu · 02-23-2014, 07:16 PM

I find it a shame that this turned into a players vs owners battle at some point. It would be nice if the owners showed they cared anything about North American fans if hockey who like to watch their best players represent them in the Olympics. It is one of the few things these players do that isn't all about money and is more about them wanting to win a medal for their country.

The owners get their buildings payed by tax payers, and earn a good chunk if their income from people who don't even watch games. It would be nice if they could just give a little something back to the public instead of trying to use this as leverage for concessions by the players.

cDnStealth · 02-24-2014, 06:43 AM

I think the NHL will be there for 2018. The players clearly enjoy participating in the Olympics and I think it's good for the game. Honestly, if they aren't in Korea I probably won't be very invested in Olympic hockey. There is something very special about watching the best of the best play together and without NHL participation I'd probably just end up watching other events instead.

Resolute 14 · 02-24-2014, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 868904

I think they should limit the players to under age 22, a modified wjc.

We've seen how competitive the wjc can be and you'd still have best on best without needing to shut down the NHL season,

Most players under 22 are true amateurs as well keeping with the "spirit".

Not really, no. Like the WJC, a U-22 tournament would gravitate toward 20-21 year olds, and those players are unquestionably not amateurs. In fact, you still have the problem where the best players in that age group are in the NHL and won't be going. Even in Europe, the best 19-20-21 year olds will have been playing pro for several years.