[News] Tavares done for the season - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

nfotiu · 02-20-2014, 09:52 AM

I think this is being overblown a bit. If they'd been playing nhl hockey for 2 weeks, people would have hurt themselves too.

I don't see any way good coming out of nhl players not playing, especially if you are a Canadian fan. I am guessing AHL players with NHL contracts would be excluded too, so we'd be looking at a pool of players playing in Europe and semi pro NA leagues against the best of the KHL. They may get a miracle medal once in a while, but it would be pretty much back to the old Olympic hockey days where we didn't have much to cheer for.

It doesn't seem like a summer world cup would work anymore either. There isn't the intense international rivalry like there was during the cold war. Canada/US is pretty much the biggest rivalry, and I don't see many Americans caring to watch hockey during the summer. It would be pretty hard to build it without any tradition. The Olympics brings that tradition and makes it a lot easier for people in a lot of countries to be passionate about it.

JiriHrdina · 02-20-2014, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyC

So when do you hold the WC? In July? The NHL playoffs go into mid June. What about the athletes that participated in NHL playoffs, now go to WC for a few weeks and have about 1 month off before they're back to training camp again?

Sure - do it every 4 years and only involve the top 6 nations. No need to include the rest.
Canada
US
Russia
Finland
Sweden
One more between Czech, Slovakia, etc.

Plett25 · 02-20-2014, 09:56 AM

If NHL player participation in the Olympics is replaced with NHL player participation in a World Cup or Canada Cup, doesn't Tavares injure his knee in the summer tournament and miss a season anyway?

If Tavares' injury keeps NHL players out of the Olympics, why wouldn't it keep NHL players out of all international tournaments?

devo22 · 02-20-2014, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

I believe all the domestic soccer leagues in Europe take a break around the Xmas holidays?

all leagues do except for the Premier League ... they are actually nuts during those weeks (f.e. they usually have games on Dec 26, Dec 28/29 and Jan 1). Arsenal did in fact play between Jan 1 and Jan 13 - they played an FA Cup fixture on Jan 4.

All the other big leagues have a Christmas break though. The Primera Division has a 2 week break for example, and the Bundesliga even has a 4 week break.

Hockey_Ninja · 02-20-2014, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Buffalo is likely going to have two top 5 picks next season. Unbelievable.

Worst trade in recent memory.

JiriHrdina · 02-20-2014, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfotiu

I think this is being overblown a bit. If they'd been playing nhl hockey for 2 weeks, people would have hurt themselves too.

Sure but from the owner point of view - it is one thing for a guy to get hurt playing for your team, it is an entirely different thing for him to get hurt playing in an international tournament.

I think Islander fans would feel the same too - particularly if they were closer to a playoff spot.

GirlySports · 02-20-2014, 10:00 AM

Echoing nfotiu.

I don't know.. injuries happen. It's not like if the NHLers didn't go to the Olympics the NHL would still be off 2 weeks. He could have gotten hurt playing for the Islanders yesterday night. Stamkos got hurt before the Olympics instead of at the Olympics, what difference does it make?

didn't we all want Gio going? I'm sure Flames owners wanted him to go too. Getting hurt is just part of hockey.

GirlySports · 02-20-2014, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Sure - do it every 4 years and only involve the top 6 nations. No need to include the rest.
Canada
US
Russia
Finland
Sweden
One more between Czech, Slovakia, etc.

Add Quebec, they are recognized by the IIHF

So you have 8 teams. Or 6 teams and a qualifying tournament.
This is the problem with hockey though, the NHL controls everything and there is absolutely no time to play any international games.

flambers · 02-20-2014, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfotiu

I think this is being overblown a bit. If they'd been playing nhl hockey for 2 weeks, people would have hurt themselves too.

I don't see any way good coming out of nhl players not playing, especially if you are a Canadian fan.

I am guessing AHL players with NHL contracts would be excluded too, so we'd be looking at a pool of players playing in Europe and semi pro NA leagues against the best of the KHL. They may get a miracle medal once in a while, but it would be pretty much back to the old Olympic hockey days where we didn't have much to cheer for.

It doesn't seem like a summer world cup would work anymore either. There isn't the intense international rivalry like there was during the cold war. Canada/US is pretty much the biggest rivalry, and I don't see many Americans caring to watch hockey during the summer. It would be pretty hard to build it without any tradition. The Olympics brings that tradition and makes it a lot easier for people in a lot of countries to be passionate about it.

Personally my bet is the NHL had made their decision before these games even started... which was not to go to 2018 Olympics.

Injuries etc.,... will make the decision easier for the NHL

Time zone thing is also a major pain... There are many fans who are not watching the games due to work etc.

World Cup would be done in a better Time zone... Ratings would see a major increase for North America IMO.

nik- · 02-20-2014, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parallex

I wouldn't bet on it.

I don't think the Islanders are going to be that bad (bottom 4/5 in the league) next year... young core + high pick this year + no reverse performance incentive (no high pick means less incentive to sell at deadline, deliberately play suboptimal line-up like we did for the Nashville game last year, etc.). I wouldn't say them handing Buff a top 5 pick is out of the question, if there's anything the Islanders are good at it's being bad, but absent the 1st round pick a lot of their late season discision making process will be different to reflect that. Top 10 pick? yeah I could buy that but top five is far from a sure thing.

The Sabres are going to be really bad though. I find it shocking that they're this bad with a legit elite goaltender having a great season.

I would almost bet on it. Vanek will be gone, Andrew MacDonald will be gone it's a low probability anyone of substance is going to sign there and they still have no goalile. That team is basically going to be Tavares and Okposo's hype next year. They're likely going to be awful.

dammage79 · 02-20-2014, 10:22 AM

Althletes know and are aware of the inherent risks involved with going to the Olympics. Injuries occur and will happen. I don't think the NHLPA who will be the major deciding factor in if the NHL returns to the Olympics will be voting down the opportunity. They know if they did that more than a few high profile international players will leave and go play at home for that chance.

Stanley cup or not, these players take it as an honor to play for their Country. I think the Bettman Fassel debate is interesting from that aspect, what is more important? The Cup or Olympic gold for you and your Country. I bet if you asked, you'd be surprised by the answer. I'd take gold over the cup. AS I am sure not of the players would too. Ask the Russians at this point.

I feel for Tavares but the Isles season was another bust anyhow. If they were competing for a playoff spot this would be devastating news.

Reign of Fire · 02-20-2014, 10:44 AM

Injuries can happen in any game, look at Stamkos...Tavares could've hurt himself in a NHL game.

Would the fans be so emotionally involved if the NHL players weren't there?

cDnStealth · 02-20-2014, 10:45 AM

I wish people would stop bitching and moaning about our potential draft position. Monahan has been a great pick at 6th overall and in case you haven't been paying attention to the past few years, picking first overall doesn't guarantee success.

JiriHrdina · 02-20-2014, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cDnStealth

I wish people would stop bitching and moaning about our potential draft position. Monahan has been a great pick at 6th overall and in case you haven't been paying attention to the past few years, picking first overall doesn't guarantee success.

This year in particular I care less about draft position at the top. I would prefer Ekblad but it is a weak draft at the top with little variance in the top few picks.

Next year though...

dino7c · 02-20-2014, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Nothing interesting about being an NHL fan over an Olympic fan. I like the Olympics but more for the amateur athletes that bust their ass for four years while getting by with sponsorship and working daytime jobs in some cases. I would rather go back to a non-NHL team so the focus could be more on the amateur athletes chasing the dream over millionaire athletes stealing the limelight over the two weeks.

enjoy watching amateur canadians getting their asses kicked by Russian pros

nik- · 02-20-2014, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

This year in particular I care less about draft position at the top. I would prefer Ekblad but it is a weak draft at the top with little variance in the top few picks.

Next year though...

Next year we need top 2 (even though that Noah Hanifin is also apparently a gangster too). Losing out on McDavid and having to "settle" for Eichel would be awesome.

Hockey gods ... we're owed.

Poe969 · 02-20-2014, 10:58 AM

In all honesty, I think it would amazing if we somehow ended up with 2 or 3 #1 overall picks and then just turned into a predominant Stanley Cup contender just to show the oilers how to build a team properly. I still think we can play bad enough to get a really good pick this year or trade up to get it, I think we'll be even worse next year and then the following year if we're either bad again or trade up again or win the lottery it would be amazing.

Instead of just making fun of the oilers for having a few #1 picks and doing nothing with it, it would be better to get a few #1 picks and actually become a contender

Ashasx · 02-20-2014, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cDnStealth

I wish people would stop bitching and moaning about our potential draft position. Monahan has been a great pick at 6th overall and in case you haven't been paying attention to the past few years, picking first overall doesn't guarantee success.

The 6th pick in 2014 would probably be equivalent to the 11th or 12th pick in 2013.

codynw · 02-20-2014, 11:06 AM

So the Islanders got robbed in that Vanek trade. It's actually really funny how bad that trade was.

Vanek is going to walk, and they gave up either a top 3 pick in 2014, or what is likely to be a very high pick in 2015. Just terrible. Unless they get something unreal for him at the deadline (they won't) this will be by far one of the worst trades to happen recently.

JiriHrdina · 02-20-2014, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poe969

In all honesty, I think it would amazing if we somehow ended up with 2 or 3 #1 overall picks and then just turned into a predominant Stanley Cup contender just to show the oilers how to build a team properly. I still think we can play bad enough to get a really good pick this year or trade up to get it, I think we'll be even worse next year and then the following year if we're either bad again or trade up again or win the lottery it would be amazing.

Instead of just making fun of the oilers for having a few #1 picks and doing nothing with it, it would be better to get a few #1 picks and actually become a contender

What would be EVEN better is to build a contender without a single #1 pick.