No NHL at the Olympics / Toronto VS Washington - Stadium Series

[GirlySports]

It's on the players and that's fine. I've always thought the player's position was wrong. Your country should be giving you something to go play, not vice versa. The IOC and Hockey Canada gets off scot-free.

In soccer FIFA mandates players represent their country when selected. But they have to give the clubs something. Thing such as, pre-determined designated timeframes, insurance, training facilities, prize money. Players get appearance fees and bonuses for playing. It's a bit different because the Premier League is under the English FA and by extension FIFA umbrella whereas the NHL is not under Hockey Canada or USA Hockey.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

The players risk injury which could impact their career and/or future contracts. In other words, both sides take a financial risk.

The Players are insured. Guess who pays for that insurance?

The Players risk nothing. They still get paid no matter what.

[Resolute 14]

Well, that's not entirely true either, Locke. A significant injury always has the potential to reduce a player's future earnings potential.

It is, however, quite true that the players collectively have the lowest risk of anyone in this equation overall though.

[Weitz]

I won't be surprised in the next CBA that its the players who get something out of going to the Olympics because the owners really want to be in China.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

I'd be curious how ratings and to a lesser extent, attendance play out for the NHL during the Olympics. More of an issue for their broadcast partners...I wonder if NBC will even air any NHL hockey during that period.

I know time zones are different, and it's not necessarily going to affect season ticket holders as much, but I'd rather stay at home and watch the quadrennially scarce product than buy a walkup NHL ticket.

It's not like NBC shows many NHL games in February anyway. NBC-SN usually has a couple of games during the week at that time of year which they might drop in favour of tape-delayed Olympic coverage, but it won't be a big deal either way.

I'm sure HNIC will air as normal during those few weekends.

Most of the hockey games in the Olympics are scheduled to start at either 4:40pm Korea time (12:40am MST/2:40am EST) or 9:10pm Korea time (5:10am MST/7:10am EST).

There are a few games scheduled for 12:10pm Korea time (8:10pm MST/10:10pm EST). Those are the only ones that overlap with prime time in North America (and only for those of us out west).

The Men's Gold Medal game will be at 3:10pm Korea time on February 25, which is 11:10pm MST on Saturday night, February 24. That works out perfectly for a triple header on CBC that night with two HNIC games, followed by the Gold Medal game.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Well, that's not entirely true either, Locke. A significant injury always has the potential to reduce a player's future earnings potential.

It is, however, quite true that the players collectively have the lowest risk of anyone in this equation overall though.

Good point and fair enough, except that your assertion is also not entirely correct.

The IIHF/IOC risk absolutely nothing. I'd contend that they hold the lowest risk of anyone in the equation.

The only thing they put up is baseline cash for insurance, travel and accommodation, the cash that they rake in during the tournament is going to unquestionably cover those costs so in actual effect they risk nothing but reap all the reward.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I won't be surprised in the next CBA that its the players who get something out of going to the Olympics because the owners really want to be in China.

Then they're going to have to get it out of the IOC/IIHF because the owners get jack-all from the Olympics, so unless the players are willing to make HRR concessions to cement their right to go to the Olympics they're not getting anything.

And I doubt they're going to do that because the players are a Union, which is supposed to operate to the best interests of all its members, not just the select few who get selected to go to the Olympics.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Locke

Then they're going to have to get it out of the IOC/IIHF because the owners get jack-all from the Olympics, so unless the players are willing to make HRR concessions to cement their right to go to the Olympics they're not getting anything.

And I doubt they're going to do that because the players are a Union, which is supposed to operate to the best interests of all its members, not just the select few who get selected to go to the Olympics.

Yes but the Owners have been sold on going to China to grow their revenues according to the media. They can accept going to China and not making money because the thought is it will grow the game exponentially. Korea doesn't offer that.

I can't recall where I heard it but something like 95% of all NHLPA members are in favour of the Olympics. The guys like their 3 week holiday mid season.

I think we are in for another lockout when the CBA is over and I could see this as something the players use to try and leverage something, I don't know what, but I think they will try and get something in return for going to China.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Yes but the Owners have been sold on going to China to grow their revenues according to the media.

I can't recall where I heard it but something like 95% of all NHLPA members are in favour of the Olympics. The guys like their 3 week holiday mid season.

I think we are in for another lockout when the CBA is over and I could see this as something the players use to try and leverage sometime, I don't know what, but I think they will try and get something in return for going to China.

1. Almost Certainly.

If I'm an owner I'd offer to fire Gary Bettman in exchange for the PA to fire Fehr.

Get two completely new guys in there who can build a working relationship so this isnt 'Owners vs. Players' every single time.

I'm a fan of Bettman, I really am, but I dont think the PA can replace their leadership while the League doesnt. You just need new blood so the old battles arent constantly being fought and re-fought.

Just two totally new people.

2. Again, the NHL get nothing from the Olympics. Jack. Bupkiss. Not even a reach-around. So they're not giving the players or conceding anything.

If the NHL wants China they'll go to China. They'll play pre-season games or....wait, they're already doing that. They dont need the Olympics and they dont want the Olympics.

[GirlySports]

NHL needs to market NHL hockey to China, not international hockey.
How that Chinese prospect for the Islanders doing? Draft more Chinese kids.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

Are you for real? Do you not consider it plausible that a casual NHL fan who watches games occasionally wouldn't consider watching the Olympics instead? Using flames fans as an example. If we didn't have NHL players at the 2014 olympics do you not think some people still would have chosen to tune in to that rather than watch the Iginla-less Flames lose games on a nightly basis at the start of a rebuild?

I have zero idea what you are arguing any longer...none.

I will state...matter of factly...

If the NHL players dont go to the Olympics and somehow it lines up that the amateur/european players are playing in the Olys vs NHL teams playing games with NHL players at the same time of day...there will be ZERO discernable difference in the NHL ratings compared what they would be if the Olympic competition wasnt being contested. The NHL is a hundred times better hockey at that point. Stop.

If the Flames are playing someone on Saturday night in late February on one channel and a playoff race is well underway....and on another channel you have the opportunity to watch Mayson Raymond and Derek Grant line up against Bob Hartleys Latvia squad featuring Kristers Gudļevskis ...which one are you really gonna watch?

Such a dumb argument.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I have zero idea what you are arguing any longer...none.

I will state...matter of factly...

If the NHL players dont go to the Olympics and somehow it lines up that the amateur/european players are playing in the Olys vs NHL teams playing games with NHL players at the same time of day...there will be ZERO discernable difference in the NHL ratings compared what they would be if the Olympic competition wasnt being contested. The NHL is a hundred times better hockey at that point. Stop.

If the Flames are playing someone on Saturday night in late February on one channel and a playoff race is well underway....and on another channel you have the opportunity to watch Mayson Raymond and Derek Grant line up against Bob Hartleys Latvia squad featuring Kristers Gudļevskis ...which one are you really gonna watch?

Such a dumb argument.

You do realize that hockey isn't the only event at the Winter Olympics right? Are you really that convinced that NHL fans won't potentially watch their country go for gold in other olympic events over an NHL game that may or may not even mean anything?

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by Locke

Good point and fair enough, except that your assertion is also not entirely correct.

The IIHF/IOC risk absolutely nothing. I'd contend that they hold the lowest risk of anyone in the equation.

The only thing they put up is baseline cash for insurance, travel and accommodation, the cash that they rake in during the tournament is going to unquestionably cover those costs so in actual effect they risk nothing but reap all the reward.

I can't recall anyone suggesting the the IIHF is risking anything by having the NHL participate. I'm pretty sure resolute meant between the players and owners, the players have the least at stake. Which is debatable.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

You do realize that hockey isn't the only event at the Winter Olympics right? Are you really that convinced that NHL fans won't potentially watch their country go for gold in other olympic events over an NHL game that may or may not even mean anything?

And you realize all those other events will be occurring at 2AM to 4PM in the afternoon right?

Maybe if there is a Gold medal game/event that includes Canada that starts at 6PM in SK, you will be able to tear away those NHL fans from watching their NHL teams at 3 AM....sure you got me there.

Again...dumbest argument ever.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by transplant99

And you realize all those other events will be occurring at 2AM to 4PM in the afternoon right?

Maybe if there is a Gold medal game/event that includes Canada that starts at 6PM in SK, you will be able to tear away those NHL fans from watching their NHL teams at 3 AM....sure you got me there.

Again...dumbest argument ever.

Broadcasters have historically re-played events during prime time when the Olympics have been held in different time zones, so unless you think people are going to stay up until 4am to watch an event I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that some viewers will watch the events at that time. I know, I know. I'm disagreeing with your opinion so I must be wrong. Maybe you could try agreeing to disagree and move on.

[Mr.Coffee]

Winter classic is Toronto Washington?

I guess Pittsburgh and Chicago were busy next year eh? Oh well, maybe the following year it can be Detroit / Chicago. Or New York / Detroit. Or Boston / Pittsburgh... or... or... or...

Carolina, Tampa, Florida, NYI, Devils, Nashville, St.Louis... Dallas... like there are 30 teams here NHL. Not just 7. And to add to this, I think there's a difference between the Stadium series and Winter Classic which seems to be the penultimate marketing gimmick. Not sure why, and not sure why the aversion to include any southern teams. It's not like it's a "real" classic game that started when these teams weren't around...

[northcrunk]

I will not be buying anything NHL branded next year and won't be watching during the olympic break. I wont be watching the olympics either.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

I will not be buying anything NHL branded next year and won't be watching during the olympic break. I wont be watching the olympics either.

So?

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Winter classic is Toronto Washington?

I guess Pittsburgh and Chicago were busy next year eh? Oh well, maybe the following year it can be Detroit / Chicago. Or New York / Detroit. Or Boston / Pittsburgh... or... or... or...

Carolina, Tampa, Florida, NYI, Devils, Nashville, St.Louis... Dallas... like there are 30 teams here NHL. Not just 7. And to add to this, I think there's a difference between the Stadium series and Winter Classic which seems to be the penultimate marketing gimmick. Not sure why, and not sure why the aversion to include any southern teams. It's not like it's a "real" classic game that started when these teams weren't around...

$$$$$$$$

Imagine if the NBA were run like the NHL and Cleveland-Golden State made the final 3 years in a row.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Winter classic is Toronto Washington?

I guess Pittsburgh and Chicago were busy next year eh? Oh well, maybe the following year it can be Detroit / Chicago. Or New York / Detroit. Or Boston / Pittsburgh... or... or... or...

Carolina, Tampa, Florida, NYI, Devils, Nashville, St.Louis... Dallas... like there are 30 teams here NHL. Not just 7. And to add to this, I think there's a difference between the Stadium series and Winter Classic which seems to be the penultimate marketing gimmick. Not sure why, and not sure why the aversion to include any southern teams. It's not like it's a "real" classic game that started when these teams weren't around...

Well, notwithstanding that they managed a couple in California, outdoor games in hot climates are probably expensive to set up. Of course, a southern team could play a northern team in the north but there's no rivalries to exploit.