2018 Olympics Thread: News and Discussion

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Lord Carnage

Does anyone else here feel like it isn't the NHL holding out to get something from the IOC/IIHF, but instead holding out to get something from the NHLPA?

I mean, the players (from what I understand) do really want to go, with the NHL seeing not much benefit from going in 2018. 2022 in China is something else, but Korea?

I'm starting to think they are playing coy to get a concession from the NHLPA (like the PA did to get the week off in exchange for the 3-on-3 allstar game). Maybe something like extended the life of the existing CBA - which I think the NHL already floated once and got shot down...???

Anyway, just wondering.

Either way I hope the IOC/IIHF tells them to stuff it if they think they can pick and choose which Olympics they are interested in attending. We already have a watered down sad excuse for a hockey tournament in the new world cup and the world juniors has become just as bad. This kind of petty BS is exactly what ruins amateur competition and degrades high profile events like this.

I know I'll be watching the full slate of Olympics coverage instead of tuning into game #60 or whatever that may be on the NHL regular season schedule.

[Lord Carnage]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Either way I hope the IOC/IIHF tells them to stuff it if they think they can pick and choose which Olympics they are interested in attending. We already have a watered down sad excuse for a hockey tournament in the new world cup and the world juniors has become just as bad. This kind of petty BS is exactly what ruins amateur competition and degrades high profile events like this.

I know I'll be watching the full slate of Olympics coverage instead of tuning into game #60 or whatever that may be on the NHL regular season schedule.

Like I said, I don't really think he's looking for more from the IOC/IIHF, but rather the NHLPA.

Either way though, are you really sure you would be tuning into an Olympic hockey game at 2am instead of watching the NHL's game 60 at 7pm?

[Resolute 14]

I think the league is looking for more from both, but if either gives the NHL a good carrot, they would probably take it and spin it positively.

[_Q_]

I'm so bloody sick of this constant adversarial attitude the NHL has with the NHLPA. "Want to go to the Olympics? Well guess what, we don't. Now let's squabble over it for months and cause a work stoppage."

[Jay Random]

How about the NHLPA's constant adversarial attitude with the NHL? ‘Hey, let's hire the guy who made MLB cancel the '94 World Series! That'll show 'em!’

[Lord Carnage]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I'm so bloody sick of this constant adversarial attitude the NHL has with the NHLPA. "Want to go to the Olympics? Well guess what, we don't. Now let's squabble over it for months and cause a work stoppage."

Yup - just like the whole, "You want 3-on-3 for the all-star game? OK, give us a week off in the middle of the season" that the NHLPA did to the league.

It isn't a good relationship, but I would guess that's what you get when one side only cares about the players, and the other about the owners. Neither one cares - first and foremost - about the game of hockey overall.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Where is that proven?

The IIHF has always upheld league suspensions and will do so again. They are not going to rock the boat with the NHL on that issue. Do you think Bettman would be saying things like "we are not going" if he didn't know he could enforce it?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I'm so bloody sick of this constant adversarial attitude the NHL has with the NHLPA. "Want to go to the Olympics? Well guess what, we don't. Now let's squabble over it for months and cause a work stoppage."

Near as I can tell is that the league offered to go if the union agreed to extend the CBA. The union said no.

The union, in counter has offered... nothing.

[Bunk]

Why do they do this dance every Olympics. It would be better to come up with a long term framework that covers 4-6 games.

I'd suggest something like no All Star game in Olympic years.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Bunk

I'd suggest something like no All Star game in Olympic years.

They already do that for Olympic years.

[Tyler]

Don't blame the NHL one bit on this. Sucks for fans, but they've got a legitimate beef in wanting to be compensated appropriately

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Why do they do this dance every Olympics. It would be better to come up with a long term framework that covers 4-6 games.

I'd suggest something like no All Star game in Olympic years.

That's a big fail on the union, actually. The NHL had already made it clear that it wanted out of the Olympics before the last lockout. The players secured an agreement for 2014, but failed to do so for 2018 and 2022. But they might have been hoping that either the league was outright bluffing, or that the IOC and IIHF would cave without them having to give anything up.