If there is a team in 4 years, or 8 years, or 12 years for that matter.

I just don't think Giroux is a good fit. They team needs another true winger, and Giroux is not that.
- MBFlyerfan

Correct. NHL players won be involved in at least the next two Olympics. The only reason they are in Sochi this time, is the NHL doesn't want to risk alienating the Russian hockey influence and agreements with player transfers. Everything is always about the money.....always has been, always will be!

Yes, because Hockey Canada must make this whole thing seem like selecting a Pope or something.

If they don't take Giroux, I will be rooting for Canada to finish out of the medal round completely because I think the whining and crying afterwards will be hilarious.
- johndewar

I am actively rooting against them taking Giroux. I don't want him there. I also want Timonen and Voracek to withdraw because of their current "not so healthy" statuses.

I am actively rooting against them taking Giroux. I don't want him there. I also want Timonen and Voracek to withdraw because of their current "not so healthy" statuses.
- MBFlyerfan

I agree. I strongly dislike shutting down the NHL for the Olympics.

St Louis selected. no surprise there

Correct. NHL players won be involved in at least the next two Olympics. The only reason they are in Sochi this time, is the NHL doesn't want to risk alienating the Russian hockey influence and agreements with player transfers. Everything is always about the money.....always has been, always will be!
- Hokeeguy9

The last thing the NHL wants to do is piss off their European players, who view the Olympics probably a bit differently than North American players.

St Louis selected. no surprise there
- nastyflyergirl

I'm pretty much OK with it. Rooting against Team Canada will now be my favorite thing to do in February.

Biggest issue with the flyers, IMO, is consistency. The team has shown an ability to compete with the best teams in the league with the roster than have. Not that I don't want to see some upgrades..
- funmaster18

IMO it is impossible to consistantly play.... I dont want to say above thier heads... but 100% effort doesnt work either....

I just dont think this team can Consistantly put up the efforts we seem to see for streches.

IMO it is impossible to consistantly play.... I dont want to say above thier heads... but 100% effort doesnt work either....

I just dont think this team can Consistantly put up the efforts we seem to see for streches.
- youarewrong

That's why their a bubble team, just like 60% of other teams in the league. They have talent but can't consistently win against the other teams in the league.

I'm pretty much OK with it. Rooting against Team Canada will now be my favorite thing to do in February.
- johndewar

I understand you are American but why would you root against Canada, would you rather have Russia in the final? I don't understand the hate at all, pretty short sighted in my opinion

I just read that Kimmo is skating with Coburn at the morning skate.
While happy the Kimmo is better, I have a horrible feeling about seeing Streit and Grossmann back together getting 2nd pair minutes against a speedy Colorado team.

Barf.

I understand you are American but why would you root against Canada, would you rather have Russia in the final? I don't understand the hate at all, pretty short sighted in my opinion
- Daceroni

I get it.
It's rooting for the underdog syndrome and against the heavy favorite.

Pretty popular way to go actually.

St Louis selected. no surprise there
- nastyflyergirl

I wonder if this further motivates G.
I hope he goes on an epic tear and terrorizes the rest of the league.

I understand you are American but why would you root against Canada, would you rather have Russia in the final? I don't understand the hate at all, pretty short sighted in my opinion
- Daceroni

For the same reason some folks root against the US in the Summer games with basketball. There is an overwhelming arrogance that turns people off.

Throw in that one of my least favorite NHL'ers is the face of Team Canada and they left off my favorite NHL'er and you have the perfect stew for me to enjoy some schadenfreude.

I just read that Kimmo is skating with Coburn at the morning skate.
While happy the Kimmo is better, I have a horrible feeling about seeing Streit and Grossmann back together getting 2nd pair minutes against a speedy Colorado team.

Barf.
- Marc D

I would have been OK with Kimmo sitting out tonight and Saturday, actually, but I don't think Kimmo is wired that way.

Correct. NHL players won be involved in at least the next two Olympics. The only reason they are in Sochi this time, is the NHL doesn't want to risk alienating the Russian hockey influence and agreements with player transfers. Everything is always about the money.....always has been, always will be!
- Hokeeguy9

I wonder... what team USA and Canada will look like in the years to come. I mean there are plenty of decent players playing in other leagues. Its not like USA will be made up of just college players anymore because PROs are still allowed, just NHL is not participating...

St Louis selected. no surprise there
- nastyflyergirl

When they do the WC they should select GM's that arent associated with NHL teams... Keep the bias down so the real best players can make it.

I wonder... what team USA and Canada will look like in the years to come. I mean there are plenty of decent players playing in other leagues. Its not like USA will be made up of just college players anymore because PROs are still allowed, just NHL is not participating...
- youarewrong

Probably a mix of Junior hockey players, college players, and pros playing overseas.

I understand you are American but why would you root against Canada, would you rather have Russia in the final? I don't understand the hate at all, pretty short sighted in my opinion
- Daceroni

Because as an American Hockey Fan there is an air of arrogance when it comes to Canada and Hockey. Its just annoying to hear and deal with. So unless I have players I want to see win gold.. like Richards and Pronger.. then I would root against them just to have some of that arrogance kept in check a bit.

I understand you are American but why would you root against Canada, would you rather have Russia in the final? I don't understand the hate at all, pretty short sighted in my opinion
- Daceroni

I really don't see Russia making the finals as more abhorrent than Canada for a USA fan.

When they do the WC they should select GM's that arent associated with NHL teams... Keep the bias down so the real best players can make it.
- youarewrong

St. Louis is having a better season than Giroux.

I really don't see Russia making the finals as more abhorrent than Canada for a USA fan.
- BulliesPhan87

Exactly. I mean, this isn't 1984 and the Berlin Wall is up still.

Rocky, Rambo, and Billy Joel all were responsible for ending that.

I really don't see Russia making the finals as more abhorrent than Canada for a USA fan.
- BulliesPhan87

After USA I will root for Suomi.

Cannot cheer for Crosby and Kunitz.

St. Louis is having a better season than Giroux.
- KGBflyers10

And they needed a winger.
It makes sense to pick St Louis.

After USA I will root for Suomi.

- Marc D

I don't know what it is about Team Finland, but I do like watching them play internationally.

Probably a mix of Junior hockey players, college players, and pros playing overseas.
- johndewar

Gold medalist Michael Leighton.