Crazy thoughts.

NHL is too watered down in terms of talent to begin with. Trend is heading more and more in that direction with talks of expansion.

A little off topic...

While driving yesterday, I heard the "This is a CBS Sports Minute" on WIP. It was given by John Feinstein and was regarding the NHL's decision not to participate in the Olympics. He said it was about owner's greed. His argument was that you get to see the best players in the world compete on a larger surface fighting for their country. He also added about how it has given us some of the best hockey. He said for a league trying to grow the game it was a mistake. Again, boiling it down to the owners greed.

I tend to disagree. Greed or not, when the owner's (who are the ones paying the players salary) have their players go and play they are taking a big risk of injury. I also feel that you are telling everyone that your league is inferior to a tournament by shutting it down. I was actually glad the NHL did not send their players.

Thoughts????
- hockeylover

I think I'm in the minority on this one, but I dislike the league shutting down for the Olympics and always have disliked it.

It gives short shrift to the fans of individual teams who pay money, through cable access or season tickets, to see these guys. It opens the possibility of player injury that impacts the players' NHL team's chances in the playoffs.

I like a good "best on best" tournament, but not at the expense of the NHL season.

Yes, but he was "done" before that though.
- hockeylover

lol

Would rather go all in for Dahlin than all in on Karlsson.
- hereticpride

Its a young man's game... Cap makes it that way

Crazy thoughts.

NHL is too watered down in terms of talent to begin with. Trend is heading more and more in that direction with talks of expansion.
- flyer_nutter

Hello Seattle!!!! Where I think hockey will flourish, but they should be relocating teams, not creating them. The talent is absolutely watered down and it will get worse before it gets better.

I think I'm in the minority on this one, but I dislike the league shutting down for the Olympics and always have disliked it.

It gives short shrift to the fans of individual teams who pay money, through cable access or season tickets, to see these guys. It opens the possibility of player injury that impacts the players' NHL team's chances in the playoffs.

I like a good "best on best" tournament, but not at the expense of the NHL season.
- johndewar

I agree with owners/fans of the NHL who don't want to see players hurt in an international tournament. I can see the reasoning there.

Someone mentioned it here, but if it takes moving Olympic Hockey to the summer games then so be it. Will never happen, but I'd like to see them try anyway. The NHL "taking their toys and going home" is kind of an easy way out.

One thing I do like about international hockey is the officiating, and the way dangerous/dirty plays are dealt with. NHL could learn something there.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/winter-olympics-2018/2018/02/22/canada-jocelyne-larocque-immediately-yanks-silver-medal-off-her-neck/362132002/
- Pixote Andolini

Most people would view a silver as a big win once you get past the initial sting of losing (much later) but lets be read, for women's hockey its all about the gold. I know its happened once where it wasn't a USA/Canada final but every other olympic and world championships comes down to the two countries. until the other countries catch up to Canada and the US the silver will not be something viewed as a great accomplishment if that makes sense. Just my take

Hello Seattle!!!! Where I think hockey will flourish, but they should be relocating teams, not creating them. The talent is absolutely watered down and it will get worse before it gets better.
- nonpoint22

Who doesn't want to watch fourth lines go head to head. North/south, chip and chase.

Will say though, Vegas has been a very nice surprise. Exciting hockey.

Hello Seattle!!!! Where I think hockey will flourish, but they should be relocating teams, not creating them. The talent is absolutely watered down and it will get worse before it gets better.
- nonpoint22

They absolutely need to get to an even number of teams, evenly split east/west. Expansion or contraction, I don't care, but it needs to be done.

Its a young man's game... Cap makes it that way
- nonpoint22

Exactly. I can't imagine adding a 10mil cap hit to this team this off-season

They absolutely need to get to an even number of teams, evenly split east/west. Expansion or contraction, I don't care, but it needs to be done.
- Scoob

I think Seattle will be the 32nd team IMHO though. With that said, I also feel that Quebec needs a team, if only to bring back those Nords jersey's which I loved. So perhaps that could happen through relocation. Who would be a team relocated though? Florida, Arizona?

Most people would view a silver as a big win once you get past the initial sting of losing (much later) but lets be read, for women's hockey its all about the gold. I know its happened once where it wasn't a USA/Canada final but every other olympic and world championships comes down to the two countries. until the other countries catch up to Canada and the US the silver will not be something viewed as a great accomplishment if that makes sense. Just my take
- nastyflyergirl

I love Olympic hockey, as I do the yearly World Champioships. As a young kid in Slovakia I remember that being basically my only TV exposure to the sport. There is no doubt that in Canada and the USA, the NHL reigns - and rightfully so.

In a lot of other countries however, these international tournaments have meaning - and are really appreciated by the fans. Its a shame the NHL could not work something out, and basically gave a big F U to fans of the game outside of NA.

I am a fan of hockey before a fan of the NHL. Olympic hockey, with the best of the best going against each other... I love that poop.

Rumor is Hextall is going to address the media regarding TK’s injury only after being given the proper authorization codes by each member of the media, after which they will be forced to sign gag orders punishable by the seizure of all offending party’s property and ritual sacrifice of their first born.

It was absolutely about greed (well, greed and power over the PA).

The NHL wanted the IIHF to cover all expenses for the players (travel, meals, accomodations, etc.), knowing full well that the IIHF would never agree. Their real goal was to show the PA that they could deny them the privilege to play in the Olympics if they chose.
- jmatchett383

Absolutely. Bettman is hot to tap into China so you sure as hell know he wouldn't pull that at the next olympics

I think Giroux got a little banged up in the WCoH, too.
- Scoob

I dont think he should have even been there.

Most people would view a silver as a big win once you get past the initial sting of losing (much later) but lets be read, for women's hockey its all about the gold. I know its happened once where it wasn't a USA/Canada final but every other olympic and world championships comes down to the two countries. until the other countries catch up to Canada and the US the silver will not be something viewed as a great accomplishment if that makes sense. Just my take
- nastyflyergirl

It's always about the gold/first/winner. Silver/second is just first loser. Nobody remembers the loser. That's how sports is. However, loser should behave with class, dignity, and sportsmanship. As should the winner, btw.

I dont think he should have even been there.
- MBFlyerfan

He should've been on the wing and then it never would've happened ;-)

Who doesn't want to watch fourth lines go head to head. North/south, chip and chase.

Will say though, Vegas has been a very nice surprise. Exciting hockey.
- flyer_nutter

Look, I don't want to take away from the story that is Vegas. They're an exciting team and they put together a great tandem with Mcphee/Gallant, but they got the benefit of much different expansion rules that put the gun to many GMs head. To get players like Fleury and Neal in expansion draft is crazy to me, but still good for them Im glad there not gonna be a sideshow for a decade before being relevant

I love Olympic hockey, as I do the yearly World Champioships. As a young kid in Slovakia I remember that being basically my only TV exposure to the sport. There is no doubt that in Canada and the USA, the NHL reigns - and rightfully so.

In a lot of other countries however, these international tournaments have meaning - and are really appreciated by the fans. Its a shame the NHL could not work something out, and basically gave a big F U to fans of the game outside of NA.

I am a fan of hockey before a fan of the NHL. Olympic hockey, with the best of the best going against each other... I love that poop.
- flyer_nutter

I just don't understand why the olympics for hockey can't do what soccer did. Make it U21 and allow each country one "veteran." I think that is the only way to save the hockey olympics. These old random team they put together this year was horrible. And I look at the world juniors as one the most exciting events each year. NHL would than let the teams decide if their players can go who fit the criteria. It would keep most our stars in the NHL but would give budding superstars like the dahlin's of the world a chance to show off their abilities.

I think Seattle will be the 32nd team IMHO though. With that said, I also feel that Quebec needs a team, if only to bring back those Nords jersey's which I loved. So perhaps that could happen through relocation. Who would be a team relocated though? Florida, Arizona?
- hockeylover

Well, since their season ticket drive starts soon I think that's a pretty safe bet. lol

Then, yes, some teams need to be moved. Start with Arizona for sure.

Rumor is Hextall is going to address the media regarding TK’s injury only after being given the proper authorization codes by each member of the media, after which they will be forced to sign gag orders punishable by the seizure of all offending party’s property and ritual sacrifice of their first born.
- StepfordSam

seems pretty reasonable to me

I dont think he should have even been there.
- MBFlyerfan

That tournament in my eyes is a joke.

The league is worried about losing players due to injury/exhaustion - whatever. Then they go and create that.

Money pure and simple.

Rumor is Hextall is going to address the media regarding TK’s injury only after being given the proper authorization codes by each member of the media, after which they will be forced to sign gag orders punishable by the seizure of all offending party’s property and ritual sacrifice of their first born.
- StepfordSam

I'm going with LBI, day-to-day, maybe a week.

Look, I don't want to take away from the story that is Vegas. They're an exciting team and they put together a great tandem with Mcphee/Gallant, but they got the benefit of much different expansion rules that put the gun to many GMs head. To get players like Fleury and Neal in expansion draft is crazy to me, but still good for them Im glad there not gonna be a sideshow for a decade before being relevant
- nonpoint22

Ohh dont get me wrong. If its me I would can a few teams before expanding.

It's always about the gold/first/winner. Silver/second is just first loser. Nobody remembers the loser. That's how sports is. However, loser should behave with class, dignity, and sportsmanship. As should the winner, btw.
- Scoob

I get that but I also get her emotions. Like I said if women's hockey was like the men's in the sense that so many different countries can win I think when all is said and done you are still very proud of that silver. 2nd out of 8 countries is still a great accomplishment. But its always a foregone conclusion its going to be USA/Canada so i do believe that makes the silver just seem hollow.