Ryan Wilson: Evgeni Malkin on the Olympics and Alexander Ovechkin + Day with the Cup Evgeni Malkin on the Olympics and Alexander Ovechkin + Day with the Cup

Oh fist!

I'd forgive Geno if he took off for a couple of weeks. No Geno, no 3 cups. He has served the Penguins through and through.

If NHL players are not allowed to go, how about AHL players? Can they go to the olympics?

Mario prob won't say no but you can bet your butt the NHL will come up with some kind of punishment

Could someone please explain to me what reason there would be a lockout? Aren't both the owners(not all but most) and players doing just fine?

Could someone please explain to me what reason there would be a lockout? Aren't both the owners(not all but most) and players doing just fine?
- stevens87

I'm sure many of the players don't like many things like the salary cap, the free agency rules, not being able to play in the Olympics, having limitted contracts (number of years & saalry cap), ect...
The owners just don't want to pay as much as they have to. They want to keep costs (players salaries) down. I'm sure there will be more money coming in from streaming rights and/or new TV comtracts by 2020, so the players will want to try to get some of that money from the owners.
JMO

Off topic a bit and back on the 3C search, I know GMJR has stated that he wants some players with more of an edge, but who can also have some skill.

Here is a Calgary link to their top hits from last year. Check out #5 and #2, Sam Bennett can hit! I'm actually surprised at Ferland as well, he seems to be even more of a power forward. I wouldn't mind having either one on the Pens.

https://twitter.com/nhlfl...status/890610240617459712

If Malkin wants to go (or anyone else), the team could suspend them, just like a team can suspend a player for any number of infractions (showing up late, not wearing proper attire, etc). After he doesn't show up to the first game/practice when he leaves for the Olympics, suspend him indefinitely. After his games are over, lift the suspension.

Easy.

Off topic a bit and back on the 3C search, I know GMJR has stated that he wants some players with more of an edge, but who can also have some skill.

Here is a Calgary link to their top hits from last year. Check out #5 and #2, Sam Bennett can hit! I'm actually surprised at Ferland as well, he seems to be even more of a power forward. I wouldn't mind having either one on the Pens.

https://twitter.com/nhlfl...status/890610240617459712
- so_buzz11

I'm not so high on Sam Bennett. His pedigree is going to cost a lot anyways

I want to see Crosby, Letang, Hörnqvist, Hagelin, Määttä and Malkin representing their countries. Call up the AHL guys for a couple weeks.

I am against NHL players in the olyimpics but if they want to go, any NHL player that gets hurt needs to repay the team double his salary lost for that time. Lets see how many choose to go.

They signed a contract with an NHL team, not their country. Go ahead and upset McDavid, you think he'll bolt to KHL? No way in hell. His 12mil will get him over these tough times.

What gonna happen when 97 gets hurt playing Sweden, oops there goes the Oilers playoffs hopes, again. Well at least 97 got to play for Team Canada right? The Olympics will always be entertaining and perhaps more so without an NHL presence.

I am against NHL players in the olyimpics but if they want to go, any NHL player that gets hurt needs to repay the team double his salary lost for that time. Lets see how many choose to go.

They signed a contract with an NHL team, not their country. Go ahead and upset McDavid, you think he'll bolt to KHL? No way in hell. His 12mil will get him over these tough times.

What gonna happen when 97 gets hurt playing Sweden, oops there goes the Oilers playoffs hopes, again. Well at least 97 got to play for Team Canada right? The Olympics will always be entertaining and perhaps more so without an NHL presence.
- Leniwm1

I must have missed that clause from the last CBA. I didn't think the PA would agree to such a horrible suggestion.

How far would this clause extend to? Off-season non-team-sanctioned workouts? Playing ball hockey with your kid(s)? Running neighborhood hockey clinics? Playing in the World Championships?

I must have missed that clause from the last CBA. I didn't think the PA would agree to such a horrible suggestion.

How far would this clause extend to? Off-season non-team-sanctioned workouts? Playing ball hockey with your kid(s)? Running neighborhood hockey clinics? Playing in the World Championships?
- jmatchett383

I don't know any specifics but I think Football has some clause about getting hurt not playing for your team or something. I doubt the NHL has anything like that.

I don't know any specifics but I think Football has some clause about getting hurt not playing for your team or something. I doubt the NHL has anything like that.
- Leniwm1

So if a player is running a youth clinic, trips and falls and is out for 6 months, he should have to pay his team for being injured? After all, it was him on the ice in hockey equipment with other people, right? That doesn't seem right to me.

What about the All Star game? World Championships? Pick-up street games with neighborhood kids?

So if a player is running a youth clinic, trips and falls and is out for 6 months, he should have to pay his team for being injured? After all, it was him on the ice in hockey equipment with other people, right? That doesn't seem right to me.
- jmatchett383

its not a rule. Its a suggestion for players wanting to go to Olympics not walking down the street and tripping. Don't over think it. Would you rather have your fav team win a Cup instead of your player being on a team for some other country and risk getting injured? NHL is a bigger biz then we will ever know - not just entertainment for us common folk.

its not a rule. Its a suggestion for players wanting to go to Olympics not walking down the street and tripping. Don't over think it. Would you rather have your fav team win a Cup instead of your player being on a team for some other country and risk getting injured? NHL is a bigger biz then we will ever know - not just entertainment for us common folk.
- Leniwm1

I'm with you on rather having the players only playing competitive hockey for the team paying the more money than 99% of Americans/Canadians make per year.

But to have them pay double, not to mention the money they'd have to forfeit anyway for games lost for the tourney, seems a bit over-the-top.

Also, if the player was going to have to pay their team, as opposed to the NHL, it would have to be a team rule not an NHL rule. But I don't think that the CBA allows for playing having to give back money the way it's written: the HRR is very specific.

Again, I ask what about the All-Star Game, World Championships, WCOH, WJC (for younger players), AHL for waived players, etc. The Olympics, which come once every four years, are not the only non-NHL-team hockey game available to players.

I'm with you on rather having the players only playing competitive hockey for the team paying the more money than 99% of Americans/Canadians make per year.

But to have them pay double, not to mention the money they'd have to forfeit anyway for games lost for the tourney, seems a bit over-the-top.

Also, if the player was going to have to pay their team, as opposed to the NHL, it would have to be a team rule not an NHL rule. But I don't think that the CBA allows for playing having to give back money the way it's written: the HRR is very specific.

Again, I ask what about the All-Star Game, World Championships, WCOH, WJC (for younger players), AHL for waived players, etc. The Olympics, which come once every four years, are not the only non-NHL-team hockey game available to players.
- jmatchett383

If the player is under NHL contract and plays under his contracts' rules. So AHL players are covered, the sham of an Allstar game is covered. World Juniors is another tough one because its not your contracted team. I'd rather see highschool, college kids, random people try out for your country instead of "name" all stars. Why should millionaires be on the only ones to represent their country?

The harshness is only a deterrent. Im a firm believer that slap on the wrists don't ever fix anything, go for the jugular and all is well. =) Keep in mind, I usually sided with the owners in every lockout.

If the player is under NHL contract and plays under his contracts' rules. So AHL players are covered, the sham of an Allstar game is covered. World Juniors is another tough one because its not your contracted team. I'd rather see highschool, college kids, random people try out for your country instead of "name" all stars. Why should millionaires be on the only ones to represent their country?

The harshness is only a deterrent. Im a firm believer that slap on the wrists don't ever fix anything, go for the jugular and all is well. =) Keep in mind, I usually sided with the owners in every lockout.
- Leniwm1

Again, I totally get it, and I agree to an extent. And I completely understand why the NHL doesn't want its bets players going to play in a non-NHL-sanctioned tournament in the middle of the season.

On the other hand, my old mechanic, who is at best a very fairweather hockey fan, started watching again after the TJ Oshie shootout spectacle against Russia. So yes, having NHL stars in the Olympics can help grow the game, which benefits the NHL.

Honestly, the NHL team has the right to suspend you and/or file for contract termination by violating team and league rules (see Slava Voynov and Mike Richards), which is a fairly big gamble to take.

Again, I totally get it, and I agree to an extent. And I completely understand why the NHL doesn't want its bets players going to play in a non-NHL-sanctioned tournament in the middle of the season.

On the other hand, my old mechanic, who is at best a very fairweather hockey fan, started watching again after the TJ Oshie shootout spectacle against Russia. So yes, having NHL stars in the Olympics can help grow the game, which benefits the NHL.

Honestly, the NHL team has the right to suspend you and/or file for contract termination by violating team and league rules (see Slava Voynov and Mike Richards), which is a fairly big gamble to take.
- jmatchett383

We are on the same page, but you think Leonis gonna suspend Ovi? These players who think they are above the rule and can do what they want will get away with it. Thats primarily my issue, I'm a jealous f**k.

Also the reason why your buddy loved the TJ thing because it was TJ and only TJ doing the shoutouts. No reason why NHL can't bring that common sense logic instead of wasting time watch a 3rd pair dman try to score.

The NHL should maintain their position of not allowing players to go to the olympics. At the end of the day, the olympics is just another "league". If I were the NHL, I wouldnt lend all my talent to another league just because they asked. Olympic commitee gets all the benefit and NHL gets all the risk.

I think the NHL should run their own tournament where every player can play for their country at the same time as the olympics. That way they control the process and benefit from the exposure and the proceeds.

We are on the same page, but you think Leonis gonna suspend Ovi? These players who think they are above the rule and can do what they want will get away with it. Thats primarily my issue, I'm a jealous f**k.

Also the reason why your buddy loved the TJ thing because it was TJ and only TJ doing the shoutouts. No reason why NHL can't bring that common sense logic instead of wasting time watch a 3rd pair dman try to score.
- Leniwm1

I'm just using the shootout as an example. Non-NHL fans watch the Olympics. Having th ebest players in the world available to a wide audience cannot be bad for the game.

Do I think he'd suspend him? No. But if he wants to REALLY hurt him fincnically for doing the unthinkable and supporting his country in an international competition on the world's biggest stage once every 4 years for 2 weeks, then terminating his contract certainly would be a deterrent.

The NHL should maintain their position of not allowing players to go to the olympics. At the end of the day, the olympics is just another "league". If I were the NHL, I wouldnt lend all my talent to another league just because they asked. Olympic commitee gets all the benefit and NHL gets all the risk.

I think the NHL should run their own tournament where every player can play for their country at the same time as the olympics. That way they control the process and benefit from the exposure and the proceeds.
- Holy_Makinaw99

They did have their own tournament, it's called the World Cup of Hockey. And no one but NHL fans watched it because no one understood what was going on. You do it at the same time as the Winter Olympics and you'll get even less viewers.

The NHL is a business. The best interest of the business is to get more consumers. Showcasing your company's best products is the best way to grow a consumer base.

I don't give a (frank) if they play or not, and I can understand the issue of a key player getting injured. But I also don't think a player taking 2 1/2 weeks off to play on the world's biggest sports show once every 4 years to support his country is a huge issue.

They did have their own tournament, it's called the World Cup of Hockey. And no one but NHL fans watched it because no one understood what was going on. You do it at the same time as the Winter Olympics and you'll get even less viewers.

The NHL is a business. The best interest of the business is to get more consumers. Showcasing your company's best products is the best way to grow a consumer base.

I don't give a (frank) if they play or not, and I can understand the issue of a key player getting injured. But I also don't think a player taking 2 1/2 weeks off to play on the world's biggest sports show once every 4 years to support his country is a huge issue.
- jmatchett383

The NHL is the worlds premier hockey league. They draft, develop, and play the best players in the world. I dont think they should have to give up all their top talent to another league "just so players can play for their countries". The olympics just shows up once every 4 years and collects all the gate proceeds and television revenue with players that they borrow for free.

2-3 weeks to play in the olympics is not a lot of time, but im guessing the NHL as a whole losses $100M easy during that period. I agree that the World Cup of hockey is poorly run. Im saying do something on the same scale of the Olympics and make it awesome, and perhaps only do it when the Olympics is on, rather than every year.

The NHL is the worlds premier hockey league. They draft, develop, and play the best players in the world. I dont think they should have to give up all their top talent to another league "just so players can play for their countries". The olympics just shows up once every 4 years and collects all the gate proceeds and television revenue with players that they borrow for free.

2-3 weeks to play in the olympics is not a lot of time, but im guessing the NHL as a whole losses $100M easy during that period. I agree that the World Cup of hockey is poorly run. Im saying do something on the same scale of the Olympics and make it awesome, and perhaps only do it when the Olympics is on, rather than every year.
- Holy_Makinaw99

I don't know why you keep trying to say it's a league. It's a tournament, just like the WJC, the World Championships, the Ivan Hlinka, etc. There is no draft, there is no salary structure, you cannot trade, not to mention the fact that it encompasses hundreds of differing sports if you combine the Summer and Winter Ones. It's as much a league as a neighborhood street hockey pick-up game is.

The NHL probably loses $0 cumulatively because they still have 82 games of variable and fixed costs. The gate doesn't change. The TV contract doesn't change. Merchandise sales probably increase, if anything. Things like parking and concessions don't change. The NHL used the Olympics as a bargaining chip, plain and simple. They knew players wanted to play and, since the next CBA will probably concede some thing to the PA, the NHL said that the players had to extend the current CBA by 2 years if they wanted the Olympics. The NHL doesn't really care, they simply stuck it to the PA and gave it a very half-hearted attempt to overturn it to make it look like they cared.

Again, I'm usually with the owners on most things, and I couldn't care less if the players play in the Olympics or not. But letting them play in a tournament (it's not a league, as you keep trying to say) for 2 1/2 weeks over a 4-year period is just beyond insignificant. I say the players like Crosby, Malkin, AO, McDavid, etc. just go and see what the NHL does about it. You think the NHL would punish its marquee players long-term? Or would they want them back on the ice ASAP?