Paul Stewart: 2018 Olympic Hockey Players Deserve More Respect... from Every Corner

No, they do not

It's a collection of Hazbeens and Never was

Call it like it is

Should have started making deals with the Underage leagues as soon as the NHL was getting wishy washing over participating and now here they are with their pants down with a product that is less than the Spengler Cup

Olympics.... "The very best, in the world (that we could find)

No, they do not

It's a collection of Hazbeens and Never was

Call it like it is

Should have started making deals with the Underage leagues as soon as the NHL was getting wishy washing over participating and now here they are with their pants down with a product that is less than the Spengler Cup

Olympics.... "The very best, in the world (that we could find)
- TheGame316

I can virtually guarantee those "has-beens" and "never was" guys, all of whom make a professional living playing hockey, have done way, way more than the likes of those who sit back and scoff. Most especially when they do it safely hiding behind the anonymity of a message board handle.

I can virtually guarantee those "has-beens" and "never was" guys, all of whom make a professional living playing hockey, have done way, way more than the likes of those who sit back and scoff. Most especially when they do it safely hiding behind the anonymity of a message board handle.
- Paul Stewart

This is the Olympics, not an alumni game in a small town in the middle of winter

It's like getting guys from the local pool to go and do the swimming events because you never took the time to figure out who the best swimmers were

The NHL wasn't going, that was clear for a long time

But THIS is NOT the next best option, not even close

This is the Olympics, not an alumni game in a small town in the middle of winter

It's like getting guys from the local pool to go and do the swimming events because you never took the time to figure out who the best swimmers were

The NHL wasn't going, that was clear for a long time

But THIS is NOT the next best option, not even close
- TheGame316

I don't think he is even saying this is the next best option. He's saying that the guys who are going are not plugs and deserve our respect. I will be cheering them on just as hard as I would if the nhl was involved.

*agrees*

I can virtually guarantee those "has-beens" and "never was" guys, all of whom make a professional living playing hockey, have done way, way more than the likes of those who sit back and scoff. Most especially when they do it safely hiding behind the anonymity of a message board handle.
- Paul Stewart

Paul what is the best way to bring up opinions here on HB that run counter to yours? i mean this is a message board. Thanks!

I don't think he is even saying this is the next best option. He's saying that the guys who are going are not plugs and deserve our respect. I will be cheering them on just as hard as I would if the nhl was involved.
- forbetterorWORSE

it'll still be a good tournament. just the live broadcast times are what stink for me.

Paul what is the best way to bring up opinions here on HB that run counter to yours? i mean this is a message board. Thanks!
- Fountain-San

Have no problem whatsoever with differences of opinion. Only ask that they be presented with the same level of respect -- not simply for myself but also for those in the game -- that one would expect in return. No more and no less.

This is the Olympics, not an alumni game in a small town in the middle of winter

It's like getting guys from the local pool to go and do the swimming events because you never took the time to figure out who the best swimmers were

The NHL wasn't going, that was clear for a long time

But THIS is NOT the next best option, not even close
- TheGame316

What is the best roster that you would pick, considering nhl players are not allowed to participate? I am interested to see your roster since you said the one chosen isn't even close to the best that they could have chosen.

What is the best roster that you would pick, considering nhl players are not allowed to participate? I am interested to see your roster since you said the one chosen isn't even close to the best that they could have chosen.
- lemieux_66

If I was the IOC I would have given up on the NHL much sooner and negotiated heavily with the CHL and NCAA and Euro JR leagues (like it used to be pre NHLers) and had the best U19 non professional players in the world playing in it

I would not settle for guys who aren't good enough for the NHL, or in the KHL or even AHL

This is the equivalent of using replacement players during a strike

Ummmm.... Most of the guys competing ARE actively in the KHL or AHL. sooooo....

it'll still be a good tournament. just the live broadcast times are what stink for me.
- Fountain-San

Agreed.

Ummmm.... Most of the guys competing ARE actively in the KHL or AHL. sooooo....
- cranktheradio

Missed a word in there

KHL is Bush League. It's where guys go who are too washed up for the NHL and the AHL is pretty much the same thing assuming it's not a guy down there who's "Developing"

This isn't the Worlds BEST players (NHL)

It's not the Worlds 2nd BEST players (CHL/NCAA/Euro Jr)

It's some sudo hybrid, Replacement level players or a Spengler Cup roster

Do people get excited about the Spengler Cup?

THAT is your NEW Olympics

Missed a word in there

KHL is Bush League. It's where guys go who are too washed up for the NHL and the AHL is pretty much the same thing assuming it's not a guy down there who's "Developing"

This isn't the Worlds BEST players (NHL)

It's not the Worlds 2nd BEST players (CHL/NCAA/Euro Jr)

It's some sudo hybrid, Replacement level players or a Spengler Cup roster

Do people get excited about the Spengler Cup?

THAT is your NEW Olympics
- TheGame316

I don't think you realize how talented guys in the KHL, AHL, and euro leagues are. Obviously there's no way to know, but who's to say the world junior team would be any better than this team. Sure, it's be exciting to watch some young guns but these players that were selected have been playing hockey for a lot longer and have way more experience than CHL players.

I don't think you realize how talented guys in the KHL, AHL, and euro leagues are. Obviously there's no way to know, but who's to say the world junior team would be any better than this team. Sure, it's be exciting to watch some young guns but these players that were selected have been playing hockey for a lot longer and have way more experience than CHL players.
- lemieux_66

Completely agree. If you've ever played the game you realise that these guys are still elite athletes that are some of the best in the world. The difference between the skill level of an NHL all star team and these players is fairly miniscule in the larger picture.

Completely agree. If you've ever played the game you realise that these guys are still elite athletes that are some of the best in the world. The difference between the skill level of an NHL all star team and these players is fairly miniscule in the larger picture.
- cranktheradio

Ya

AHL =/= NHL

KHL =/= NHL

ECHL =/= NHL

Why we paying so much to watch the NHL?.... All the players are pretty much the same

Ya

AHL =/= NHL

KHL =/= NHL

ECHL =/= NHL

Why we paying so much to watch the NHL?.... All the players are pretty much the same
- TheGame316

What is your point exactly?

I asked what the roster you would select is and you didn't post anything. CHL =/= NHL, NCAA =/= NHL, MLB =/= NHL, NBA =/= NHL ..thats all besides the point. They aren't sending NHL players and you said the team selected isn't even close to the next best option. So who is the next best option?

What is your point exactly?

I asked what the roster you would select is and you didn't post anything. CHL =/= NHL, NCAA =/= NHL, MLB =/= NHL, NBA =/= NHL ..thats all besides the point. They aren't sending NHL players and you said the team selected isn't even close to the next best option. So who is the next best option?
- lemieux_66

Next best option is the players in the CHL/NCAA/Euro JR. It is the fault of the IOC for not getting on it sooner when they realized the NHL wasn't coming

These are the future star players that will fill NHL Rosters, which are the best players in the world

The rosters in the KHL/AHL/ECHL are the castoffs that have proven they are not good enough for the NHL

There's nothing that can be done about it now. This is the best option that is left. Just don't sell it as rain when it's really piss on our heads

Next best option is the players in the CHL/NCAA/Euro JR. It is the fault of the IOC for not getting on it sooner when they realized the NHL wasn't coming

These are the future star players that will fill NHL Rosters, which are the best players in the world

The rosters in the KHL/AHL/ECHL are the castoffs that have proven they are not good enough for the NHL

There's nothing that can be done about it now. This is the best option that is left. Just don't sell it as rain when it's really piss on our heads
- TheGame316

Like I said before, there's no way to compare but in my opinion, a best of the CHL/NCAA (or any other junior league) team would lose to a best of the AHL/KHL/Euro league team. Sure, many NHL players come from the CHL eventually, but the best players from these other pro leagues were typically stars in the CHL or other junior leagues at one point too and have only gotten better since then with the experience from playing pro.

Like I said before, there's no way to compare but in my opinion, a best of the CHL/NCAA (or any other junior league) team would lose to a best of the AHL/KHL/Euro league team. Sure, many NHL players come from the CHL eventually, but the best players from these other pro leagues were typically stars in the CHL or other junior leagues at one point too and have only gotten better since then with the experience from playing pro.
- lemieux_66

Game, set, and match.
Good win. Valid points.