Here is a crazy one, but multiple sources today and last evening have informed me that the IIHF may consider an Alumni Olympic Games if the NHL were to choose to not send the current stars...
"Imagine Mike Eruzione, Pavel Bure, Pat Lafontaine, Slava Fetisov, Peter Forsberg, Jim Craig, Igor Larionov and the like suiting up one more time for their country," one source said enthusiastically..."The ratings would be through the roof."
It sounds crazy, right?
But another source noted, "NBC is all-in on the idea. If given the choice of u20 players or "Miracle on Ice: The Rematch" there is no question which would draw more households....a no-brainer." North of the border none of the networks would comment..
I tried to dig deeper for more info, but the idea is still very much in the "embryonic state."
One Flyers source said the recent success of the Flyers/Penguins Alumni clashes are where the idea started....He said Lindros and LeClair would love a CANADA vs. USA grudge match, but I would think there would have to be some ground rules..
Perhaps an over 45 rule would be a good idea...anyone who has witnessed alumni games can clearly see how recently retired players dominate the games...maybe a rule that a player needs to be a decade removed from pro...
"The other cool thing is the olympics are supposed to be about amateurs and these players no longer get paid to play. The interest would be unreal. The KLM line, Sittler, Mario and Wayne!"
Will update if anything else comes of this. I will say an IIHF official thought the probability of pulling this off was still, "Low until many more logistics can be looked at in depth."
NEW PROJECTED STANDINGS: