The Olympics are great for the NHL. It grabs the casual fan's attention. Think half of America knew who TJ oshie was? Or who Jonathan Quick or Phil Kessel were prior to the games? Doubtful.

It's a huge marketing piece for the league and show cases the best players and opens doors for guys who are in less popular markets.

When Handzus went down vs the USA, I chuckled....sadly, he got back up.....
- SteveRain

I think the NHL could take advantage of not being in the olympics as well though, these stadium series games could have been highlights of the weeks during the olympics or they could have done some nationally televised stuff.

I was in the navy and the saying was "deep six it".
- Captain33Graham

Must be a target saying...

Only two type of ships, submarines and targets.

Come on.....they aren't a push over. At least respect them and keep an eye on them.....They have had the Hawks number all year long, and David Backes will run a train on Keith and Leddy come playoff time.

The arrogance of how great the Hawks are is getting VERY OLD on here. Are they good? Of course....Are they head and shoulders above the rest of the western conference? Not a chance in hell.....
- SteveRain

Wake me when the Blues do something in the post season, until then they ain't poop.

Their 3-0 record against us this year is a bit deceiving. A last second gift goal, and two gimmick wins are not exactly indicative of one team dominating another. Puck luck as much as anything. St. Louis is good, but if the Hawks are healthy, they don't worry me.

well, then you should pulling for a major injury to a star so that the NHLPA can't play the "nobody gets hurt" argument when they negotiate with the NHL.
- SteveRain

I don't need to root for an injury, just for common sense to prevail. I don't care how good the hockey might be, interrupting an NHL season 2/3 of the way through for a 3 week Olympic break is just asinine. Send the kids.

Wake me when the Blues do something in the post season, until then they ain't poop.

Their 3-0 record against us this year is a bit deceiving. A last second gift goal, and two gimmick wins are not exactly indicative of one team dominating another. Puck luck as much as anything. St. Louis is good, but if the Hawks are healthy, they don't worry me.
- Ogilthorpe2

I think the 2010 cup year when the Hawks did very well against the Sharks in the regular season is a better indication of one team having another teams number then proving it in the playoffs. The Blues this year dont seem to be that way, like Ogi said, puck luck has more to do with it. They're just another team with some big bodies.

How in the world is Slovakia and Handzuis losing? Don;t they know he won a cup last year? This is perplexing. He is probably about to hit his switch anytime now. That will put them over the top....

How in the world is Slovakia and Handzuis losing? Don;t they know he won a cup last year? This is perplexing. He is probably about to hit his switch anytime now. That will put them over the top....
- TrueGrit

I won't be upset with Slovakia losing. I have nothing against their country but Handzus and Hossa were the guys I was worried about most during these Ogi games.

I won't be upset with Slovakia losing. I have nothing against their country but Handzus and Hossa were the guys I was worried about most during these Ogi games.
- DarthKane

Rozival is on the Czech team right? Or is he also on Slovakia?

If my math is right we have just over 113 hours until the gold medal game, and then we can finally put this nonsense behind us, hopefully never to be spoken of ever again.

Sounds like we'll know sooner, rather than later (within the next 6 months) if the NHL plans to go to Korea or not. Hopefully they do the right thing, and just say no.

Rozival is on the Czech team right? Or is he also on Slovakia?
- BlazinMike

He's Czech.

Must be a target saying...

Only two type of ships, submarines and targets.
- Beaver-Warrior

I don't need to root for an injury, just for common sense to prevail. I don't care how good the hockey might be, interrupting an NHL season 2/3 of the way through for a 3 week Olympic break is just asinine. Send the kids.
- Ogilthorpe2

The next games - in South Korea - will not have any kind of internal pressure for the NHL to be there: no Korean players in the league looking to play in their homeland, terrible TV hours, etc. Don't know who's after Korea in 2022.

BTW, apparently the next two US games will be televised at about 11 AM in Chicago - that would include the possible US-Canada game. Seems like NBC would pressure whoever is in charge to have those at a better watching time, like 6K:30 AM.

Also, the women's final against Canada is at !2 NOON, I think - same comment.

Rozival is on the Czech team right? Or is he also on Slovakia?
- BlazinMike

He can't be on both.

He can't be on both.
- StLBravesFan

Not anymore

He can't be on both.
- StLBravesFan

Technically they used to be the same thing haha

Technically they used to be the same thing haha
- BlazinMike

Didn't think about that....

I won't be upset with Slovakia losing. I have nothing against their country but Handzus and Hossa were the guys I was worried about most during these Ogi games.
- DarthKane

Haven't seen a final, but the Czechs were up 5-3 on an empty net goal: presumably they won.

That means Hossa and Handzus will have 9 days rest before their next game.

That's enough.

Still 8 Hawks in the tournament.

Hands is will now have nine days to rest. Hopefully the rest will help him improve his speed from block of wood slow to geriatric in a Rascal slow

If my math is right we have just over 113 hours until the gold medal game, and then we can finally put this nonsense behind us, hopefully never to be spoken of ever again.

Sounds like we'll know sooner, rather than later (within the next 6 months) if the NHL plans to go to Korea or not. Hopefully they do the right thing, and just say no.
- Ogilthorpe2

So you aren't pumped for the Slovenia v Sweden and Latvia v Canada games?

The only way Bettman goes to Korea is if the IOC cuts him a monstrous cheque to split up among his greedy owner brothers.

How in the world is Slovakia and Handzuis losing? Don;t they know he won a cup last year? This is perplexing. He is probably about to hit his switch anytime now. That will put them over the top....
- TrueGrit

No kidding.....but hey, he won some faceoffs so that warrants his #2 center spot.

Haven't seen a final, but the Czechs were up 5-3 on an empty net goal: presumably they won.

That means Hossa and Handzus will have 9 days rest before their next game.

That's enough.

Still too many Hawks in the tournament.
- StLBravesFan

Fixed.

Wake me when the Blues do something in the post season, until then they ain't poop.

Their 3-0 record against us this year is a bit deceiving. A last second gift goal, and two gimmick wins are not exactly indicative of one team dominating another. Puck luck as much as anything. St. Louis is good, but if the Hawks are healthy, they don't worry me.
- Ogilthorpe2

THIS

I don't give a flying (frank) about attracting casual fans....not at the expense of the season currently in progress. The 3 week break is inexcusable.
- Ogilthorpe2

I tend to agree. Casual fans usually end up going back to being fans of other sports. Not to mention the possiblity of injury. I'd like to see the Hawks' fans' arguments in favor of the NHL participating in the Olympics if one or more of the Hawks' contingent ends up knocked out for the rest of the season. Actually, I WOULD NOT like to see that...

I tend to agree. Casual fans usually end up going back to being fans of other sports. Not to mention the possiblity of injury. I'd like to see the Hawks' fans' arguments in favor of the NHL participating in the Olympics if one or more of the Hawks' contingent ends up knocked out for the rest of the season. Actually, I WOULD NOT like to see that...
- Baaaaaaannerman!

I dont think there are any

I tend to agree. Casual fans usually end up going back to being fans of other sports. Not to mention the possiblity of injury. I'd like to see the Hawks' fans' arguments in favor of the NHL participating in the Olympics if one or more of the Hawks' contingent ends up knocked out for the rest of the season. Actually, I WOULD NOT like to see that...
- Baaaaaaannerman!

If the Hawks lost Handzus I would have cared less. There's your 1 guy.

I understand the injury argument but until it actually happens....it doesn't hold water. Throw in the record ratings NBCSN is getting, and.....