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In my opinion it loses a tremendous amount of entertainment value overall but I can understand why they are pulling out. 2014 may be a historical last year with NHL players being involved, enjoy it while it's here because who knows when it might happen again.

Meanwhile Mantha has a 2 goal 3 assist game to up his total to 47 goals and 50 assists

I feel the need to again clarify that I am an honorary Swede when it comes to Olympic men's hockey. For all else? U-S-A! U-S-A!

S-W-E-D-E-N!!!

http://beta.thescore.com/nhl/news/427461 Not really that surprising. When do Olympic clauses start getting introduced ?

I would rather have Alfredsson for 1 year at 5 mil than pay Vanek anywhere close to 9 mil per for any length of time, yes. That is a ridiculous overpayment. Vanek is a good scorer, but not that good.

Of course not, they only won gold in 2010.

2018 Olympics: Gold: Russia (capt. Kovalchuck) Silver: USA (capt. Chelios) Bronze: Sweden (capt. Samuelsson) Seriously, if the NHL pulls out and other leagues (SEL, KHL, etc.) still play, we can pretty much kiss good-bye the hope of ever winning a medal for the US or Canada again. I think the Russians will dominate. I doubt that the big names making big money and/or the franchise players will purposely take on contracts that will leave them free agents in Olympic years, but some guys who are borderline players who happen to be free agents might consider playing abroad so that they'd be free to get the chance to play in the Olympics. If we're watering down the pool, guys like Hudler, who will be 34 in 2018, might leave the NHL early for the chance to play if they've never been chosen before. I know it will kill my interest in Olympic hockey if I don't know any of the names.

amidst the cluster F that is sochi.. this doesn't surprise.

Doubt that this happens. The Euros all have other leagues they can play in and will for one year. The NA players don't, so if it appears that the US and Canada are going to get hammered, pressure will rise and they will play.

Olympic Hockey will never be good again. I sincerely hope the World Cup will be revived in the next couple years. This sport needs ultra-high-level international competition. On the World Cup subject, I'd like to see them have the top 7 countries (USA, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Czech, Slovakia, Russia) and an 8th team made up of players from all other countries, an IIHF/"World" team.

I gotta say I think Team USA, Team Sweden, and Team Canada look stacked, on paper anyway. Especially the two North American teams. Those rosters look like they can score and throw some weight around. Sweden looks super skilled. Russia has a great top 6, but IMO the rest of the team looks pretty mediocre, aside from the goaltending. Finland looks weak after all their injuries. Rest of the bigger teams look ok, just not that deep. Talking about men's

This. It's insane how many tap ins we manage to screw up, and it always comes back to bite us.

Probably another flair up on the ol' boob muscle again

U-S-A!!! U-S-A!!! U-S-A!!!

The Flames website still maintains the "urban myth" that he is 5' 10". I can shoot just like he can('t) and I don't have to wear hockey equipment to do it.

What about centaurs with three arms who bear a striking resemblance to Kyle Quincey?

On the other hand, if I'm Detroit, the last team I want to face in the 1st round is a healthy Pittsburgh. I fear Crosby and Malkin alone would make short work of our blue line and Fleury would stand on his head because of course he would.

Too funny. Good point about the pads affecting the shot. Still, with all the gear on, and the soundtrack it was almost like the derpy the clown show. The high five was quite humorous as well.

Wait, so you guys have problems with the play of Cleary, Samuelsson, and Bertuzzi this season. Got it. That's been made abundantly clear by a ridiculous amount of posters. Weiss, though, it is ok for him to play like garbage. And don't give me he actually played better because he didn't. Weiss has sucked at least as badly as the rest of the players mentioned this season. He was terrible. Weiss had a rough go of it coming off of an injury plagued season. Yeah, that's true. None of those other guys were coming off of injury plagued seasons, so that's totally different. I get it, though.... Weiss gets the benefit of the doubt over those other guys because of all that he has given to the team in previous seasons. I mean, he contributed to a Stanley Cup victory in Detroit.... Seriously, though, can someone please explain to me this double standard? Sorry - I know it isn't a Weiss thread. I agree that the kids are contributing better than the aforementioned veterans have this season, including Stephen Weiss (at least just as much as the others mentioned).

Bit of a mixup? Well, I'll keep it going anyway... His Cheeseburger - VeggieTales

grateful fans?

A new training staff and conditioning coach would be most beneficial to this team..