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Exactly. The owner weren't concerned about "losing momentum" and "not having any income from games" when they locked the players out for half a season last year, and the full season before that. And they're not concerned about injuries to their prize assets, as they can just as easily get injured in a summer world cup. Its all about money, nothing more, nothing less.

I'm not sure what this means, but he had 23 points in 31 games so far this year, That's on pace for 61 points in a full season, and he was red hot when he was injured, so yes it is a loss.

Oh I think I estimated the owners about right. I think everybody else is overestimating the owners concerns about shutting down the league. Just think about this for a second, these are the same guys who wiped out an entire season and almost another (maybe about 52 weeks worth of games). Do you honestly think these guys are worried about 2-3 weeks every 4 years?? That's child's play to these guys. And I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the owners who have a problem with the Olympics are the same ones who supported the lockouts. Talk about irony.

From NHL: Uncle Gary sez... This "epiphany" comes from his economic reality of all the money he could make, from areas such as merchandise sales and increased ticket prices, just to name a couple. Keep in mind that he is one of the greatest "control freaks", who also happens to be the head of a major sport, of all-time.

Kind of off topic, but it reminds me of a Michigander friend of mine, who is Hispanic and has family still in Mexico. His much younger brother played hockey and LOVED the Red Wings. My friend follows hockey but didn't play. My friend would tell his brother that he liked the Wings because the Wings have a Mexican player. The conversation would go something like this: Friend: I like the Wings because they have a Mexican guy. Brother: They don't have Mexicans. Friend: Oh, yeah? What about Pablo Datsyuk? Brother: It's PAVEL Datsyuk. Friend: Pavel? There aren't any Mexicans named Pavel. Brother: He's Russian. Friend: No way. There aren't any Russians in Mexico. Brother: He's not from Mexico. Friend: All Mexicans are from Mexico. Brother: He's not Mexican. Friend: Sure his is. Why else would he be named Pablo? This would go on and on until the brother gave up. The brother is grown up now. Game over.

Cleary fell down walking up to the bar

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

If I'm paying for a season, and getting a season, I really don't care about the exact disbursements. Like I said, there could possibly be an issue with trades (or injuries) and whether or not the percentage of payments made equals the percentage of service received, but that should be a rare case. If it were an issue, just make sure the paychecks are scheduled roughly in accordance to games played, and not have a pay period during the break. I was kind of being a smartass with the "free country" thing, and didn't mean to spark a political debate. My point was just that it really isn't much of a risk. It's hockey, not a Russian Roulette tournament. The likelihood of injury is small. I don't think it's reasonable for the league to prohibit participation. By all means, make the players bear the liability if they do get injured, but don't say they can't play. For the "property" thing, there are no words to describe how wrong that is. So I will invent one now... Negoggliotic. So far as I found, this is all the CBA has to say on the Olympics. "24.5 The NHL and the NHLPA shall continue to work together to jointly create and exploit other international projects and initiatives involving NHL Players other than International Hockey Games, including games, series, events or contests (e.g., the World Cup of Hockey, European Champions' League, Victoria Cup Competition, Olympic participation, etc.)." Sure, if the players agree to not play, the whole thing is moot. But from all being said so far, it sure sounds like the league will be making the decision on its own.

1A. The number doesn't matter, I was responding to the assertion that if you make greater than X amount of dollars, then the person who willingly gave it to you in exchange for you're service somehow has the power to stop you from doing what you professionally do. 2A. That wasn't my argument, I said if they weren't filming the TV show for say 2 months, you can't stop the Actor from taking a 6 week movie gig in the time off just because you don't like it. 3. That isn't the whole point of contention. A part of it, yes (maybe a big part of it), but not the whole point. And I understand the principle behind it, but I think any negative effects of "shutting down during the season" are just a figment of people's imaginations. We're talking about moving from an average of 2.8 games per week for each team during non-interrupted seasons to 3.03 games per week during Olympic years (Every 4 seasons) due to the two week break. Still the same 82 games being scheduled that they have every year. We're talking about maybe 50 out of 600 NHL players for a whopping 8% of employees going to the Olympics (I just took these numbers out of a hat, if anybody has the real numbers I'll redo the calculations). Over 90% of NHL players are getting a two week vacation to rest/heal/recover/get healthy. And there are a few teams that are actually sending younger players to the minors to play some games over the break, so the organizations obviously aren't too worried about players getting injured playing for someone else. As I've covered in other posts, the owners aren't actually losing any home games or mysteriously required to pay out an extra paycheck to every player. These are all non issues. Are there other issues that might be legitimate? Yeah, there are. But I think everything I've discussed in this thread should/could be resolved by using l little more brain power.

Id veto any deal that includes jurco. Hes gonna be a stud. Not that i want to get rid of tatar or nyq, but jurcos big. And he hits.

You think every time Smith tries to hand Abdelkader a beer he turns it over to Andersson instead? Haha, I can't stop thinking about Red Wings beer drinking metaphors now. I bet Abdelkader works SUPER hard to get his beer open and then shoots it wide of his mouth when he finally tries to take a drink.

The Hangover IV.

What's the point of picking a team in the Olympics if you aren't going to pick your national team? That's literally the ENTIRE point of the Olympics. Unless you're a German hockey fan and don't have a horse in the race, it's completely absurd to root against your country in an event which is specifically designed for nations to compete with one another. I could understand not caring who wins, and only caring about seeing good games. But that means that you would be just as happy to see your team win as any other. But to actively hope another team is better than your national team makes no sense to me. Would you root against our home country's world junior team? How about your hometown high school team? Silly.

1) Quit bitching about the time zones. The rest of the world is in different time zones and manages to cope with it for major sporting events. America may be the biggest single TV market, but it is not the only TV market. 2) If the NHL received a cut of the hockey revenue from the Winter Olympics, all these complaints from Bettman and the owners would disappear instantly.

Tre Kronor. That is all.

She probably handled it better than I would.

That really sucks lol

"Convince" Average Jimmy to waive his NTC and send him to Edmonton for their #1 pick in the draft this year. Acquire Ryan Miller from the Sabres and start planning at least 2 Cup parades in the next 4 years.

Trading for an old defenseman who's coming off a concussion and carries a $4.75mil cap hit: not good. From Boston's perspective, trading Morrow for Quincey would possibly get their GM fired. With his injury problems this year? I doubt it.

If it's just Gilbert, they might be able to get him straight up for Kindl. I'm not sure how much more he'd be able to fetch. I'm not really sold on Kulikov either, especially with the prospect depth the Wings have, but anytime you can get a talented 23 year old in a trade, I think you have to take a good look at it. They could always do a conditional pick or two instead of set rounds, too.

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!

before the Olympics start ill just suggest signing AK Bars Kazan top 2 D men (not happening I know) which would help us address the Fwd issue. Yevgeni Medvedev and Ilya Nikulin, offer both 2 year deals. Let Quincey walk, use Smith and Kindl with a roster forward Andersson to get the top scoring forward we need. Split the saved $ with the release of these 4 players and give that to the 2 Russian D's. ie $4'100'000 each year for 2 years. This will give us a 2 top D that could play from 1-4, so we could go with Kronwall & DeKeyser, Medvedev & Nikulin and Ericsson Lashoff/ Marchenko. Just a thought, doubt it would happen as the Russian guys have never left their shores, maybe Pav could sweet talk them into coming over.

Wow, only the Gold Medal Game is on NBC proper. Farking pathetic.

Considering he played for the Golden Gophers, has family there and Heatley's 7.5 million is coming off the books next season, I'd say it's a pretty good chance that he signs in Minnesota next season. No reason to risk moving assets for a guy who seems to be heading somewhere else.

I don't think vanek would fit here... yes hes a goal scorer which is EXACTLY what the forward group needs, but hes a soft floater who isnt responsible defensively at all. He's also looking for a huge contract and I think signing him to a long contract would kill any team