Bettman: No NHLers at 2014 Olympics possible

[up2here 41]

Saw this on TSN http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story

The 2014 games are in Russia whose league has yet to sign the Transfer Agreement. Anyone else smell politics on this one??

[Wings_Fan_In_Exile 3]

I may be in the minority on this one, but I'd prefer it if Olympic Hockey went back to amatuer status. Don't get me wrong, it was cool seeing Stevie Y and company win gold (even though I was rooting for USA) but I surprisingly miss watching college kids (US) playing their butts off instead of babies like Tkachuk whine about stuff.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

TSN Link

Saw this on TSN and didn't see it posted. Personally I think it would be a huge mistake. Makes me wonder whether part of the reason is because it is in Russia. Still bitter from them not signing the Transfer agreement?

''It is a strain on the players, on the schedule and on our fans here,''

Ummm...Gary, last time I checked many players live and die to play for their country, especially at the olympic level. A strain on the fans? That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Hockey fans can never get enough.

What do you guys think?

Of course someone makes the same thread 2min later... lol

[up2here 41]

I may be in the minority on this one, but I'd prefer it if Olympic Hockey went back to amatuer status. Don't get me wrong, it was cool seeing Stevie Y and company win gold (even though I was rooting for USA) but I surprisingly miss watching college kids (US) playing their butts off instead of babies like Tkachuk whine about stuff.

I'm with you 100%

[irishtemper14+25 11]

yea, no professionals would be a cool thing, but i think just the nhl should be excluded...young propsects should be able to play for their country

[Wings_Fan_In_Exile 3]

yea, no professionals would be a cool thing, but i think just the nhl should be excluded...young propsects should be able to play for their country

Sounds good to me.

[MacK_Attack 108]

What they should do is not have the World Junior tournament during Olympic years and just have the Under-20 players play at the Olympics, instead.

Edited November 28, 2007 by MacK_Attack

[Hank 0]

I may be in the minority on this one, but I'd prefer it if Olympic Hockey went back to amatuer status. Don't get me wrong, it was cool seeing Stevie Y and company win gold (even though I was rooting for USA) but I surprisingly miss watching college kids (US) playing their butts off instead of babies like Tkachuk whine about stuff.

I'm in the same boat. I've enjoyed the pro-Olympics but I really enjoyed it before then. The 94 final was awesome.

[wingslogo19 281]

Yeah I would like to see the olympics without NHL players

[Jwo 7]

Hey they posted my comment!

I consider Jr's and college kids to be Pros as they have a higher chance of making it to the NHL then some smuck playing in the beer leagues. Either way the olympics are ment to have the best of the best from your country competing in the events.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Lame. Simple as that.

[Offsides 21]

I'm okay with it. I'm tired of the Olympics now with the NHLers. I was all for it at first and it was cool. But it's sort of old now.

[SweWings 45]

I'm okay with it. I'm tired of the Olympics now with the NHLers. I was all for it at first and it was cool. But it's sort of old now.

I think it has something to do with the WC being played every year - packed with NHL players. It waters down the potential of the Olympics.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

It doesn't matter to me. I would rather it be amateurs in hockey and baseball. But not basketball, it's good how it is.

[Barrie 900]

I enjoyed it in 1998 and especially 2002 (being Canadian), but 2006 was one to many times I thought. I really missed the NHL during the 2006 Olympics, so I have no problems with 2010 being the last year the NHL'ers are going.

Even without the Olympics, there's still the World Cup of Hockey, which is pretty much the same thing.

[MacK_Attack 108]

Even without the Olympics, there's still the World Cup of Hockey, which is pretty much the same thing.

There won't be another one until the NHL needs another cash-grab.

[Barrie 900]

There won't be another one until the NHL needs another cash-grab.

Could be very soon then.

[Guest jaytan]

For once, I think I may side with the Buttman on this one. Having NHL athletes in the tournament helps the Olympics much more than it helps the league. In fact, I could argue that it has the potential to do a lot of harm to the NHL. The biggest problem is that players can be (and often are) injured during the Games. Related to that is the probability that some teams will be negatively impacted by having some of their best players focused on a meaningless event in the middle of the season rather than on the true prize at the end of the season.

Olympic hockey is also played differently from NHL hockey (and in my opinion, the NHL rink size, rules and style are vastly superior) and in the past, this has helped influence the league in its decision to make several ill-advised changes.

And finally, having multi-millionaire professional hockey players compete in the Games is against the spirit of what the Olympics are supposed to be about. Why not leave the tournament to amateur athletes in juniors and college who would really enjoy the honor of representing their country and wouldn't act like spoiled brats or lazy, uninterested pros. Remember how embarassing it was to see the Americans trash their hotel rooms in Nagano? On the flip side, wasn't it fantastic watching those kids do the impossible in '80?

Let the professionals settle their International scores after the NHL season, at the World Championships.

Case closed. Olympics are bad for the NHL and having NHL players compete in them is bad for our sport.

[auxlepli 17]

I have mixed feelings about it. I've enjoyed the professionals in Olympic hockey, but I also liked when it was amateurs. As a fan of the NHL, and given a choice, I'd rather see NHL players in the Olympics than the All Star Game. In fact I'd be in favor of ending the ASG to make the season shorter.

[Guest jaytan]

That's the one thing I forgot to mention in my post! I hated that the Olympics robbed us of the All-Star weekend. That's always a lot of fun, and the Olympics are hit-or-miss.

[Barrie 900]

Olympic hockey is also played differently from NHL hockey (and in my opinion, the NHL rink size, rules and style are vastly superior) and in the past, this has helped influence the league in its decision to make several ill-advised changes.

Good point!

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

From a fan standpoint, I'd much rather watch the Olympics with NHL players in them, but since when has the NHL acted in the best interests of its fans? I understand the injury concerns, but injuries are a part of hockey, so these players know what they're getting themselves into. The Olympics are supposed to be about which country has the best team, and that can only be judged by sending the best players, and not amateurs.

P.S.

Here's to hoping that Bettman might not be the commissioner by 2014, but that's probably just wishful thinking on my part.

[Izzy24 44]

Maybe he's implying there won't be an NHL in 2014.

[OsGOD 3]

I may be in the minority on this one, but I'd prefer it if Olympic Hockey went back to amatuer status. Don't get me wrong, it was cool seeing Stevie Y and company win gold (even though I was rooting for USA) but I surprisingly miss watching college kids (US) playing their butts off instead of babies like Tkachuk whine about stuff.

I don't think you are in that much of the minority... i also agree 100%

[Jwo 7]

Even without the Olympics, there's still the World Cup of Hockey, which is pretty much the same thing.

But World Cup of Hockey is not on TV like Olympic Hockey is. So it's not the same thing.

Edited November 29, 2007 by Jwo