Bettman: No NHLers at 2014 Olympics possible

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

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

Well according to the poll on TSN it is a vast minority.

[toby91_ca 620]

Even if Bettman isn't the commissioner, I highly doubt the NHL will be in the Olympics past 2010.

It makes absolutely "zero" sense for the NHL to shut it's league down for its players to go play in the Olympics.

[kozac 10]

Nobody would care for olympic hockey without the pros just like nobody cares about olympic soccer or basketball without the pros. It is NOT a strain on the fans, on the contrary, with so many international players in the NHL, it only adds to the overall hockey experience. Its fun to watch your favorite players represent their country and many times players from the same NHL club play against each other. I'll go as far as saying that it brings in NEW FANS, which is a very good thing at this point Gary.

[toby91_ca 620]

Nobody would care for olympic hockey without the pros just like nobody cares about olympic soccer or basketball without the pros. It is NOT a strain on the fans, on the contrary, with so many international players in the NHL, it only adds to the overall hockey experience. Its fun to watch your favorite players represent their country and many times players from the same NHL club play against each other. I'll go as far as saying that it brings in NEW FANS, which is a very good thing at this point Gary.

People may enjoy watching it more with NHL players, maybe, but that doesn't do anything for the league. If you think it would actually bring new fans to the league, I think you need to think about it a little more. Fans that woudl be more interested in watching because of the NHL players are those that are fans of the NHL. If you want to argue that people would be more drawn into the sport because they would be watching the best players play, I think you'd be making an extremely weak argument.

Shutting the league down and sending players to the Olympics has never made sense for the league.

Nobody would care for olympic hockey without the pros

Edit, forogt to mention.....not sure how I can express how much I disagree with that statement. If you are only a fan of the NHL and not hockey in general, then maybe, but I would think the vast majority of hockey fans spend much of their lives with the game and watching the NHL represents only a part of that.

[The Noodle 39 14]

NHL players don't belong in the Olympics anyways. There pro athletes who make millions of dollars and get enough recognition on tv and stuff. Leave the Olympics to the average people and college kids. IMO the olympics are for average people who train the whole year and hope they make it.

[MacK_Attack 108]

Nobody would care for olympic hockey without the pros just like nobody cares about olympic soccer or basketball without the pros. It is NOT a strain on the fans, on the contrary, with so many international players in the NHL, it only adds to the overall hockey experience. Its fun to watch your favorite players represent their country and many times players from the same NHL club play against each other. I'll go as far as saying that it brings in NEW FANS, which is a very good thing at this point Gary.

I disagree. I think if you sent the World Junior teams over, you'd get better hockey than if the NHL players went. Some of those NHLers go over and play not to get hurt.

In the early 90s, we had some fantastic Olympic hockey with the likes of a young Paul Kariya and Peter Forsberg dueling over Gold.

[auxlepli 17]

So far all the responses on The Hockey News article disagree with Bettman and think NHL players should play in 2014. In the corresponding poll, 71 percent say NHL players should participate.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/1144...4-Olympics.html

Edited November 29, 2007 by auxlepli

[55fan 5,133]

The arguement regarding injuries is valid, and I can't disagree with it at all.

On the other hand, who do you root for when your team(s) are out? As a proud citizen of the USA who has lived in Canada, I root for those teams in that order. Having NHL guys in makes me actually care whether Sweden defeats Finland or if it's the other way around. Think back...wasn't it great as a Wings fan to say "Yeah! That's our Zetterberg! That's our Lidstrom! That's our Sammy! That's our Kronwall!" How often do we get to say "That's our Sammy! That's our Kronwall!"?

It won't end my world if they don't get to play for their countries, but it may be a big deal to them. Plus not all the guys on a team are NHL players. Scouts see a lot, but can only see so much. A word here or there from someone like Lidstrom or Zata about a former Olympic teammate can be a nice source of info above and beyond what the scouts contribute. This can also be the case if we are thinking of trading for someone they've played with.

I'd prefer to let them play. That's just my opinion, and I respect the many valid points on the other side of the issue.

[toby91_ca 620]

The arguement regarding injuries is valid, and I can't disagree with it at all.

On the other hand, who do you root for when your team(s) are out? As a proud citizen of the USA who has lived in Canada, I root for those teams in that order. Having NHL guys in makes me actually care whether Sweden defeats Finland or if it's the other way around. Think back...wasn't it great as a Wings fan to say "Yeah! That's our Zetterberg! That's our Lidstrom! That's our Sammy! That's our Kronwall!" How often do we get to say "That's our Sammy! That's our Kronwall!"?

It won't end my world if they don't get to play for their countries, but it may be a big deal to them. Plus not all the guys on a team are NHL players. Scouts see a lot, but can only see so much. A word here or there from someone like Lidstrom or Zata about a former Olympic teammate can be a nice source of info above and beyond what the scouts contribute. This can also be the case if we are thinking of trading for someone they've played with.

I'd prefer to let them play. That's just my opinion, and I respect the many valid points on the other side of the issue.

Check your calendar, when the Olympics are played, no teams are out.

I understand why, as a fan, you'd like to see your favourite players playing in the Olympics and that's why when you see polls on this topic, it will likely be weighted in favour of sending the players, but that doesn't change the fact that is makes zero, zero, zero sense for the NHL.

The players themselves wanted to play, so it was a concession made to the NHLPA in the past, but I think it will go away.

[Louisville 112]

A strain on the fans? Are you ******* kidding me? What the f*** do you know about the fans?

Sorry, his comments pissed me off more than this information.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Check your calendar, when the Olympics are played, no teams are out.

I understand why, as a fan, you'd like to see your favourite players playing in the Olympics and that's why when you see polls on this topic, it will likely be weighted in favour of sending the players, but that doesn't change the fact that is makes zero, zero, zero sense for the NHL.

The players themselves wanted to play, so it was a concession made to the NHLPA in the past, but I think it will go away.

I don't think it makes zero sense for the NHL.

I can understand why they wouldn't want to stop the season and risk having their players get injured in a non-NHL game. But the Olympics are a massive stage to watch the sport. A lot of people watch sports in the Olympics that they don't watch normally, and it's an opportunity for non-fans to be exposed to the stars of the game.

I understanding not wanting professionals to play, but that's not the nature of the Olympics anymore. And it is kind of cool to see players playing for their country. It becomes almost like an all-star game, with line combinations you don't get to see in the NHL, but the games actually mean something.

And as for those who think the players are playing not to get hurt, do they not remember Yzerman playing?

More than anything, I just hope Bettman is not the commissioner of the NHL in 2014 (or 2008 for that matter, but that's highly unlikely).

[toby91_ca 620]

I don't think it makes zero sense for the NHL.

I can understand why they wouldn't want to stop the season and risk having their players get injured in a non-NHL game. But the Olympics are a massive stage to watch the sport. A lot of people watch sports in the Olympics that they don't watch normally, and it's an opportunity for non-fans to be exposed to the stars of the game.

No, it's right around zero.

The game of hockey is going to get exposure whether you have the pros there or not. In terms of non-fans watching, they don't know who is a star and who isn't. I would argue that having the non-pros there would make for a better product and actually be better advertisement for the game.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

No, it's right around zero.

The game of hockey is going to get exposure whether you have the pros there or not. In terms of non-fans watching, they don't know who is a star and who isn't. I would argue that having the non-pros there would make for a better product and actually be better advertisement for the game.

No, actually it isn't.

How would non-pros be better advertisement for the NHL? I don't follow your reasoning.

The game of hockey gets exposure, but without the pros you don't get the name recognition. People may have heard about Sidney Crosby, but never saw him play. Now they can.

Even if they've never heard the names before, they will during the Olympics with all the cheesy personal profiles they do. So they can find out about AO, Crosby, Zetterberg and watch all those guys compete for the gold. Then when the Olympics are over, they can actually see those same guys play in the NHL.

With the non-pros, you get to enjoy the game of hockey but when the Olympics are over, it's a lot less likely to translate to following the NHL. Because after hearing about these players for a few weeks, there's really no way to watch them play again unless they crack an NHL team's lineup.

Typical Bettman:

"It is a strain. It is a strain on the players, on the schedule and on our fans here." Bettman told Reuters.

No one forces the players to go. And as someone else mentioned, how the f*ck is it a strain on the fans? "Ohh no! I get to watch my favorite players compete for their country! What a burden!"

It's a strain on the NHL, yes. But the other two are bullsh*t. This is what drives me nuts about Bettman. He just makes stuff up and speaks for the fans, yet has no idea what they really think. (as demonstrated by the poll).

Edited November 29, 2007 by haroldsnepsts

[toby91_ca 620]

No, actually it isn't.

How would non-pros be better advertisement for the NHL? I don't follow your reasoning.

The game of hockey gets exposure, but without the pros you don't get the name recognition. People may have heard about Sidney Crosby, but never saw him play. Now they can.

Even if they've never heard the names before, they will during the Olympics with all the cheesy personal profiles they do. So they can find out about AO, Crosby, Zetterberg and watch all those guys compete for the gold. Then when the Olympics are over, they can actually see those same guys play in the NHL.

With the non-pros, you get to enjoy the game of hockey but when the Olympics are over, it's a lot less likely to translate to following the NHL. Because after hearing about these players for a few weeks, there's really no way to watch them play again unless they crack an NHL team's lineup.

I just think I disagree. I think you are speaking from a non-objective point of view. A non-hockey fan isn't really going to view the game like that. You aren't really going to get to know the players over that short period of time anyway.

People like us enjoy watching and finding those players we like to watch, but we're already fans of the game.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I just think I disagree. I think you are speaking from a non-objective point of view. A non-hockey fan isn't really going to view the game like that. You aren't really going to get to know the players over that short period of time anyway.

People like us enjoy watching and finding those players we like to watch, but we're already fans of the game.

I was just thinking of how I watch the Olympics. And honestly I watch sports there that I wouldn't normally, and over the course of the games do learn some of the bigger names in the sport.

If the U.S team made a good run at the gold, a lot of people will watch and it'll get coverage simply because of the chance at winning Gold. And over the course of a couple games, I think you can get to recognize the star players. If you watch Sweden play and you hear them talking about Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Holmstrom, and how they all play for the Wings and how talented they are, you don't think that could translate into someone checking out a Wings game?

I'm not saying it's the greatest promotion for the sport, but when comparing having NHL players or non-pros, the NHL players are going to be the better promotion.

[VM1138 1,921]

I think this is a good move by Bettman, surprisingly. Putting professionals in the Olympics was a mistake to begin with, and while I love watching NHLers, this is a good opportunity to see what other talent is out there in the world.

[mmorland 16]

In case you guys forgot, professionals didn't start participating in any Olympics until about 2 decades ago. Let the amateurs battle it out and let the pros play the season here.

[Guest jaytan]

Frankly, I don't even really like the Olympics. I never watch the summer games because 90 per cent of the sports played in the tournament are awful (track and field, wrestling, etc.), five per cent aren't even sports (synchronized swimming, anyone?) and the rest I'm not that into (baseball, soccer, basketball). And only total pedophiles would find gymnastics interesting.

I watch a little bit of the winter games, but usually end up wondering why I bother.

With all that said, I'd love to go to Vancouver in 2010.

[redwing711 0]

No, actually it isn't.

How would non-pros be better advertisement for the NHL? I don't follow your reasoning.

The game of hockey gets exposure, but without the pros you don't get the name recognition. People may have heard about Sidney Crosby, but never saw him play. Now they can.

Even if they've never heard the names before, they will during the Olympics with all the cheesy personal profiles they do. So they can find out about AO, Crosby, Zetterberg and watch all those guys compete for the gold. Then when the Olympics are over, they can actually see those same guys play in the NHL.

With the non-pros, you get to enjoy the game of hockey but when the Olympics are over, it's a lot less likely to translate to following the NHL. Because after hearing about these players for a few weeks, there's really no way to watch them play again unless they crack an NHL team's lineup.

Typical Bettman:

No one forces the players to go. And as someone else mentioned, how the f*ck is it a strain on the fans? "Ohh no! I get to watch my favorite players compete for their country! What a burden!"

It's a strain on the NHL, yes. But the other two are bullsh*t. This is what drives me nuts about Bettman. He just makes stuff up and speaks for the fans, yet has no idea what they really think. (as demonstrated by the poll).

I want to know how someone who is not a fan of hockey is suddenly going to be watching games after seeing our stars in the Olympics. I pay a good chunk of money each year for center ice to watch hockey because I love it, but I highly doubt someone with minimal interest after the Olympics will put out that kind of money. The only time it is readily available is if it is the local market team or some of the playoff games are broadcast on NBC.

Not only that, if someone has no interest in hockey at all, why would they watch an Olympic hockey game. I have no interest in shooting and when that portion of the Olympics is on, I turn on something else. You could make the argument that some people will watch events they have no interest in if their country is competing, and that may be so, but how many of those big names you keep throwing out there are Americans? and are non-hockey fans going to be paying attention to the NHL stars on the Swedish Olympic team.

[StormJH1 231]

Bettman should be worried about protecting his league, but he's talking out of both sides of his ass if he's talking about promoting the game abroad through regular season games in London, while simaltaneously pulling the NHL's best talent out of the international setting that would generate the most international exposure.

I've loved all 3 Olympic hockey tournaments with NHL players in them. I'm sorry, but there is no such thing as an amateur athlete in the Olympics anymore. Not since the Dream Team and the thousands of dollars all of these individual sports stars have in marketing deals before they've ever done a thing in the public eye. And you can't pretend like the Olympics are this big fiesta of patriotism and "who's the best" without sending the best your country has to offer.

The Czech Republic winning in '98 set the tone that doomed the NHL in the Olympics. Face it: If Canada or the U.S. dominated every year, North American fans would be all over the Olympics. But since we found out that (surprise!) European countries might be able to field better teams than us, suddenly, we don't want to play anymore. Shocking.

Watching entire Olympic hockey games on MSNBC was far more interesting than any regular season NHL game, or even most playoff games. Even if your team isn't the one winning the Gold. I found myself invested in several of the teams because of my knowledge of the individual players--I rooted for Sweden because of Lidstrom, Holmstrom, etc., and I even rooted for Slovakia b/c I live in MN and enjoy watching the Wild with Gaborik and Demitra. The World Cup is okay, but it's in July, and really, nobody cares. Leave the Olympics how they were...if you're so interested in watching collegiate players represent your country, why doesn't the World Junior Championships have better ratings?

It's a strain on the NHL, yes. But the other two are bullsh*t. This is what drives me nuts about Bettman. He just makes stuff up and speaks for the fans, yet has no idea what they really think. (as demonstrated by the poll).

Totally agree w/ haroldsnepsts. The fact that most of you are siding with Gary Bettman should be your first indication that you couldbe wrong.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I want to know how someone who is not a fan of hockey is suddenly going to be watching games after seeing our stars in the Olympics. I pay a good chunk of money each year for center ice to watch hockey because I love it, but I highly doubt someone with minimal interest after the Olympics will put out that kind of money. The only time it is readily available is if it is the local market team or some of the playoff games are broadcast on NBC.

Not only that, if someone has no interest in hockey at all, why would they watch an Olympic hockey game. I have no interest in shooting and when that portion of the Olympics is on, I turn on something else. You could make the argument that some people will watch events they have no interest in if their country is competing, and that may be so, but how many of those big names you keep throwing out there are Americans? and are non-hockey fans going to be paying attention to the NHL stars on the Swedish Olympic team.

We're talking about 2014 here. Hopefully the game will have worked its way back onto ESPN or have some coverage that's better than it does now. I'll be extremely disappointed if by that time it is still the marginalized sport it currently is, and Bettman is still running things.

You can pick apart the couple examples I threw out there, but it's all just speculation. All I was saying was that there is some potential benefit of having the players play in the olympics. I don't think it's the be all end all of promotion and is going to turn millions of fans onto the game. But the Olympics are a huge event around the world. There's definitely some chance of it highlighting some of the stars of the NHL, no matter where they're from.

What's funny is that in the same article, Bettman talks about expanding the number of games played in Europe. Okay Gary, so you say the olympics are a strain on the players and us fans, yet playing in Europe is at the same time a great idea??

"Our experience in London was terrific," Bettman told Reuters. "There are rumors rampant that we might go to Prague or Stockholm next. We're looking at the options.

"I could envision at a point in time in the future to maybe go to a dozen different cities over time. There are lots of hockey markets with tremendously avid fans throughout Europe."

According to the report, Bettman mentioned Moscow, St. Petersburg, Helsinki and various German cities among the possibilities.

yet he says this about the Olympics:

"It is a strain. It is a strain on the players, on the schedule and on our fans here." Bettman told Reuters.

"It has an impact on the momentum of the season and the benefits we get tend to be greater when the Olympics are in North America than when they're in distant time zones."

Classic Bettman doublespeak. He should go into politics.

EDITED for grammar.

Edited November 29, 2007 by haroldsnepsts

[55fan 5,133]

Check your calendar, when the Olympics are played, no teams are out.

I wasn't clear in my original post. I was talking about the 2006 games only. US and Canada were out by the time Sweden and Finland played for the silver/gold. Other years, yes, they have still been in it.

I guess my point is that I love watching the games, but I like having a team to root for. One can pick out of a hat or by whether one likes lingenberries, or which has the prettiest colours, but knowing the players gives you that extra emotional tie-in.

Like I said, it's not a breaking point for me; just saying I like it as is.