hoya9797
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Post by hoya9797 on Feb 25, 2010 12:04:00 GMT -5
Not only will the Russian NHLers likely play for their national team, but it won't be an issue for any of the KHL talent they have on the roster now. If Bettman really takes a hard line on this, the result could be a major embarrassment for the North American teams. What are the issues at play? What kind of hard line can he take? Either the guy plays in the NHL or he doesn't. What can the NHL do to prevent the Russians from going home? |
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Feb 25, 2010 12:04:22 GMT -5
I really don't think it makes sense for anybody to NOT let the NHL players in the Olympics.
From the IOC's point of view, the NHL players obviously bring a ton of extra fans and TV viewers for the Olympic tournament. Is the Canada-Russia game nearly that big without all the stars that were on the ice?
From the NHL's point of view, the Olympics would be a major competitor if they tried to play through them. Even if the stars aren't there, a lot of people are going to be watching the Olympic games instead of their NHL games. It might not be as bad in Sochi as it would be in Vancouver because of the time change, but I think the NHL would still lose a lot of viewers during the Games.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Feb 25, 2010 12:48:11 GMT -5
To be fair to Bettman, the NHL does lose money -- in the immediate timeframe -- during the Olympics. There is also the risk issue, highlighted last night by Ovie's pinky injury.
But, as Stig points out, no one is going to be watching a lot of NHL during this time anyway (some of us die-hards aside).
Moreover, the Olympics, like the Winter Classic, is an outstanding way to bring in NEW viewers and NHL fans, so it is good for the long-term financial health of the league.
I have never accused Gary Bettman of being able to think long-term though.
As for risk, well, it's a good point, but I'd say there's a lot less risk of severe injury in the Olympics, with it's stricter rules, than there is in your average NHL game.
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Feb 25, 2010 12:50:52 GMT -5
Not only will the Russian NHLers likely play for their national team, but it won't be an issue for any of the KHL talent they have on the roster now. If Bettman really takes a hard line on this, the result could be a major embarrassment for the North American teams. What are the issues at play? What kind of hard line can he take? Either the guy plays in the NHL or he doesn't. What can the NHL do to prevent the Russians from going home? It would probably be a breach of contract for the players if it's not in the CBA. But would the Caps really fire Ovechkin for playing in the Olympics? Me think not. |
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Feb 25, 2010 14:15:27 GMT -5
Wait, Bettman wants to stop sending NHL players to the Olympics?
What kind of freaking idiot is he? Doesn't he realize that it's free advertising for fantastic hockey?
Honestly, it amazes how incredibly awful he is. It's like it is really Andy Kaufman or something playing a 20-year practical joke.
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Feb 25, 2010 14:17:48 GMT -5
Sad the czechs lost. Oh well at least it will avoid any awkwardness in my house hold if US had to play the Czechs.( My dad's from Prague) US really got lucky that the best teams ended up on the same side of the bracket against them. Looks all set up for a US canada rematch in the finals.
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Jack
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Post by Jack on Feb 25, 2010 14:19:42 GMT -5
Wait, Bettman wants to stop sending NHL players to the Olympics? What kind of freaking idiot is he? Doesn't he realize that it's free advertising for fantastic hockey? Honestly, it amazes how incredibly awful he is. It's like it is really Andy Kaufman or something playing a 20-year practical joke. Well they do have to shut down their season and risk injury to their most important commodities all for it to be shown almost exclusively on second tier cable networks, so maybe you could see trying to bargain for some better terms at least. |
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Feb 25, 2010 14:49:40 GMT -5
That's a fair point Jack, and the NHL and Bettman should work toward getting a better deal for suspending their league and putting all their stars out on loan, in effect. I just think the tone of Bettman's comments is that he doesn't want the league participating anymore (again, to be fair, he has not said this specifically, I am just examining his public comments). But maybe he is just emphasizing the negative to try to get into a better bargaining position. I don't like Bettman, that's no secret, but if he does do that and succeeds, I have no problem with giving him credit for it. Looks all set up for a US canada rematch in the finals. I would not at all look past the Finns. They are good. They were definitely considered bigger medal contenders than the US when this tournament began. Granted, I think in the context of the games played to date, that might not be the case anymore, and the US has a big advantage in the net, but they're still very, very talented. |
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hoya9797
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Post by hoya9797 on Feb 25, 2010 15:00:11 GMT -5
What are the issues at play? What kind of hard line can he take? Either the guy plays in the NHL or he doesn't. What can the NHL do to prevent the Russians from going home? It would probably be a breach of contract for the players if it's not in the CBA. But would the Caps really fire Ovechkin for playing in the Olympics? Me think not. I misunderstood the original point. When I saw "play in Russia in 2014" I thought he meant play in the Russian league in 2014 rather than in the NHL. |
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Feb 25, 2010 15:32:48 GMT -5
the US has a big advantage in the net I wouldn't be so sure. The Kipper can be superb when he's on. This could be a matchup of 2 very good, very hot goalies. Then again, King Henrik looked like the hottest goalie in the tournament for a while, then he lets in 3 goals on 4 shots in the 2nd period last night. |
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Feb 25, 2010 16:06:44 GMT -5
Gary Bettman all but killed the NHL. There's no strategic plan, and now's he's trying to negotiate better TV in the public media, resulting in the NHL's second biggest star openly defying him?
Oh, yeah, Bettman's a regular genius here. The players aren't nearly important to a properly marketed NHL as you imply. The only players who would make the slightest blip if they were injured are Crosby and Ovechkin.
Meanwhile, there's a ton of folks who would potentially like hockey but don't watch. Public feuding and stupid ideas of killing the Olympics are really reeling those folks in.
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Feb 26, 2010 13:33:01 GMT -5
Should be a fun day of hockey today. Everybody's anticipating a USA-Canada final, but I think a Finland-Slovakia final is still very possible.
I expect US-Finland to be a low-scoring game, since both Miller and Kiprusoff are great goalies who are on top of their game. The US and Finland had basically identical quarterfinal wins, and I expect their semifinal game to be very similar to the quarterfinal games.
Slovakia-Canada should be fun. The Slovaks are a real dark horse here, but they've got the top-line talent to skate with anybody here. If they keep it close they have a real chance. I think Canada will either blow the Slovaks out of the water or lose a close one.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Feb 26, 2010 14:38:59 GMT -5
Well, I half agree with you.
I can't really see how Slovakia has much of a chance, but who knows? As we have expounded on in detail, when you have two teams with NHL players, anything is possible.
I'm not putting any money on Zdeno Chara & company though, unless someone wants to give me huge odds.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Feb 26, 2010 15:10:47 GMT -5
Strike Fast, Strike Hard, No Mercy Sir!!!
What a goof by Kipper.
US is skating with a LOT of confidence early on. (so much so, it almost burned them a couple of times, but I like it anyway).
Wow. I mean, WOW!
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Jack
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Post by Jack on Feb 26, 2010 15:22:50 GMT -5
Sounds like Kipper may be smoked.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Feb 26, 2010 15:29:15 GMT -5
By the way, have I mentioned.....WOW!!!
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Jack
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Post by Jack on Feb 26, 2010 15:31:03 GMT -5
So can anyone tell me where we get "Finland" from "Suomi?" That's about the only riddle we haven't solved yet.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2010 15:37:30 GMT -5
Wow x 6!
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Feb 26, 2010 15:47:51 GMT -5
Holy cow! I've never seen anything like that. I thought Canada vs. Russia was a rout in the first period, but that's nothing compared to this first period. It was like a video game out there for the US.
To give credit where it's due, the US defense has been as good as the Finnish defense was bad, and that's saying a LOT. Kipper had a bad game, but he and Backstrom have been left out to dry by some absolutely awful defense. I knew that defense was Finland's weakness, but I didn't realize it was going to be THAT bad. On the other end of the ice, the US defense has done a great job of getting the puck out of their own end and on to their forwards' sticks.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Feb 26, 2010 16:18:10 GMT -5
Boz wrote:
Strike Fast, Strike Hard, No Mercy Sir!!!
Well said. Yes, sense'
I agree with all of the "wows!" Nothing reall says it better than that. I was busy with customers right at 3pm. It was about 2 minutes into the game when I got a chance to turn it on. It was already 1-0. Within minutes it was 2-0. Then they held us for what seemed like an "eternity" before we made it 3-0 probably a good 5 minutes later! Then 4 came almost immediately. Then a customer came in and while I was showing him a CD player, 5 and then I heard what I figured was a replay of the 5th goal. NOPE ... number 6. That was just ridiculous. Whoever likened it to a video game was dead on. Also, I heard them say that Finland had only given up 4 goals the entire tournament before today's game. And that was in what ... 4 complete games?
Wow, just wow.
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