Comments on: IIHF president will work to keep NHL in Olympics

By: thecheeman

thecheeman — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:14:30 +0000

Can someone tell me why the IIHF has any restriction on video or images at all? Good god man let everyone use them all they want, if people want to promote hockey and international hockey do your part to help them out. Whose interests are being served here?

Can we beg Lou Lamoriello to leave the Devils and run the IIHF and the NHL at the same time for the next decade?

By: guitarmy204

guitarmy204 — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:32:07 +0000

They need to start their own World Championship that is separate from the Olympics and has all the NHLers at it. Like the Men’s World Cup of Soccer. Then they could do it every 4 years whenever and wherever they want.

By: greatminnesotasportsmind

greatminnesotasportsmind — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 06:59:53 +0000

The NHL owes it to the fans to have the players in the Olympics. It is by far the best hockey to watch every 4 years, regardless where they are held. The players would rather play in the Olympics instead of a meaningless 8-7 game where offensive players shoot more and don’t check (except if your Jeremy Roenick), defensive players make a mockery if the position, and goaltenders have zero chance in net.

Does it disrupt the schedule for 2 weeks, sure it does. But in lieu of the All-Star Game where you take 4 days off anyways, it’s a 10 day difference. Open training camps and start the season 10 days earlier. The majority if the league that doesn’t go to the Olympics, wouldn’t complain of 2 weeks off in February to rest their body and make a run to the post season. Players who are hurt miss 2 weeks less worth of games, which could be huge for Rangers because Gaborik probably will have pulled his groin 5 times or have a hip flexor he can rest.

For 2 weeks, Minnesota fans can cheer against Mikko Koivu, Dany Heatley, and Mikael Granlund while embracing Zach Parise and Ryan Suter (oops bad examples we already do), I mean we can embrace Ryan Kesler of those damn Canucks and Patrick Kane who we will be sick of since he will be a division rival in 2013-14.

By: greatminnesotasportsmind

greatminnesotasportsmind — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 06:43:42 +0000

Welcome to 2013, or in this case 2014…

It’s called a DVR

By: jimw81

jimw81 — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 03:29:05 +0000

one thing i forgot to mention if they do go to the Olympics we are playing a condense schedule in two seasons in which we will have broken down bodies.

By: jimw81

jimw81 — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 03:23:06 +0000

i agree with bettman on this part. he’s running a league and he has use his assets to sell to sponsors at all star games and league events. plus on the players side they dont get paid for this and they have to get their own insurance if something happens to them at the Olympics and league can’t help them out.

By: icelovinbrotha215

icelovinbrotha215 — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 03:17:18 +0000

Yea, I know. Just pointing out the problem that I had during the WJC games. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one.

By: jimw81

jimw81 — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 03:13:29 +0000

it ends at Sochi. i don’t see them going to south Korea for the 2018 winter Olympics because of the travel.

By: mydoglouie

mydoglouie — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 02:58:40 +0000

Great choice for a picture PHT!

By: sportsfan69

sportsfan69 — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 02:44:54 +0000

It would be better than the World Junior’s times of 4 AM and 8AM EST.

By: sportsfan69

sportsfan69 — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 02:43:46 +0000

Sochi, Russia is 9 hours time zone difference.

By: sportsfan69

sportsfan69 — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 02:40:59 +0000

Weekends too?

By: smolsson

smolsson — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 02:35:33 +0000

Maybe this is a good way to keep the KHL from helping Russian players from returning to the NHL. Bargain tool to have the NHL players participate in Olympics in Russia. They don’t uphold the contract agreements, the NHL players do not participate.

By: rich859

rich859 — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 02:04:30 +0000

akmd, I agree that it’s slightly nauseating. But from a business point of view the NHL needs to be selfish and always wonder “what’s in it for them”. In this case, what’s in it for the NHL is to show the world that they have by far the best hockey players in the world.

By: akmd1984

akmd1984 — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 01:47:55 +0000

“We don’t make any money off of it” – Gary Bettman.

Under normal circumstances this would make me want to vomit. Having just come off the biggest money grab in league history, it sadly just makes me want to stop watching the NHL. Nothing but a bunch of greedy SOB’s.

By: icelovinbrotha215

icelovinbrotha215 — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 01:47:15 +0000

It’s a good start. Problem though. Many people, including me, would be working during those times. But I can’t think of any other time to play the games. I like the idea overall.

By: sportsfan69

sportsfan69 — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 01:43:35 +0000

Here’s a suggestion to the IIHF president and International Olympic Committee member Rene Fasel, paid for all travel expenses, along with providing the NHL free exposure at the Olympics. Also, the Winter Olympics make a major advertisement commitment to the NHL similar a beer company, promoting the Winter Olympics. it’s a “Win, Win” for both parties. A true partnership for the NHL and NHLPA who split their revenues 50/50. Plus, provides the American and Canadian audience an awareness and excitement to watch the 2014 Winter Olympics.

The Winter Olympics hockey games should be broadcasted at 8:30 AM and 12 Noon EST. for the premier match up games. Those times in Sochi, Russia would be 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM respectively. That’s works out great for both parties. Again, it’s creative thoughts.