Ovechkin Playing in 2014 Games "Regardless"

[EBondo 233]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?...17&name=nhl

Could get ugly, no?

[furlanitalia 1]

There's no way the caps would suspend him. I think not playing in the olympics is a terrible move by the nhl, and not good for the olympics. How many people watch the world cup when all the stars are in the playoffs? If you have some high profile games lined up with the olympic hockey games, pretty sure the nhl games will win. That being said, anyone that is a mediocre hockey fan might flip over to snowboarding/skiing or something instead of hockey. It's a win win in my mind having them work together.

[ts.krajewski 0]

I can understand where both the players and the NHL is coming from, but I also agree with Furlanitalia no way would the Caps be that stupid to suspend the only reason anyone cares about them.

[dsjunior1388 81]

Bold statement, but I just don't believe it. Look at Ovie in the playoffs the last two years, he want's a cup. I just don't see Ovie taking time off during the stretch run and abandoning his teammates. The peer pressure from the front office will be tremendous, but the peer pressure in the room will be twice as high. (assuming the caps are in the hunt). I could see this happening for a guy on a team with no chance, not a playoff contender though.

If anything this will be a big step towards the NHL participating in the 2014 Olympics, especially if more come forward.

[IniNew 53]

Cups are all fine and dandy, but in Ovechkins case, I'm pretty sure playing for Russia is far more important than the NHL.

[ts.krajewski 0]

Another thing. The last thing I would want to do is piss off Ovie, because if he leaves the NHL to play in the Russian league. That would be a huge hit to building up the NHL.

[chippa13 1844]

There's no way the caps would suspend him. I think not playing in the olympics is a terrible move by the nhl, and not good for the olympics. How many people watch the world cup when all the stars are in the playoffs? If you have some high profile games lined up with the olympic hockey games, pretty sure the nhl games will win. That being said, anyone that is a mediocre hockey fan might flip over to snowboarding/skiing or something instead of hockey. It's a win win in my mind having them work together.

The Olympic break kills the NHL more than the exposure helps. More often than not, the games are at weird times that make it difficult viewing for folks in North America. It cuts right into the stretch run, kills the players with a more compact schedule and the games immediately following the break have all the flow of preseason tune-ups. I, for one, will be happy when the NHLers stop going to the games. They were more exciting with amateurs and you got to see the next generation of stars while at the same time not losing 2 plus weeks of NHL action to the break.

Another thing. The last thing I would want to do is piss off Ovie, because if he leaves the NHL to play in the Russian league. That would be a huge hit to building up the NHL.

If he would rather desert his team in the stretch for a chance at gold then the KHL can have him. How do you market a guy who runs out on his teammates for 2 1/2 weeks?

[lee92 2]

There's no way the caps would suspend him. I think not playing in the olympics is a terrible move by the nhl, and not good for the olympics. How many people watch the world cup when all the stars are in the playoffs? If you have some high profile games lined up with the olympic hockey games, pretty sure the nhl games will win. That being said, anyone that is a mediocre hockey fan might flip over to snowboarding/skiing or something instead of hockey. It's a win win in my mind having them work together.

The Olympic break kills the NHL more than the exposure helps. More often than not, the games are at weird times that make it difficult viewing for folks in North America. It cuts right into the stretch run, kills the players with a more compact schedule and the games immediately following the break have all the flow of preseason tune-ups. I, for one, will be happy when the NHLers stop going to the games. They were more exciting with amateurs and you got to see the next generation of stars while at the same time not losing 2 plus weeks of NHL action to the break.

Another thing. The last thing I would want to do is piss off Ovie, because if he leaves the NHL to play in the Russian league. That would be a huge hit to building up the NHL.

If he would rather desert his team in the stretch for a chance at gold then the KHL can have him. How do you market a guy who runs out on his teammates for 2 1/2 weeks?

If you're gonna have the next wave of stars playing in the Olympics, what's the point in the World Juniors Tournament? The Olympics should be the best of the best, not a bunch of plugs who can't hack it professionally in their sport. The world doesn't revolve around North America, so who cares about the scheduling. I don't blame Ovechkin wanting to play. How can you fault a man for wanting to play for his country in the biggest sports event when it's in his country? He wants a Cup and all, but I'm sure Olympic Gold is a notch higher in his mind.

[reyno2ac 0]

There's no way the caps would suspend him. I think not playing in the olympics is a terrible move by the nhl, and not good for the olympics. How many people watch the world cup when all the stars are in the playoffs? If you have some high profile games lined up with the olympic hockey games, pretty sure the nhl games will win. That being said, anyone that is a mediocre hockey fan might flip over to snowboarding/skiing or something instead of hockey. It's a win win in my mind having them work together.

The Olympic break kills the NHL more than the exposure helps. More often than not, the games are at weird times that make it difficult viewing for folks in North America. It cuts right into the stretch run, kills the players with a more compact schedule and the games immediately following the break have all the flow of preseason tune-ups. I, for one, will be happy when the NHLers stop going to the games. They were more exciting with amateurs and you got to see the next generation of stars while at the same time not losing 2 plus weeks of NHL action to the break.

Another thing. The last thing I would want to do is piss off Ovie, because if he leaves the NHL to play in the Russian league. That would be a huge hit to building up the NHL.

If he would rather desert his team in the stretch for a chance at gold then the KHL can have him. How do you market a guy who runs out on his teammates for 2 1/2 weeks?

I agree with what you've said. But at the same time I understand Ovie wanting to play in the olympics, he shouldn't leave his team for the opportunity though.

[IniNew 53]

If he would rather desert his team in the stretch for a chance at gold then the KHL can have him. How do you market a guy who runs out on his teammates for 2 1/2 weeks?

You're being a bit ridiculous here. You're saying you would rather bail on YOUR COUNTRY for the NHL? Where's the pride?

[reyno2ac 0]

If he would rather desert his team in the stretch for a chance at gold then the KHL can have him. How do you market a guy who runs out on his teammates for 2 1/2 weeks?

You're being a bit ridiculous here. You're saying you would rather bail on YOUR COUNTRY for the NHL? Where's the pride?

You can word it that way if you want to but I would think that his team feels more like "family" than just some people he skates around with.

You could just as easily say he's bailing on his FAMILY for the OLYMPICS...

[IniNew 53]

If he would rather desert his team in the stretch for a chance at gold then the KHL can have him. How do you market a guy who runs out on his teammates for 2 1/2 weeks?

You're being a bit ridiculous here. You're saying you would rather bail on YOUR COUNTRY for the NHL? Where's the pride?

You can word it that way if you want to but I would think that his team feels more like "family" than just some people he skates around with.

You could just as easily say he's bailing on his FAMILY for the OLYMPICS...

With the way players change teams, it's hardly a family. This is a business. I'm sure he has a few close friends on the Caps, but his actual family is... oh yeah... all in Russia?

[Chadd 916]

I appreciate a star player taking a stand on an issue that means something to him. If more players were willing to take a stand on something other than making more money, the game would be a lot better off.

That said, I don't think the Olympic breaks benefit the NHL at all and I would rather see teams made up of kids and retired players than NHL players. But at least this way, you can't really cheat the system.

[ts.krajewski 0]

Once you think about it the Olympics are ONCE every FOUR YEARS! I think if you really like Ovie and respect him like the NHL says they do, we should be proud that the players want to play for their countries. What if it were an American or Canadian? Wouldnt you want them to play for their country?

[chippa13 1844]

If he would rather desert his team in the stretch for a chance at gold then the KHL can have him. How do you market a guy who runs out on his teammates for 2 1/2 weeks?

You're being a bit ridiculous here. You're saying you would rather bail on YOUR COUNTRY for the NHL? Where's the pride?

National pride takes a backseat to the commitment that one makes to his teammates and organization when he puts pen to paper. Remember how pissed Penguins fans were when Mario was taking NHL games off so he could stay healthy for the Olympics? It is a selfish move to put your own thirst for a gold ahead of your NHL team.

As for someone else's question about having the Olympics being non-NHLers and the World Juniors; the World Juniors have the best players under 20, the Olympics would have the best players outside of the NHL. A different scenario.

[furlanitalia 1]

chippa13 brought up a good point, it would be nice to see a new wave of young stars playing. Granted I don't feel this eliminates the WJC, but seeing some hot AHL prospects with a couple junior players could make for some good games. I just don't feel it's right to make a player who is great at what he does have to choose between playing for his country once every four years and on a low level team the rest of the time, or playing in the NHL.

Although my thoughts are probably swayed because the earliest winter games I remember watching were Nagano, and seeing them win in 02 was amazing. So I only know olympics with NHL players, and while I know this would never fly, I think if a player chooses to play for his country he should be allowed, regardless of where he plays. Hockey players are passionate, and I would not be surprised if Ovy, Gino, and Kovy all played for Russian regardless. It just seems it's a lose lose either way.

[tro 4]

If Ovie and other NHLers want to go without consent from the NHL, fine. But they would be suspended, hell guys were suspended for skipping the all star game.

Ovie is not bigger than the league or the Caps. Ted loves Ovie, but at the end of the day he is a buisness man who pays an employee alot of money to be there each and every night.

Ovie's right, no one can tell him he can't play, but he will pay for it, whether he cares or not.

I want the nhl in the olympics, I want to see the best vs the best, however, 88(went to games) and 92 where just as exciting for me as the last 3 games(well maybe not as awesome as 02).

[chippa13 1844]

I appreciate a star player taking a stand on an issue that means something to him. If more players were willing to take a stand on something other than making more money, the game would be a lot better off.

That said, I don't think the Olympic breaks benefit the NHL at all and I would rather see teams made up of kids and retired players than NHL players. But at least this way, you can't really cheat the system.

You can't cheat the system but some lesser nations get cheated because they have to play games before their NHLers get there and in a couple of cases played prelim round games with short benches. There were a few NHLers who got overseas too late to play at all.

[Chadd 916]

I appreciate a star player taking a stand on an issue that means something to him. If more players were willing to take a stand on something other than making more money, the game would be a lot better off.

That said, I don't think the Olympic breaks benefit the NHL at all and I would rather see teams made up of kids and retired players than NHL players. But at least this way, you can't really cheat the system.

You can't cheat the system but some lesser nations get cheated because they have to play games before their NHLers get there and in a couple of cases played prelim round games with short benches. There were a few NHLers who got overseas too late to play at all.

Last time this came around I was in favor of the prelim rounds being played in the summer to prevent that problem. I'm still in favor of it.

[UMWhockey 0]

Ovie big thing is that the games are in Russia. So it would be like the NHL saying 4 years ago that they weren't going to allow their players to play in the upcoming games in Canada. How many players do you think would have complained about that?

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

Ovie big thing is that the games are in Russia. So it would be like the NHL saying 4 years ago that they weren't going to allow their players to play in the upcoming games in Canada. How many players do you think would have complained about that?

Thats the exact point i was about to bring up. What would Crosby do if he were told he was not allowed to play in the Olympics when he was finally able to, just after a cup winning season, and in his home country? Im not trying to make this a crosby/OV thread. Pick any young Canadian who was finally good enough to play. and now the NHL tells them no? Right after all the Russian players were allowed to play in the Olympics in their home nation? Id be furious. I think this has a lot to do with the Olympics being in Canada this year, and Russia the following. I can see the NHL taking part in Soci, but im not so sure about the next one.

[furlanitalia 1]

If they're going to get out of the olympics, they need to do it for 2018, or whatever the next year is that isn't announced yet. Because like RiSeOnFiRe said, backing out now would not bode well after just allowing the NHL players in Canada.

[matt 0]

I think you can't just take the opportunity away from athletes to compete in the Olympics.. For European players Olympic gold is probably the highest goal they can achieve in their whole life ( for euros it is probably even ranked higher than the Stanley cup )..

I thought Dominic Hasek once had this quote about winning the Stanley cup or Olympic gold.. He said that you have to play something like five years in the NHL before you start caring more about the Stanley cup as you would for the Olympics.. ( I am not sure if I quoted him right, but I couldn't find the quote back )

I am a European hockey player.. And the first thing we think about when we start playing hockey is... It would be cool to represent my country. After that comes competing in the Olympics with your country, and then comes winning the gold medal on the Olympics.. This is how we think and grow up.. Of course we know about the NHL.. and we follow the NHL, but it is at the other side of the ocean.. First we try to get on our national teams and the Olympics. In the US it is probably not all about getting on a national team, but more like getting to junior or university hockey and then make a jump to a professional hockey league ( and win the cup ).

However 2014 is still five years away.. I think by the time we get there, Ovechkin might just have changed his mind.. same thing that Dominic Hasek experienced ( this guy won both anyway ).. I mean why should we already make a problem of something that is still five years away ??

My personal opinion is : Why can't the NHL just stop for two weeks, and then continue after the Olympics ?? I mean the NHL is run like a company and the only thing they think of is making money.. We should be happy that those professional ( millionaires ) hockey players still take so much pride in competing for their countries ( whether they are from Europe or the US or Canada ). Athletes only get the change once every four years, and a maximum of three times in your life.. Why take away that great change for any athlete ??

I did not mean to offend anyone with this post.. I did not mean to say that the Olympic gold medal is beter then winning the Stanley cup. But this is probably how our culture differs from the US or Canadian culture. I hope it contributed to this discussion.

[chippa13 1844]

I appreciate a star player taking a stand on an issue that means something to him. If more players were willing to take a stand on something other than making more money, the game would be a lot better off.

That said, I don't think the Olympic breaks benefit the NHL at all and I would rather see teams made up of kids and retired players than NHL players. But at least this way, you can't really cheat the system.

You can't cheat the system but some lesser nations get cheated because they have to play games before their NHLers get there and in a couple of cases played prelim round games with short benches. There were a few NHLers who got overseas too late to play at all.

Last time this came around I was in favor of the prelim rounds being played in the summer to prevent that problem. I'm still in favor of it.

I like that if the NHLers are still going to go.

Matt, not offended in any way. I understand that Olympic gold is a huge deal for Euro players, it is for N.A. players, as well. However, shutting down the league for 2 1/2 weeks is not a good thing. It sucks the life out of the season and forces home team fans to find something else to fill those hours spent attending or watching their team in action. It also loses the fringe fans who find alternatives to the NHL and then forget to check back in when the Olympics end. The NHL is the only sports league in North America that has done this for a few Olympics and, with the exception of Salt Lake, has received zippo in terms of ratings and the like in their markets.

[dsjunior1388 81]

If the MLB never felt obligated to stop the season(before they removed baseball all together) to allow players to play in the Olympics , which were originally intended to be an amateur event anyway why should the NHL? As much as I love the NHL players wearing their countries colors, I think the idea has run it's course and it's time to go back to College and Junior players. It would give us a better look at future talent, and it would even the playing field. Plus there's added Joe Mullen style drama of whether a young draft pick will choose the NHL or the Olympics.