By: muddapucker

muddapucker — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:34:57 +0000

To me, you’re either in it or you’re out of it…
You can’t be in it in Vancouver and out of it in Sochi.
The NHL is no longer strictly a North American league, at least in terms of it’s player base. The NHL is facing increasing competition from other league’s for players.
Let the NHL refuse to allow European players play in Olympic competition and see what happens… I think long term it will adversely effect the NHL.
I think that the NHL should “shut it down for those two weeks” and schedule a few exhibition games around North America for each team while they wait for their stars to return. Kind of a goodwill tour. It would keep their team in shape and bring them closer to the fans. I am talking their Minor League affiliates, 5-7 thousand seat arenas etc. Locations that would not normally see NHL teams.
I suspect the CBA would probably prohibit it, but really it would keep the players in shape, promote good will and allow the stars to play in the Olympics.
It could be a marketing bonanza. They could make a positive out of a negative.

By: Gooven

Gooven — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:11:15 +0000

I foresee a lot of *sniff sniff* sick days and mysterious injuries, if the NHL insists on not letting players go.

Comments on: Ambassador Ovechkin To Trumpet the Olympics in His Home Country

By: muddapucker

By: Gooven