Can MZA singlehandedly eliminate the Ruskies?

[jamsim67]

and wouldn't you be upset if say Kreider was at BC (a ranger draft pick) and he got hurt during the tournament? You can say that about any of these international tournes. Every year the non playoff team send players to play at the World Championships. Doesn't matter I guess since their NHL team's season is over

As in the case of Kreider, most college players do not go directly to the NHL from College. If they get hurt during the Olympics, they have time to heal.

 

[jamsim67]

The good part is that the Olympics buy him over a week before games start up again.

Someone else has to step up. Or maybe sombody different for each missed game.

 

[BigDaddyAl1973]

As in the case of Kreider, most college players do not go directly to the NHL from College. If they get hurt during the Olympics, they have time to heal.

Didnt brian leetch and tony granto go directly to the rangers from the olympic teams?

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[jamsim67]

Didnt brian leetch and tony granto go directly to the rangers from the olympic teams?

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Al, I said most college players. But okay, even if Brian Leetch and Tony Granato went directly to the NHL, how much were they expected to help? Now let's say Nash, he's a huge part of this Ranger team, and a player who is expected to help them win a cup. Now if during a 2 week Olympic break he gets hurt and is forced to miss significant time, what happens to the Rangers when they lose that fire power in a series against the Penguins? Who would be missed more, Nash or someone joining the team directly from College?

 

[BigDaddyAl1973]

The point is that although it in the best for the nhl teams..its in the best interest of the players who want to represent and for hockey as a sport. You can't not take the opportunity to grow the sport by not allowing the best athletes to play. Sure sucks for the Icelanders that by is hurt same with Vancouver with Kessler. But Olympics come once every four years and are generally less violent than a regular season game.

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[jamsim67]

I'm not trying to take anything away from anybody. If they want to go, they will go. Just giving my reasons on why I wish they wouldn't. That being said, I still watch and enjoy the games.

You don't think that underdog College players, playing well where they are expected to lose wouldn't be great for the sport? Its not like they're playing the Red Army (machine), who used to throttle NHL teams.

 

[NYR31]

your reasons are purely selfish, though.

 

[BigDaddyAl1973]

I'm not trying to take anything away from anybody. If they want to go, they will go. Just giving my reasons on why I wish they wouldn't. That being said, I still watch and enjoy the games.

You don't think that under dog College players playing well where they are expected to lose wouldn't be great for the sport? Its not like they're playing the Red Army (machine), who used to throttle NHL teams.

Would anyone care about Olympic hockey if it wasn't for the 1980 team? Did anyone care about the 84 team? I do think it brings the casual fan in and its then up to the NHL to expand on that and get more people to enjoy what many of us here believe to be one of the best sports on the planet

 

[jamsim67]

Lots of people would care, and would continue to care. USA doesn't have to win a gold in hockey every 4 years in order for hockey fans to tune in, they just have to be able to compete and I think that would be great for the sport. I like watching the NHL players in the Olympics, and will continue to watch if they are playing. But now I'd like to see the college players take on, and defeat the giant.

 

[jamsim67]

your reasons are purely selfish, though.

How so?

 

[NYR31]

b/c the reason you don't want the NHL in the Olympics is because you don't want members of your team getting hurt.

 

[NYR31]

if anything, i wouldn't want them playing in the World Cup of hockey, which is gimmicky like the World Baseball Classic.

 

[jamsim67]

I've also mentioned that I think it would be great to see the underdog College players take on, but also knock off the giants. The USA doesn't have to win a gold medal every 4 years, but when they do it would be great.

I may have mentioned Ranger players, but my argument against NHL players getting hurt was for all NHL teams. When I mention Rangers, it hits a little bit closer to home, since this is a Ranger board.

 

[BigDaddyAl1973]

Jas, i would agree only if other nations did the same. we don't need to be the angola of hockey

 

[jamsim67]

if anything, i wouldn't want them playing in the World Cup of hockey, which is gimmicky like the World Baseball Classic.

yeah the World Cup of hockey is a joke, I don't mind the NHL players going in that one.

 

[jamsim67]

Jas, i would agree only if other nations did the same. we don't need to be the angola of hockey

Well as for some of the other teams, we wouldn't be able to escape it entirely. We'd still have the KHL and some of the other professional leagues to worry about. But when they win it's a huge deal. But you're right, I don't want to see them getting their asses kicked either.

 

[jamsim67]

The women just pulled a major choke. Now they have to do it in extra time ... crazy

 

[mrmel29]

The women just pulled a major choke. Now they have to do it in extra time … crazy

US finishes their choking of a 2 goal lead with 4 minutes to play by losing the gold medal in OT. What a bunch of choking ponytails.