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The Winter Olympics require a long commitment that interrupts the NHL season. I wouldn't be surprised if gate receipts were down during Olympic years.

In my opinion, the best solution would be to let the players decide.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 09:17 AM ET  06.07 by Home Theater Guy

In my opinion, the best solution would be to let the players decide

I couldn't agree more.

since we all know buttman doesn't make very good decisions.

If only they'd relocate the Winter Olympics to places such as Mexico City and Bogota, I think he'd consider it. What the NHL needs to survive is exposure in new markets like those, because putting NHL players on the ice in hockey meccas like Vancouver and Turin just won't do it.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 09:17 AM ET  06.07 by Home Theater Guy

The Winter Olympics require a long commitment that interrupts the NHL season. I wouldn't be surprised if gate receipts were down during Olympic years. In my opinion, the best solution would be to let the players decide.

They voted, and overwhelmingly the players voted to go. The 2014 Olympics are in Moscow and the Russian players like Ovie and Malkin really want to go.

Actually it's in Sochi, which is very far south in Russia. It's almost near South Ossetia.

But your point is well made.

I hope so... the Olympics used to be for amateurs... until the rest of the world caught up to us...

If they want the pros to play in the Olympics, put the sport in the summer Olympics. It makes no real sense except that it wouldn't break up the season at all. Don't take a two week break. Yes we all know playing for your country is a great thing, but you are professionals getting paid by this league so play it without taking a break. If they want to keep it in the winter Olympics have AHL players in it, so we can see the future stars of the NHL.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 11:34 AM ET  06.07 by Vilgrain

If they want the pros to play in the Olympics, put the sport in the summer Olympics. It makes no real sense except that it wouldn't break up the season at all. Don't take a two week break. Yes we all know playing for your country is a great thing, but you are professionals getting paid by this league so play it without taking a break. If they want to keep it in the winter Olympics have AHL players in it, so we can see the future stars of the NHL.

Have you seen Olympic hockey though? It is by far the most exciting hockey we'll see our players play. I really wish the NHL would expand the rink size but owners prolly don't want to lose a row or two of seats. =/ The extra ice really lets the play-makers shine.

Bad call. They should stay in the Olympics. It's not like they sneak up on the NHL: build a 2- or 3-week break into the schedule and cancel the stupid All-Star Game.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 12:09 PM ET  06.07 by piratey

Have you seen Olympic hockey though? It is by far the most exciting hockey we'll see our players play. I really wish the NHL would expand the rink size but owners prolly don't want to lose a row or two of seats. =/ The extra ice really lets the play-makers shine.

Yes, it does. It gives more room to let bigger, faster players move and demonstrate their skill. The NHL should've adopted the bigger ice surface a decade ago when all the fancy new arenas were being built.

the players (in polls) have voted overwhelming of allowing the olympics. This year its in Canada so its great, the buzz will be huge. Next olympics will be in russia, another hockey hotbed, the men`s event will be the big draw of the games (figure skating too)....

anyway, I think having it in the games is great visibility for the product and all the fans love having a major competition every 4 years. You can`t have the winter games without ice hockey, and without the nhl you go back to what we had before, men from russia playing against boys in canada!

but when the winter games are in a non-traditionnal hockey market (italy) and they are forced to play in a stadium the size of a junior rink it certainly blows.

considering they stop the season for a week to put on what has become an embarrassing version of an all-star game (in my opinion), to stop it for two weeks to showcase some of the best international hockey anyone will see sounds like a smart move.... viewership for the olympics kills the nhl's ratings and showcasing the talent that plays in the nhl while on the world stage can only help.... for someone that is so about expanding the viewership of the nhl buttman has a funny way of showing it.... what sounds more appealing, the worlds best hockey players playing an allstar game of shinny at half speed or the best giving everything they have to give there country the right to be called world best hockey nation.

Leave it to the amateurs.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 03:14 PM ET  06.07 by ORANGE AND BLACK

Leave it to the amateurs.

yeah the usa is ****

The NHL needs anything to boost their relevance on the major sports agenda. Anything !!! Probably the first move would to give Gary B. his notice !!!

It's a two week break every four years, and the players want to keep playing in the Olympics. No way the league doesn't stay involved.

If Bettman wasn't a total moron, he would also realize that Olympic hockey is an excellent, high-profile exhibition of the sport, which only helps his league.

At any rate, the players will make themselves heard, and I simply don't see a scenario where NHL players are no longer in the Olympics. Hell, you'll probably see big name players simply get up and leave their teams to participate - much like some pro soccer players do, when they are refused permission by their clubs.

- Scott

A sophmore marketing major could tell you the NHL has weak exposure at best. The NHL benefits from the hype of the Olympics and gives worldwide exposure to the games most elite players from various NHL teams.

Look at the MESS the NHL is....
(1)NO legit TV deal
(2)Teams in TERRIBLE markets: Phoenix, Florida, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Columbus, Nashville
(3)Revenue is down AGAIN so cap is being rolled back
(4)You still have renegade teams ruining it for others
(5)NHL isnt a well advertised sport

Now you want to take away a media frenzied event?????

QUOTE(#20):

Originally posted 09:19 PM ET  06.07 by BauerStar33

(...) Now you want to take away a media frenzied event?????

Of course. The poison dwarf doesn't control Olympic hockey and it ticks him off, big time, so he wants out. Let the players vote? Never! These guys don't know what works for the game. Only the poison dwarf does.