Do you watch Olympic hockey? Should NHL players be allowed to participate in the Olympics? Would amateurs make the games more interesting? If you are a player, do you abandon your team in the middle of the season to play for your country? If you were an owner, would you allow your player to leave?
http://www.tsn.ca/talent/hockey-at-pyeonchang-olympics-will-be-marred-without-nhlers-1.714350
Olympic hockey is usually a fun winter sport to watch. The US, or any other country for that matter, doesn't dominate the competition in a way that makes watching less fun. This is unlike Olympic basketball in which the US men's team obliterates the competition every year. The main reason why the US basketball team is so successful, though, is because players from the NBA can participate.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly, in order for the US hockey team to be successful, NHL players have to participate in the Olympic games. Including the NHL players in the Olympics will not only makes the games more competitive, but it will encourage US fans to cheer on their favorite players. This would motivate more people to watch the Olympics and make more money as a result. If I were in charge of the NFL, it would be an obvious decision to allow NHL players to play in the Olympics. However, this didn't happen and now players would have to abandon their teams in the middle of the season to go play in the Olympics. This creates a tough decision for the players to either be faithful to their NHL teams, or take the opportunity to play in front of the whole world. If I were a player or a coach I would want to take this opportunity, because by the time of the next Olympics you might be injured or unable to play.
I think that during the winter olympics, olympic hockey is one of the most watched olympic sports, competing with snowboarding and figure skating. The classic Miracle on Ice, Russia versus the United States was one of the most rememberable hockey games in existence, let alone olympic game. I think that it is outrageous that NHL players will not be able to compete in this up incoming Olympic games due to the help the NHL players receive from the organization would make them too dominate in the games. I think that if in the NBA, if LeBron James, James Harden, Kobe Bryant... were all allowed to play in the basketball tournament in the Olympic games last year, why not allow NHL players be a part of this experience too? In the article, it stated that "It is very unfortunate for the game, the players and millions of loyal hockey fans.” Not only are the players missing out the opportunity of a lifetime competing at the Olympics, they are being regulated for their skill and excellence of hockey. I think that these amateurs will not make the game more interesting and people who do not follow hockey habitually would watch for the big name stars, which will not be able to play. I think that Alex Ovechkin should be allowed to temporarily leave the Capitals to play for Russia because he wants to progress the game of hockey, and the fans will be more loyal of watching their star play in the games. I would not say it is abandoning their teammates, but a quick leave of absence because they are not asking to be traded, just wanting to compete for their country like they have for the last 20 years. The NHL should allow the all-star break or a break in the season to allow the players to represent their country in the olympics.
ReplyDeleteI try to watch the olympic hockey because i enjoy watching hockey. I do not think players should be allowed to participate if they have to abandon their teams in the middle of the season to play. I belive that the regular season, and postseason means more than a world title. That is because the good canadien players and players from different counteries are also playing in the league at the same time. I am not positive if this is the rule for the olympics though. I just believe that if a player is not leaving mid season to play they should be allowed to play in the olympics. Our greatest hockey win ever was with college kids versus russia, this win was made into the film miracle. I think ameteurs would make it more interesting in the fact that these kids are playing at a top hockey level at a young age. If they do well than it is impressive but there is a big chance for them to do poorly against great talent. Owners should allow players to play if it does not interfere with the season, or the postseason.
ReplyDeleteAs Matt said above, I've always appreciated the competitiveness in Olympic hockey, with the US, Canada, and Russia always being prime contenders, along with other wild cards such as Sweden and Finland. Throughout my lifetime of being a hockey fan, the Olympics have always involved NHL players. However, as an NHL fan, the Olympics absolutely kill the momentum of the sport. The schedule is heavily modified, with several long breaks followed by several compact stretches of games. There is no All-Star Game, the sport takes 2 weeks off, and the Olympics does not acknowledge the NHL at all. Because of this, I feel that players should not be allowed to participate in the Olympics. Playing with an entirely new team in a faster, higher-stakes tournament, there's a higher risk for injury, while NHL team chemistry is destroyed. Additionally, the NHL attracts very few new die-hard fans in the Olympics; most who become interested have not followed through long-term. There is not enough action or excitement with a 2-week tournament, with strangely timed games, to grow the NHL as a league. Overall, while the Olympics may hurt from the move, the NHL will benefit as players remain healthy and the season stays on pace, with an All-Star Break to capitalize on income. Finally, many people appreciate the amateur aspect of the Olympics, which has recently grown nearly non-existent. Many people would appreciate watching little-known players get their shot at a gold medal. The Miracle on Ice was so miraculous because the team was comprised of unknown college kids, and this mystery surrounding the team adds to the overall thrill factor in my opinion. As an owner, I would not allow my player to leave because of the issues listed above. As a player, I represent my country and city on the ice for my team, a team that pays me millions of dollars a year and honors the country many times a night with events such as national anthems. While this may not be the same for non-North American players, they are still paid an exorbitant amount of money to play a game, and should honor that commitment accordingly.
ReplyDeleteIn comparison to the other three major sports in the United States, hockey is considered a fringe sport. While it obviously has a rabid following, the NHL is barely in the conversation when it comes to ratings—which translate to revenue. Consider that the first round of this year's NHL playoffs averaged around 726,000 viewers across NBC channels, about 20-40 million less than both the MLB and NFL playoffs in 2016. The fact is, the National Hockey League cannot afford to make unpopular decisions. The Olympics provide a global stage that presents hockey as its marquee winter event, which ultimately helps to grow the game itself. Without a doubt—for the good of the sport in America and around the globe—players should be allowed to participate in the Olympics. People do not watch often enough anyway, so taking the world's biggest stars such as Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin out of the games does not make the games more interesting. As an individual, it is entirely a player's decision. I completely respect a player valuing his country above all else, even if it comes at the expense of his regular team. For some, playing for Russia, Canada, or Sweden means much more than an NHL logo, and if that is a choice the player wants to make, there should be nothing stopping him. From a management standpoint, there is really little a team can do. If the player is willing to go without pay, they have little to no power over the situation.
ReplyDeleteI watch Olympic hockey because I find it far more exciting to watch than the NHL games and I like feeling patriotic for my country in the games. NHL players should be able to participate in the Olympics because it keeps the games action packed and it is a great series of games to see with the best players from around the world. I do not think that have only amateurs play would make it more interesting because seeing the best from each country is fun to watch. If I were a player offered to represent my country in the winter olympics, I would abandon my league to play. Most of the top stars in the U.S. go to the winter games, so the league will be balanced, if all the best players leave for a period of time. However, if I was an NHL team owner I would feel differently, due to great players leaving mid-season. Also, the potential risk of injury would make me want to keep my players home.
ReplyDeleteI think hockey is one of the best sports in the Olympics. I defiantly think that NHL players should be allowed to go to the Olympics. Playing for your country is a once in a life time chance, and having the NHL not let players go is very controversial. Representing your country should be your choice and not someone else's. If I was a player and had the skill to be on the Olympic team I would defiantly leave my team for 3 weeks and represent my country. I would do the same thing If I was an owner. I would let the players go to the Olympics. At the Olympics we want to see "hockey’s best and brightest stars will not get to shine on the world’s largest athletic platform." I believe NHL needs to lift this ban and let NHL players play in the Olympics.
ReplyDeleteI have never watched Olympic hockey before but I think it would be really interesting to see a combination of varieties of players, including amateurs from many different countries. I think NHL players should be allowed to participate because it is a once in a life time experience that would provide a different setting for players. If I was in that position I wouldn't abandon my team necessarily, but would fight to work out a situation in taking time to play for my country. Also as a team owner I would understand all the players who wanted to take advantage of this opportunity and allow them.
ReplyDeleteHockey without a doubt is a sport that needs to continue to grow. Although it has a very strong fanbase in the sense that almost all the fans are insanely passionate, unlike any other sport, they still have a relatively small fanbase. Amateurs would surely not make the game more interesting. Every time Russia plays the US or the US plays Canada or even Sweden people from their respective countries watch the games because they are huge rivalry games. Olympic hockey in my opinion is honestly the most exciting winter Olympic sport. Players should not have to give up their right to play in the Olympics. In addition it actually benefits the NHL greatly to have the players in the Olympics. If the Olympics produces exciting hockey then it gets more people to watch the game and it makes the fanbase larger. In the end this would come back to help the NHL because these people might start to watch the NHL and increase revenue for them. As a player it is completely understandable to play for your country over your "club". As a player if I was offered to play on the US under 21 national team as opposed to the top Junior team I would 100% take the opportunity to play for my country. From a management standpoint I think it is important to respect the decisions of your top players because they are ultimately the ones making you all your money. If I were an owner I would let my players go to the Olympics because they have earned their right to go represent their country.
ReplyDeleteI watch hockey in the Olympics for the past 3 Olympics and it is my favorite event to watch because I am a big NHL fan so watching the best players in the NHL compete for team USA is always exciting. When the USA plays teams like Canada, it is always fun because even though, Canada is a heavy favorite, it was fun to watch the USA beat Canada in 2010 in the preliminary round. I think that the NHL players should compete in the Olympics because it is so much more exciting for fans of hockey and the NHL to see one of the best rivalries in sports, USA vs Canada. Although junior league hockey and the college hockey players are always fun to watch, I think that it will be not as fun to watch with Russia and the KHL letting players compete such as Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsuk. NHL players like Alex Ovechkin, are leaving their team anyway to play for their country which is good so there will be more competition. If I were an NHL player, I would go to the Olympics because it is an honor to be chosen to represent your country and it happens every 4 years so it might be the only opportunity to go. Also, I I were the owner, I would have to let my players go because they are most likely the best player(s) on the team, so I would have to give in to his request. As well as that, they earned representing their country so it shouldn't be taken away from them.
ReplyDeleteI do not watch olympic hockey but I will try to in the future. Although, I believe NHL players should be allowed to participate in the olympics. It is their right to fight for their country and there is no stronger cause in a sport than to put on your countries colors. Price called the Olympics “one of the best experiences of my life.” And that experience would be taken away from countless players because of the NHL’s rules. Amateurs wouldn’t make the Olympics more exciting. Even though the miracle on ice happened, it would be more interesting to see world class players playing against each other. If I was a player I would abandon my team to play for my country. Like the article said Ovechkin is going to leave his team to play for his country no matter what anyone says. He has patriotism for his country and wants to win the olympics. If I was an owner though I would allow only a select few to leave because I would want to be able to field a team that could still win against a weakened opponent and keep some of my stars happy along the way.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch Olympic hockey but I definitely think that NHL players should be allowed to participate in the Olympics. Representing your country is a right that all athletes should be able to have if they have the qualifications to do so and for them to not be able to is unfair. I don't think amateurs would make games more interesting as those teams would be dominated by other more professional teams. I don't think its necessarily abandoning your team if you leave to participate in the Olympics, and as an owner while you may be concerned about injury or exhaustion, I still think its unfair to not let players participate.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch much NHL, but I do watch olympic hockey. It's such an amazing tournament that involves pride, honor and thrill. NHL players should fully be allowed to participate in the world olympics; the organization doesn't have the right to tell the players not to. All players should be entitled to playing olympic hockey, as it is for pride and is everyone's dream. I can see how the NHL would be concerned about injuries, less games or inconvenience, but there are simple solutions to them. Amateurs would ruin the olympics, as seen in the olympics for soccer. Fans aren't intrigued in random players that are young. Taking the best players in the world from all leagues is the only way for the olympics to be a success. If I was in a players position, I'd definitely bail on the NHL season and go to the olympics. But since it'd cause many complications, the NHL should recognize it and allow them to go by reshaping the season. This scenario would be detrimental to the NHL and the organization wouldn't be able to function properly. In terms of being an owner, they should unquestionably allow their players to play. Doing otherwise would create too much tension, and its not the front office's decision to make. The players play the sport as a passion and want to represent their country. If the NHL decides to not allow the players to go, there will be many issues.
ReplyDeleteI watch hockey on occasion, but not enough to really call me a fan. if Olympic hockey is on I might tune in depending on the stakes of the game. Regardless of how much I support hockey, I believe that athletes should be able to participate in the Olympics of they wish to do so, and the NHL can be paused for the time being. It's not fair to deny players the opportunity to represent their home nations, and it would devastate the US team particularly as most US players play in the NHL. I don't think players should have any regrets or guilt about playing for their national team. However, it is only fair that if a player gets injured while on the national team, that the team doesn't have to pay the salary of the player while injured. This way, both sides can be content with their decisions and neither side is hurt too severely by the other's decision.
ReplyDeleteI do watch hockey sometimes but I wish I watched and followed more than I do because I think it is so interesting and fun to watch. I do watch Olympic hockey when it is time because it's cool to see the greatest players compete for one another countries. No matter how much hockey I actually watch, I do think that the players should be able to play for their country and have time off for it. Just because they are in the NHL doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed to represent their country in the olympics. If I were a player, I would 100% take the time off of NHL for the olympics, regardless if it was given or not. Representing your country is the highest honor and once in a lifetime opportunity for some players so I would take that in a second.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch much NHL, but have gotten much more interested in it recently. Miracle is one of my favorite movies of all time and it was based on the USA olympic hockey team in 1980. The team was made up of college players that had not been drafted to the NHL yet. I believe that it should be that way. It is very interesting to see a young group of non professional players take the ice together and the victory in 1980 made it even more significant. I know it will never go back to the way it was but it was a very exciting time in America.
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