Iron Crotch

Yeah, I watch most games online but can't watch NHL Network games. With DirecTV I'd have to upgrade to the next package (about $10 per month more) to see the few games shown exclusively on NHL Network. I can cost justify it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BPbjC47GwM

Aw crap. That means there likely won't be a GameCenter Live feed. Argh.

What revenue are the owners directly making from Olympic games played in Russia? (none) What are they making while their arenas sit empty for 3 weeks while their investments play elsehwere? (none) What cut of merchandizing do they get when someone buys a Kane or Miller USA jersey? (none) Where is the evidence that ticket revenues or viewership will jump post-Olympics due to the these guys playing in Sochi? (there isn't any) Many on this board are focusing almost exclusively on salary risk. That isn't the main consideration. The greater risk is of injury to a key player if it damages their playoff hopes and (worst case scenario) their legitimate Cup shot. Owners make roughly $1 million per playoff game. No Tavares = no playoffs for the Isles = no playoff revenue (although the Isles probably weren't going to get there anyway). The players like the Olympics so that is why they are there (e.g. they were afraid of guys like Ovi going to the KHL if they didn't allow them to play in these Olympics). And, I'm sure there are political considerations with NBC owning both NHL and Olympic coverage. But, the owners don't benefit from their players going to the Olympics. The player and the fans are the ones who benefit. A World Cup played in NHL arenas does benefit the owners. They get direct income from these games.

The Isles and Rangers each lost their leading scorer in the Olympics. There is a huge amount of risk in sending your star players overseas and exposing them to injury in a non-NHL game. Had a serious Cup contender lost one of their best guys (Toews, Getzlaf, etc.) it'd be major news. And, if our team didn't suck and we lost a top guy, we'd be pissed. Personally, I think the negative effect of stopping the season for two weeks during the playoff chase is more damaging than the positive "game growing" effect of a few International games at 7am on NBCSN. I get that fans want to see the best of each country face off against one another, but if I'm an owner I'm saying "no, thank you!"

Yep. It is easy for fans to say they want to watch NHLers in the Olympics, but it is the owners who bear all of the risk and none of the reward. It just doesn't make sense to risk losing top players for a relatively meaningless tournament that falls right in the middle of the playoff race. Send top prospects. The U-23 idea seems good to me. I think most people would still watch.

Trade him for a forward. :flirt:

For a minute there I thought you were in prison!

I don't think any country has 6 defensemen that are anywhere close to the group of Shea Weber, Doughty, Keith, Pietrangelo, and company. So, I'm not surprised the Canadians shut down the U.S. offense. But, there are only 4 Finnish NHL defensemen (Risto would be #5). So for them to shut down our offense completely is troubling. I think Rask had a lot to do with that though.

Well, I do empirical work too. :D

Interesting last sentence. ...If the board only knew what I do for a living. :P

...but no other NHL team would allow him to go, so switching NHL teams wouldn't make a difference. And, he is free to go to the KHL right now should he decide to. I doubt guys would pass up a chance to play in the world's top league for a 2 week tournament played every 4 years. But, if it is that important to them then so be it. That's their choice. On the flip side, I could see teams writing Olympic clauses into future contracts should NHLers continue to go. Tavares getting hurt in a non-NHL game is an absolute killer for a team like the Isles.

IMHO, you keep the normal NHL season and teams have the choice of sending guys or not sending guys. I think teams might send their top prospects - for example the Sabres would allow AHL guys like Risto to play - but NHL guys like Girgs would almost certainly not be allowed to go.

That's the whole point. The Isles lose Tavares for the season and have to pay him. No way teams can keep allowing their best players to be exposed to injury for a couple of weeks every 4 years. Plus, stopping the season for two weeks in the middle of the playoff race is awkward.

This has to be the last Olympics for NHLers. Too many injuries (Tavares especially) that the league just can't justify given the salaries these guys are making.

:blink: Going out with a whimper.

Game, set, match. Bronze to the Finns. :censored:

I keep thinking Miller's pending UFA status played into the decision to go with Quick over Miller this tournament.

2-0 Finns. We've had numerous chances, including 2 penalty shots but no one can score. It's like watching the Sabres!

I like all the penalty shots in International play. I wish the NHL would give more of 'em.

The Americans haven't scored a goal in a loooooooong time... it's like watching the Sabres. :P

As of yesterday, NBC has done 35 stories on an athlete's dead relative and counting. It really is ridiculous. The interview with Bode Miller where he was asked repeatedly about his dead brother was just wrong.

...speaking of advertising, anyone else noticing how overly dramatic most of the commercials are?

I think my main problem is every 4 years some network exec decides that Olympic prime time coverage needs to cater to a female demographic and hence the network decides to show hour after hour of figure skating coverage. All sorts of awesome sports that could get some coverage but we get skating night after night for almost two full weeks. Brutal.

NBC's ice dancing color commentator might be the most annoying person who ever lived.