I agree that not allowing players to take part in the Olympics (without losing salary at least) is a bad move. The NHL needs all the press it can get.

I also completely agree about contraction. No league wants to do it, but it seems painfully obvious. Only about a quarter of the league really generates significant revenue, and at least another quarter is a constant drain on league finances. The NHL simply doesn't have the market share to keep all those struggling teams afloat.

Best time was when college kids were playing. Nothing will ever beat USA-Russia in '80. Who wants to watch players from the Wings playing against their teammates? Its just not the same.

Mitchrapp said:

Best time was when college kids were playing. Nothing will ever beat USA-Russia in '80. Who wants to watch players from the Wings playing against their teammates? Its just not the same.

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I disagree in that quality games are always more entertaining. USA-Russia in '80 was the best not because it was the best played game of all time, but because of all the social, political, and cultural layers that were part of it. Play that same game today with the same players, and the only story is how the underdogs won - it's not the Miracle on Ice that lasts forever.

The Olympics nowadays is like watching a tournament of all-star teams. Except, unlike the actual all-star game, the outcome matters and the players are trying their hardest. That's hockey at its best. The best players working together against equally elite opponents. Watching the Olympics without pros is like watching college hockey. Some of those games can be pretty good, but their is a painful awareness of how much slower and unskilled the majority of the players are. There are already World Junior Championships, and nobody watches them.

That's what I meant, the whole experience. It was big bad Russia, who had pro players. I'm not comparing it to an All Star game when the players don't care, I'm comparing it to an NHL game, where we see it every day for 6 months. This is no different.

And I'm not saying have college players now, it'd be just awful.

everyoneneedsasmil said:

The Olympics nowadays is like watching a tournament of all-star teams. Except, unlike the actual all-star game, the outcome matters and the players are trying their hardest. That's hockey at its best. The best players working together against equally elite opponents. Watching the Olympics without pros is like watching college hockey. Some of those games can be pretty good, but their is a painful awareness of how much slower and unskilled the majority of the players are. There are already World Junior Championships, and nobody watches them.

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This is essentially the same reason i think the NHL should contract. I agree that money plays a part in it but also i think the quality of play would increase greatly. If you take away 2-3 teams you would add that much more elite talent to every team making the game much more exciting.

I also enjoy watching college hockey as well but its a completely different game. There is an obvious lower level of skill and the game just isnt as fast. I think it would take away from the Olympics to know there are much better players out there that just arnt playing, it would take away some of the meaning to me at least.