Alex Ovechkin concedes dream of playing in 2018 Olympics

[CapitalsCupReality]

How so?

2006, first season in the league scores 52 goals, 100 points, wins the Calder.

2010, another 50 goal, 100 point season, wins the Pearson, finishes second in Hart voting.

2014, another 50+ goal season, wins the Rocket.

See posts 43,44, and 45. The 2010 point in time is the most obvious for his career to me. I really believe had Russia won, we are at least a Cup Finalist.

 

[4thTierSport]

Just another example of the NHL diluting one of their strongest marketing assets.

 

[32hunter]

Actually kind of glad Ovechkin finally relented. Not because I don't want him to win a gold medal but because I don't think Russia with Ovechkin would even beat Canada's Z team. Russian coaching is horrific and I couldn't stand to see another humiliation for Ovechkin.

lol, wait till April.

 

[RandyHolt]

Angry Ovi!

:hattrick:
:hat:
:hattie:

The internets clearly needs a hat trick moji. A little dude chucking his hat. We have a dancing monkey but no hat toss; what is this, Bushwood? I am outraged.

This is the closest to a hat grab

 

[Urbanskog]

Personally, I'm with Herb Brooks on this. The Olympics should not be for pros.

That's an odd preference but okay. The players will still be professionals, just less talented. Unless you are implying that all players outside the NHL are amateurs, which would be very arrogant of you but frankly not surprising.

 

[Calicaps]

That's an odd preference but okay. The players will still be professionals, just less talented. Unless you are implying that all players outside the NHL are amateurs, which would be very arrogant of you but frankly not surprising.

Not at all. I didn't say anything about what WOULD be. Only what I think SHOULD be. No need to insult people for no reason.

 

[Urbanskog]

Not at all. I didn't say anything about what WOULD be. Only what I think SHOULD be. No need to insult people for no reason.

I'm not insulting, it's simply a common sentiment among NHL fans to disparage the players of other leagues.

 

[g00n]

I'm not insulting, it's simply a common sentiment among NHL fans to disparage the players of other leagues.

Yes you are insulting when you accuse people of being arrogant and disparaging of players in other leagues when you yourself say they're "less talented". Cali simply expressed a preference for amateurs, she didn't disparage international amateur or professionals any more than you did.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I see a West Side Story scene forming....you two with your switchblade combs circling.

 

[g00n]

I see a West Side Story scene forming....you two with your switchblade combs circling.

I had a switchblade comb when I was a kid. Thought it was so cool. Then a few years ago I bought a switchblade divot tool. It would open while in my pocket and stab me in the...golf balls. Not as cool as expected.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Doh....avid golfer, sounded cool until the balls part.

 

[Calicaps]

wow... that took an unexpected turn.

 

[Urbanskog]

Yes you are insulting when you accuse people of being arrogant and disparaging of players in other leagues when you yourself say they're "less talented". Cali simply expressed a preference for amateurs, she didn't disparage international amateur or professionals any more than you did.

Then it's an odd comment to make as excluding professional players has never been a remote possibility.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Then it's an odd comment to make as excluding professional players has never been a remote possibility.

If you’re not trying to stir a hornets nest you’re not using arrogant/frankly not surprising in your response. It was poorly worded, more so given you’re a guest and your audience.


On topic, I can’t wait to see how badly ratings for hockey drops in the Olympics.

 

[Calicaps]

Then it's an odd comment to make as excluding professional players has never been a remote possibility.

It used to be that amateur players (college kids, etc) only played for the U.S. in the Olympics. I am old enough to remember those days, and I preferred it to the all-star teams of more recent years. That's my personal opinion. Not sure why you think it's odd or arrogant.

 

[jsykes]

I can remember those days too and I cant say they were necessarily better. After all, many other countries were basically pro teams, just not "professional." The USSR had players whose job it was to play hockey. Sure they didnt get a paycheck to play, but they were paid to live by the state and played hockey all the time as their job for the state. Same with other eastern block countries.

So the entire thing of the Olympics being for amateurs was basically crap anyway, which is why it was all that much impressive in 1980. So the rules were changed.

I dont see it as an issue, as I'd rather see the best players from each country participate, whether pro or not. Each country should be able to field the best athletes they can in any sport. Its silly to have one of the worlds best sitting on the sideline because he's been paid to do it.

 

[Calicaps]

I can remember those days too and I cant say they were necessarily better. After all, many other countries were basically pro teams, just not "professional." The USSR had players whose job it was to play hockey. Sure they didnt get a paycheck to play, but they were paid to live by the state and played hockey all the time as their job for the state. Same with other eastern block countries.

So the entire thing of the Olympics being for amateurs was basically crap anyway, which is why it was all that much impressive in 1980. So the rules were changed.

I dont see it as an issue, as I'd rather see the best players from each country participate, whether pro or not. Each country should be able to field the best athletes they can in any sport. Its silly to have one of the worlds best sitting on the sideline because he's been paid to do it.

Fair enough. It's just a matter of personal preference.

 

[jsykes]

Sure is. Neither is right.

Its just near impossible to actually make sure they're truly amateurs these days when countries can pay for players to live and have them dedicate their entire lives to a sport, where western countries the amateurs are going to be college students and other people that do their sport in their spare time.

 

[Calicaps]

Sure is. Neither is right.

Its just near impossible to actually make sure they're truly amateurs these days when countries can pay for players to live and have them dedicate their entire lives to a sport, where western countries the amateurs are going to be college students and other people that do their sport in their spare time.

'Twas ever thus. But at least the outcome was in doubt sometimes.

 

[g00n]

Sure is. Neither is right.

Its just near impossible to actually make sure they're truly amateurs these days when countries can pay for players to live and have them dedicate their entire lives to a sport, where western countries the amateurs are going to be college students and other people that do their sport in their spare time.

Who cares? What's the difference anymore? Aren't people always complaining that college athletes today may as well be pros? National teams are funded pretty damn well compared to some rank amateur taking up donations to make the trip. Nobody expects that anymore.

The point is let the lower tier guys duke it out for their pride in their country rather than having to bribe a bunch of superstars into giving a shit. All this nitpicking about amateur/college/pro is missing the overall spirit of it.

 

[Devil Dancer]

The point is let the lower tier guys duke it out for their pride in their country rather than having to bribe a bunch of superstars into giving a ****. All this nitpicking about amateur/college/pro is missing the overall spirit of it.

Do you really think the stars don't care about the Olympics? That's an odd perspective. They play their hearts out every winter games. I don't think I've ever seen two teams more engaged than that USA-Canada final in Vancouver, and those were all NHLers.

 

[g00n]

Do you really think the stars don't care about the Olympics? That's an odd perspective. They play their hearts out every winter games. I don't think I've ever seen two teams more engaged than that USA-Canada final in Vancouver, and those were all NHLers.

I don't think they care as much as someone for whom it may be easily the greatest moment in their life, no. And I think this can be seen in other team sports more easily, particularly basketball.