Rather see the best players in the world ... Imagine if every sports couldn't take their best athletes? Olympics wouldn't be Olympics so why is it OK for hockey to send 2-3rd tier players?
And by the way I'm in training for the summer's Olympics. I don't receive any money and have to look for my own sponsorship and yet I'm still proud to represent my country.
Athletes are paid if they win a medal. (or where you rank) If my employers were to ask for any money in order to let me go to the Olympics, I would tell them to go **** themselves.
Why should the NHL be paid to send players? Tell every NHL players they won't be paid if they go (for the 3 weeks or so they'll be in South Korea) and I assure you they'll all accept it. The NHL is refusing per greed, they don't care about the league stoppage, or the fans they only care about the $$$.
Are you under a contractual obligation that is a 100% guaranteed contract to a sports league? These players are. The players also were given a reasonable solution toward going, the owners wanted a 2 year extension on the CBA for continued participation in the Olympics. The players association turned it down. In the future if the players want the right to go to international competition, since they obviously want to renegotiate the CBA need to make it a part of the new CBA that each player is allowed to put or not put a international competition clause in their contract. I have spoken about this before that it could be worded around a way that if a player opts in for international competition then he can go, but he 100% pays or arranges for his own travel, accommodations, and insurance. And if said player is hurt then his contract in the league is frozen without pay or hits insurance for the team or league. And won't get a cent of any pay or bonus via the NHL until his skates hit the ice again for a game and their salary will be completely pro rated to the day they can play again. Also no league freeze, there will not be a Olympic break the owners and NHL hate it to their core.
This will incentivize going to the competition and make it a negotiating point. Players who are stars but do not view international competition as a priority won't opt for it and use it as a point to get higher salary or longer term, those that view it as a priority can take a hit in term or salary to have their opt in. Other players whether they are not in that top end talent or are depth players can opt out and maximize their value by opting out of it outright. I know personally if I were of that level of a star player, I would completely opt out of international competition and maximize my guaranteed pro money to its maximum degree. Others, would choose different. Is it perfect? Far from it. But it is better than the option there is now. It is a healthy compromise for both sides to get what they want. The stars that want to play for their country can play for their countries if it is what they so choose, but it will be a negotiated portion of their contract. And those that do not, can choose not too and maximize their value.
Its a win - win.