The Iconoclast said:
I think YOU have missed the whole point. If push comes to shove the NHL will be in Vancouver, whether they participate in Italy or not. The NHL players will not be a big thing in Italy, but would be a massive shortcoming in Vancouver. Hockey won't be the main sport in Italy, but will be in Canada. The IOC will do everything in their power to get the NHL players in Vancouver, even if they don't have them in Italy. They would be setting up the Vancouver olympics for a big let down without them. If push comes to shove I'm sure that the host city will have a lot to say in who participates. They put up all the money, they are lining the IOC's pockets, and they will have some serious input. You're kidding yourself if you think that the NHL will not be in Vancouver. Its for the IOC's benefit more than the NHL.
I'm kidding myself .. !!!!
This is what the president of the IOC stated .. You got a problem with it take up with him ..
You some how have twisted this into thinking the Host city will not be effected if it happens in Italy that NHLers do not go .. This is world event and broadcast worldwide .. So fans would want to see NHLers in both events if possible but the lockout complicates things a lot.
The host city bids on the right to host the Olympics they have no say in which athletes will attend .. Olympic athletes have to qualify for most sports to make their teams is some big name stars do no qualify then too bad.. Vancouver does not have a say in changing the rules for profit reasons. I do not see any difference in making demands for hockey.
NHlers in the Olympics is a new thing anyway .. In general the Olympics have for generations been considered amateur athletes events .. The 1980 US Olympic team that won in Lake Placid was made entirely of US College amateurs and the ratings went through the roof when they won Gold.
If the IOC says that NHLers will not attendance even though of course they would like them there put I also see their point .. The NHL can't pick and choose and regardless the NHL does not profit one way or another financially regardless which country they are in other then generating fan interest in the sport ..
So bottom line then .. In the best interest in see the best hockey players in the world in the 2006 Olympics then the lockout needs to continue otherwise NHLers will not be there.
For those who watched the World Championships a team like Russia has all but given Olympic roster spots to Ovechkin and Malkin .. You give that some thought and that means that fans should not expect either in the NHL should it start up in the fall, if NHLers are not going to be there .. That means some Euro Players will delay their NHL arrival after the Olympics are over ..