Vlasic could go to Pyeongchang even if the NHL isn't

[WatchfulElm]

Marc-Édouard Vlasic wrote a very interesting article in French on the Radio-Canada website. Here are some translated parts :

To say that I'm disappointed is not strong enough. In fact, I can't find a word to describe how much I find this unacceptable.

If nothing happens in the next few months and if NHL players don't go to Pyeongchang, I'll spend the rest of my career being frustrated and feeling hatred toward the NHL.

I'm waiting to see what will happen and what won't happen. How strong are the sanctions gonna be against the players who will decide to participate in the Olympics? Are they gonna be suspended?

I believe players have the upper end here. For example, think about the players who were at the World Cup. If 10 players among them say that they will go to Pyeongchang anyway, the NHL will have to reevaluate its position.

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[djpatm]

He's not even a lock to make the team?

 

[TeamRenzo]

I doubt the IOC or IIHF would let him play even the NHL doesnt agree to go to the Olympics.

 

[mouser]

I doubt the IOC or IIHF would let him play even the NHL doesnt agree to go to the Olympics.

On top of that, Hockey Canada and Hockey USA probably wouldn't invite any NHL players against the NHL's wishes even if the IIHF allowed it.

 

[thesensguy]

He's not even a lock to make the team?

Yes he absolutely is, Doughty and Keith are the only two better Canadian Defencemen.

 

[Steve]

He's not even a lock to make the team?

He would probably be their #4-5 behind Keith, Doughty, Burns and probably Weber.

 

[Jonas1235]

players don't get it unfortunately. If you want to play at the 2018 olympics, you better be a free agent sitting on your couch.

 

[SensNation613]

He's not even a lock to make the team?

He absolutely is.

 

[Ivan13]

He's not even a lock to make the team?

Best defensive D in the league isn't a lock? Stuff some people say.

 

[SLAYER]

He's not even a lock to make the team?

lolwut of course he is

 

[InfinityIggy]

It's beginning. As we get closer to the Olympics more players are going to speak up, and it's going to be a snowball effect.

 

[The Macho King]

If I'm the NHL, I say "okay - your contract is void and you're suspended indefinitely, pending unanimous approval by all GMs."

 

[HoseEmDown]

I just don't get this stance. The Olympics only started taking NHL players 20 years ago, the prior 60 or whatever was amateur players, it's not like it was always professionals and now they want to go to amateur. If you want to represent your country in the Olympics don't turn pro at 18, keep your eligibility and make the Olympic team then go pro. Professionals in the Olympics has ruined the Olympics, doping too but that's a different story, there's no more miracle on ice moments anymore. In basketball USA should win every year, in hockey Canada should too, is it even that special when you clearly have a better team than every other country?

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

Yes he absolutely is, Doughty and Keith are the only two better Canadian Defencemen.

Damn, it is downright hilarious how far Sens fans will go to discredit this year's Norris Trophy winner.

 

[lawrence]

......

Out scored by 18 defencemens from Canada.

That said Canada can use him if he does decide to go against the wishes of the NHL. Ovechkin is doing it.

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

Oh Pickles....

 

[SjMilhouse]

Regardless of his opinion, it's scary how many people vastly undervalue Vlasic who is arguably the best shutdown D in the league. There is no way Canada wouldn't take him

 

[TheSituation]

......

Out scored by 18 defencemens from Canada.

That said Canada can use him if he does decide to go against the wishes of the NHL. Ovechkin is doing it.

He's probably the best defensive defenseman in the league.

 

[Burke the Legend]

Professionals in the Olympics has ruined the Olympics

The Olympics were ruined from the beginning. The "amateur" rule was always a fraud, it was made by aristocrats to keep working class people out. Then after WW2 communist countries who don't pay athletes kept it in place so they would have less competition from free market countries.

The NHL shouldn't associate itself with such a grubby bunch of scoundrels and it is right to promote a World Cup instead so revenues stay in hockey and not going to international thieves in Switzerland.

 

[Romang67]

If I'm the NHL, I say "okay - your contract is void and you're suspended indefinitely, pending unanimous approval by all GMs."

Sorry, misinterpreted this. Still, do you really think the league wants to get rid of some of their best players?

 

[YEM]

It's beginning. As we get closer to the Olympics more players are going to speak up, and it's going to be a snowball effect.

agreed
I imagine most players feel the same way

 

[Quid Pro Clowe]

......

Out scored by 18 defencemens from Canada.

That said Canada can use him if he does decide to go against the wishes of the NHL. Ovechkin is doing it.

Scoring ain't his game, stopping it is. Just ask Toffoli, Forsberg, Tarasenko, Crosby and McDavid.

 

[Laveuglette]

If I'm the NHL, I say "okay - your contract is void and you're suspended indefinitely, pending unanimous approval by all GMs."

Thankfully, you are not the NHL

 

[The Macho King]

Thankfully, you are not the NHL

It's moot anyway. Two things would need to happen. Hockey Canada would have to let him play, and the NHL would have to let it happen.

I also expect the NHL's punishment for going will be severe, and will probably cost a team that allows it a lot as well (either in owner fines or forfeited draft picks).

 

[SotasicA]

I just don't get this stance. The Olympics only started taking NHL players 20 years ago, the prior 60 or whatever was amateur players, it's not like it was always professionals and now they want to go to amateur. If you want to represent your country in the Olympics don't turn pro at 18, keep your eligibility and make the Olympic team then go pro. Professionals in the Olympics has ruined the Olympics, doping too but that's a different story, there's no more miracle on ice moments anymore. In basketball USA should win every year, in hockey Canada should too, is it even that special when you clearly have a better team than every other country?

This post

Nowadays without the Soviet Union, international tournaments are void of passion and political tension. It's just a bunch of NHLers and buddies playing each other.

I grew up watching the Canada Cups. That was awesome. Full arenas, best players.

I think international hockey peaked in the late 70s to early 90s era. Nowadays you could have the Olympics be a better tournament if you'd limit it to WJC players.

And if you're gonna have a best-on-best tournament, please not the Olympics. The worst and most despicable organisation in sports. The World Cup is not ideal, but hopefully it's enough to kill the NHLers at the Olympics thingy.