Running up to the Olympics there was the whole Tocchet Gambling thing. The biggest concern to Bettman and the NHL as a whole was that Hockey was bet on, inside info was provided to set the line and games were intentionally compromised on the ice.
The integrity of the league was on trial and had there been proof that any of the above actually occured - most specifically that games on the ice were intentionally compromised - the speculation was that the league would not be able to recover from the fall out for a very very long time and may even be relegated to a fringe sport in the same light that boxing is.
Now in this case, IF Sweden actually tanked a game on purpose (personal opinions aside) then what is the difference from what is described above and widely considered the worst possible scenario for a sport/league and Sweden throwing the game? Outside the obvious gambling connection that is.
Fixing games - which is essentially what this boils down to - is unacceptable at any level and in any sport.
Say what you will about the modern Olympics and the ever emerging argument that your not trying unless your cheating combined with the drive for corporate dollars, there are still a naive few that believe it is still about the spirit of competition and the drive for excellence. The notion of throwing a game on purpose flies in the face of those beliefs all together and simply further amplifies the argument of if the Olympics are an out dated idea all together.
In my mind, the best thing that could happen would be that proof is provided that Sweden did indeed throw the game and the IOC suspended the Swedish contingent from icing a mens hockey team at the next Olympic games. Not because I have a problem with Sweden or their hockey players but because I think the only way of eliminating such a thing from happening again would be to make the punishment more severe than the gain.
However, before I get jumped on for such a suggestion, I will say that I don't imagine anything will be "proven" and no message or punishment will be levied. Everything will go on as usual and the question (particularily if Sweden goes to the gold medal game) will linger at all future Olympics whenever an upset occurs.