[Fully-Bully]

In light of all the controversy facing our Flyers ( and the rest of the NHLPA ) as they try to represent their respective countries at the Winter Olympics; maybe it's time the NHL rethinks their involvement at the Olympics. It's easy to argue both the pros and cons of this issue. We love to see our guys perform at such an elite tournament. We do not want to see our guys come back injured or at the very least, completely exhausted. Here's an alternative :
I'm not too sure how big
THE WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS are here in the States. However it's a concensus in Canada, that it's some of the best hockey there is to watch, bar none ! Why not let these juniors ( OHL,QMJHL,WHL,College & University ) represent our countries and battle it out for the gold. It wouldn't disrupt the NHL sched every 4 years and it certainly wouldn't disrupt our ORANGE and BLACK when they have a legitimate shot at hoisting the cup !
I am very interested in hearing your opinions on this subject.

[Hextall_Fan88]

interesting suggestion Bully

but the undeniable fact that most of the guys in the NHL think winning the Olympic Gold is their highlight of their career tells us that they wouldn't part with their Olympics too quickly...

I wouldn't mind seeing that just because of the injuries and exhaustion that comes with playing for your country.

[dutch74]

I'd have to agree with you Fully... I think Olympic basketball has become a joke now. I don't like watching it because it's just like watching an all-star game... all scoring and no defense (coincidentally, that's why we got our butts handed to us last time around).

As for hockey, I'd prefer to see these young guys get a chance to represent instead the NHL pros. I realize there are a lot of foreign teams that would want their home grown talent to represent them so it produces a quandry. Basically, as it is, the NHL is too small scale to expect the world teams to give up their best players because they're a part of some North American league. Of course I'd rather see the boyz stay home and recover but there's serious pressure on them to represent.

[Fully-Bully]

Yeah, it's a real catch-22 . . . good points guys ! !

[TonyFatt]

Well, the Olympics are supposed to showcase the best athletes in the world. The best a country has to offer. Since most of the best hockey players play in the NHL, it just doesn't make sense to not allow them to play.

Although with the juniors, you'd still get some majorly kickass action.

[Fully-Bully]

Originally posted by TonyFatt
Well, the Olympics are supposed to showcase the best athletes in the world. The best a country has to offer. Since most of the best hockey players play in the NHL, it just doesn't make sense to not allow them to play.

Although with the juniors, you'd still get some majorly kickass action.

True enough . . . but I always thought the Olympics were more about amateurism.

[Fully-Bully]

With his buddy Naslund pulling out of the Olympics, have you guys heard if this is swaying Forsberg into doing the same ? ? Just curious . . .