Well if they want to risk being in breach of their NHL contract, being suspended or whatever, then that's their choice.

I don't know about you, but most of my employers would have fired me if I went AWOL to attend something of that nature.
- Doppleganger

They could retire.


Like Kovalchuk.

It'd become an issue in the next CBA if they fought over this with the NHLPA. It is possible that the players themselves don't even care though. Maybe they'd be ok with a World Cup type of thing instead. I have no clue.

Well if they want to risk being in breach of their NHL contract, being suspended or whatever, then that's their choice.

I don't know about you, but most of my employers would have fired me if I went AWOL to attend something of that nature.
- Doppleganger

When you're easily replaceable, that's the obvious solution.

When you're easily replaceable, that's the obvious solution.
- Feeling Glucky?

I'm not even taking a jab at anyone here but that's actually true. These days employers have lots of options for replacements.

NHL teams won't find it easy to replace star players though.

I think that the revenues generated with previous World Cups of hockey, benefited the NHLPA members. They get NOTHING from the Olympics.........so I know which I would choose to support.
- Doppleganger

There is more prestige attached to winning an Olympic gold medal though, and with players already making millions they may very well prefer prestige over money.

But of course the majority of players aren't even good enough to be in either tournament so you might be on to something actually.

Well if they want to risk being in breach of their NHL contract, being suspended or whatever, then that's their choice.

I don't know about you, but most of my employers would have fired me if I went AWOL to attend something of that nature.
- Doppleganger

The NHL would never in a trillion years risk that.

The NHL would never in a trillion years risk that.
- Morris

So you'd be okay with the Star player of the team you cheer for and even perhaps support with seasons tickets, flipping off your team, leaving the NHL in the stretch run to go to Olympics for three weeks, and expecting to return back to his NHL team, after missing 10 -13 games???

Don't forget the team may suspend him for violation of his contract.

The Player would not get paid to go to the Olympics and play, and could risk a season/career ending injury.

So you'd be okay with the Star player of the team you cheer for and even perhaps support with seasons tickets, flipping off your team, leaving the NHL in the stretch run to go to Olympics for three weeks, and expecting to return back to his NHL team, after missing 10 -13 games???

Don't forget the team may suspend him for violation of his contract.

The Player would not get paid to go to the Olympics and play, and could risk a season/career ending injury.
- Doppleganger

I thought we were talking about the Euros leaving for good if they don't get to play in the olympics anymore.

Obviously if the NHL is not sending its guys and then players leave the team without warning that's a different story.

What I was saying was that if the NHL risked having European players and others defecting to the KHL because of non-olympic participation, they'd back down from it.

I thought we were talking about the Euros leaving for good if they don't get to play in the olympics anymore.

Obviously if the NHL is not sending its guys and then players leave the team without warning that's a different story.

What I was saying was that if the NHL risked having European players and others defecting to the KHL because of non-olympic participation, they'd back down from it.
- Morris

To think, Dopps is supporting a move that could cost Ottawa their only decent player

To think, Dopps is supporting a move that could cost Ottawa their only decent player
- Feeling Glucky?

I thought we were talking about the Euros leaving for good if they don't get to play in the olympics anymore.

Obviously if the NHL is not sending its guys and then players leave the team without warning that's a different story.

What I was saying was that if the NHL risked having European players and others defecting to the KHL because of non-olympic participation, they'd back down from it.
- Morris

No I think you misunderstood. I doubt very much that any European making a NHL salary, living in North America would allow their contract to lapse, move to someplace in the middle of Siberia to live and play in the KHL, so that they could perhaps play in the next Olympics.

No I think you misunderstood. I doubt very much that any European making a NHL salary, living in North America would allow their contract to lapse, move to someplace in the middle of Siberia to live and play in the KHL, so that they could perhaps play in the next Olympics.
- Doppleganger

Yup, it'd never happen.

Like Kovalchuk would never do it.

Komarov didn't do it either.

IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN.

- sensarmy_11

I guess I think higher of him than you.

I guess I think higher of him than you.
- Feeling Glucky?

Ryan is decent. Their fanbase is so harsh

Ryan is decent. Their fanbase is so harsh
- the_cause2000

You mean the guy that turned down their overpayment of a first offer?

http://www.thestar.com/sp...out_strategy_feschuk.html

http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2014/09/17/leafs_kessel_not_hot_on_spotts_breakout_strategy_feschuk.html
- Cape Breton Bruins

We care more about what we see on the ice than some hearsay from that moron Feschuk.

We care more about what we see on the ice than some hearsay from that moron Feschuk.
- RogerRoeper

i care very little about both to be honest

i care very little about both to be honest
- the_cause2000

So you don't care how Kessel plays?

Kessel doesn't look like a pro athlete whatsoever. It really is a miracle that he's as athletic as he is. Imagine how good he'd be if he worked as hard as Crosby in the off-season.

Kessel doesn't look like a pro athlete whatsoever. It really is a miracle that he's as athletic as he is. Imagine how good he'd be if he worked as hard as Crosby in the off-season.
- daeth

Ever see Gretzky with his shirt off?

Ever see Gretzky with his shirt off?
- RogerRoeper

Gretzky played in an era where outside of a few tough guys almost nobody worked out like crazy. He was also the most skilled player of all time probably.

Gretzky played in an era where outside of a few tough guys almost nobody worked out like crazy. He was also the most skilled player of all time probably.
- daeth

But Kessel IS getting the results. The stats speak for themselves.

But Kessel IS getting the results. The stats speak for themselves.
- RogerRoeper

Well, when you finish the season with 80pts and still get outscored at even strength (-5), miss the playoffs, and go AWOL when the team goes into a tail spin, I wouldn't say that's getting results.

Putting up good personal stats? Sure. Results? I'm not so sure.

Yeah, and imagine if he was in incredible shape as well. He'd be ridiculous.