The countries that had to qualify got screwed!

[cASe SenSiTive]

All of the countries that didn't get an automatic bye into the tournament got screwed by the NHL. They didn't have their NHL players for their qualifying games, because the NHL wouldn't let them leave a couple games early for the Olympics.

It probably would have been different if the US or Canada had to qualify. But we all know that Buttman only cares about ratings in the US, so he wasn't about to make concessions for the smaller countries.:rolleyes:

[ChrisFrez]

This is one of the reasons I think the NHL will not be involved in the next Olympics.

Ideally, there should have been no All Star game during an Olympic year so all the players could get to the opening night ceremony and compete with their respective countries.

[Signal]

Well until earlier today I thought that the top one or two teams from each of the groups would move on to a mini playoff for the medals...Now that I know that's not the case I'm a little confused as to how they've set this up? :confused: :confused:

I haven't looked into the format but I'm guessing from Case's post that some teams have to qualify for the medal round while other's don't???...Man the games themselves have been pretty darn good but other than that I'm not impressed with the NHL's involvement in this...The problem is that if they weren't involved I don't think I'd care too much about any of the games...

Jason

[_NITEBREED_]

Yes they did get Screwed - I dont think the NHL should be in the games anyway. But Gary has to Kiss arse.

[ken_valyi]

From the rumours I've heard, it sounds like this will be the last year of NHL participation in the Olympics. :(

[wingwop]

Good, that's the way it should be. It bothers me that this is so much more important to the players than their day jobs that pay them just a couple of bucks per year.

[cASe SenSiTive]

I'm with Mario. The pros should stick to playing in the NHL. Let the college boys play in the Olympics.

At least the NBA guys don't have to stop their season to go to the Olympics. And you sure as hell don't see the baseball guys trying to go to the Olympics.

This is all just a publicity stunt by Gary Buttman anyways.
Oh, how I hate that man!:mad:

[wingwop]

Amen to that!! I can't stand buttman either. Speaking of the NBA, how bad does he want to follow everything the NBA does? How does a commissioner get fired? Majority vote by the owners??

[ken_valyi]

Originally posted by wingwop
Amen to that!! I can't stand buttman either. Speaking of the NBA, how bad does he want to follow everything the NBA does? How does a commissioner get fired? Majority vote by the owners??

Hate to break it to you guys, but Butthead just got a contract extension with the owners a little while ago. He'll be around for at least another 4 years.

[wingwop]

That doesn't suprise me, those are the only people benefitting from this arsehole.

Which are some of the countries that were in the tournament? I imagine that Germany is one and maybe Belarus??

[cASe SenSiTive]

Belarus, France, Ukraine, Switzerland, Latvia, Slovakia, Germany, and Austria were all in the pre-tournament tournament.

[wingwop]

What? no Italians?? My homies gotta buy some skates and sticks!!

[cASe SenSiTive]

Thay have a team... but I think there was a qualification process to even make the Olympic tournament... Great Britain has a team too, but they weren't there.


Don't worry... The Italians will make a helluva showing in the World Cup this summer. Italy's first match is on June 3.:)

[FLII ME]

I love this forum, from hockey to soccer to .......

:)

[Signal]

...From hockey to soccer to...

CURLING BABY!!!... :)

I still don't get that sport!...

Anyways, I am with everyone else, no more NHL players in the Olympics...If it took place in the summer time, like the Canada Cup used to then MAYBE...But this is just too fugly the way they set up this tournament, ESPECIALLY with how some of the teams had to play an extra three games just to qualify...I just think it's too unfair that they had to play extra games and then the NHL'ers just get to come in and play three games that can't disqualify them from the medal tournament...As I said before the games themselves have been pretty good but I'd rather it be without the NHL involvement...In fact out of protest I'm going to be cheering for Belarus!...Yes that's right!!...The BELARUS MACHINE will take the gold!!!

:)

Jason

[wingwop]

Now that's funny.