Will 2014 debate be CBA bargaining chip?

[doniceage]

BY: Scott Burnside

TORONTO -- Many hockey observers believe Olympic participation will be a bargaining chip that will be played by the league when the next collective-bargaining agreement is negotiated sometime before the end of the 2011-12 season.

And why not? The league knows players are wildly supportive of the Olympics (95 percent of players support continued participation in the Olympics). Would they be willing to give up something during the next series of talks in order to continue playing in the Olympics?

http://espn.go.com/nhl/blog/_/name/nhl

[RGM81]

I very much think so. The players love going out to represent their countries, and I'm sure that as long as the Games are close to home (i.e. in North America) the League is happy to have the exposure.

However....

Going to Sochi presents some serious logistical problems for the League and I can see why they're so apprehensive:

• Insurance - travel, against injury, etc.
• Time & Jetlag- it's a really long flight to a place 12 timezones away; that's going to have a major effect on the players when they return and are expected to be gearing up for a playoff race.
• Interruption of the Season - 2 weeks with no NHL.

On the flipside, say the League does balk at Sochi. What effect will this have on the likes of Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, et al? The Canadian guys just got to have their big hometown pride moment, and obviously Ovy & Kovy are going to want to have that moment for themselves. Would they be willing to sit out the 2011-12 NHL season in order to maintain their eligibility to go to Sochi?

It's definitely going to be a major point of contention until the PA & the League get it resolved.

[30ranfordfan]

For sure it's going to be a bargaining chip in the CBA. The players like going..... but it's, at best, worthless for the league.

Myself, I would ecstatic if the NHL would pull out. Get the professionals out of the Olympics (this goes for you too, NBA). My respect for MLB / Bud Selig went through the roof when the told the Olympics 'no', regarding the notion that MLB players should go. Even with the Olympics said they'd drop the sport of pros didn't go.... MLB told them to shove it.

Have a 'World Cup of Hockey' every four years. It would be a tournament run by the NHL, the league, the owners, the players.... they'd all make money off it. They'd control all the broadcast rights, and fans would still get the best-on-best international games ever 4 years. It makes so much more sense than stopping the league in the middle of the season.


My guess? The Leauge is too chicken to pull out. They'll give in, but get some other concession from the players for doing it.

One thing I really hope they do, if they're serious about 'growing the game', is tell the IOC - If you cut the Woman's tournament, we're done with you. Make the inclusion of Woman's hockey a MANDATORY requrirment for NHL participation.

[Crater_Satori]

For sure it's going to be a bargaining chip in the CBA. The players like going..... but it's, at best, worthless for the league.

Myself, I would ecstatic if the NHL would pull out. Get the professionals out of the Olympics (this goes for you too, NBA). My respect for MLB / Bud Selig went through the roof when the told the Olympics 'no', regarding the notion that MLB players should go. Even with the Olympics said they'd drop the sport of pros didn't go.... MLB told them to shove it.

Have a 'World Cup of Hockey' every four years. It would be a tournament run by the NHL, the league, the owners, the players.... they'd all make money off it. They'd control all the broadcast rights, and fans would still get the best-on-best international games ever 4 years. It makes so much more sense than stopping the league in the middle of the season.


My guess? The Leauge is too chicken to pull out. They'll give in, but get some other concession from the players for doing it.

One thing I really hope they do, if they're serious about 'growing the game', is tell the IOC - If you cut the Woman's tournament, we're done with you. Make the inclusion of Woman's hockey a MANDATORY requrirment for NHL participation.

I have bolded the part where I have to ask...

Why?

The Women's tourny has become so dreadfully predictable that I feel it needs to go.

Sorry for the OT question...

While I do find the Oly tourney great to watch, I'd take a World Cup every 4 years as a very reasonable substitute should they pull out.

[30ranfordfan]

Actually, I agree with you. The tournament would be much better if it were replaced with a best-of-seven tourney, featuring the USA & Canada. Let the other countries have a seperate tournament for bronze.

But the ONLY valid excuse, why the NHL should continue to sends it players to the Olympics is 'growing the game'. That's it. There's no financial benefit for anyone but the IOC..... Olympic Hockey is only the biggest tournament in the world, becuase the NHL players go. If they stop going and did a World Cup instead, it would be bigger.

I even have a hard time buying into the 'growing the game' idea. BUT, if NHL participation is really about growing the game (and not lining the IOC's pocket book) then the Woman need some kind of avenue to grow their game too. Unlike the men - there's nothing else they can do to promote. The Olympics is a big thing for them.

I dunno. Either they're 'growing the game' or they're not. If they are, back the girls up. If they are not there to grow anything.... then there is no reason to stay, and they should pull out.

I have bolded the part where I have to ask...

Why?

The Women's tourny has become so dreadfully predictable that I feel it needs to go.

Sorry for the OT question...

While I do find the Oly tourney great to watch, I'd take a World Cup every 4 years as a very reasonable substitute should they pull out.