I'm a die hard flyer fan. The idea of Giroux assisting on a Crosby goal makes me sick. Seeing Pronger last olympics play 30 minutes a game for Canada made me cringe. From this you could see where I stand. The olymic break is also not going to help the NHL. The last thing they need is another long break.

I'm possibly in a distinct minority on this issue, but I really wish the professionals would get out of the Olympics. I also realize that in many cases (Soviet Union) the professionals were always IN the Olympics. The pressure to win and the perceived rewards for winning are such that the spirit of amateurism will inevitably get shoved by the wayside.

But, I for one, love seeing college and non-professional athletes in all sports have a chance to compete in the Olympics. I also hate having the NHL season impacted by the Olympic break. This will be the second consecutive year that NHL fans have had to put up with a nonsensical schedule and the resultant plethora of subpar games to watch. I say subpar because again, on too many occasions, we will be left watching one or both teams in a game who are exhausted from 3 games in 4 nights. There's nothing quite like watching two teams who look like they're skating through mud.

On the flip side, it is an honor for the men chosen to represent their countries, and I certainly dont begrudge them that.
- Doc_Sarcasm

I like professionals in the Olympics. I mean they are to made to pit the best in the world against each other, and if you take professionals out, then your just pitting the best of the not really good against eachother.

As for the schedule, the Flyers actually will benefit from this. They have fewer back to back games then anyone in the division.

Very good point. If they are going to stay with the pros, then move it to the Summer games. I know it sounds weird, but they played the Canada Cup/World Cup games in the summer, and it seemed to work just fine. At least this way if a key player gets hurt, he should hopefully be able to return to his club at some point during the season, rather than getting injured in February and missing the stretch run and playoffs.
- BiggE

I would be on board with this, however I dont think it would happen. Ice hockey is one of the main draws of the winter Olympics.

I think Lavi would make a better coach for this USA team then Bylsma. I mean DB is good at coaching superstars in a high offense system. But this USA team doesn't have the super offensive superstars to manage. I think Lavi's attack first system, with the excellent puck moving, offensive defensman and strong goaltending we have would have been perfect for this team.
- youarewrong

I would argue that when Bylsma DOESN'T have his superstars in Pittsburgh is when he's done his best coaching and the team actually buys into team D.

Ah, a chorus of "Get off my lawn!"

I love the best in the Olympics. That's what's in the Olympics now in every sport except soccer, which saves its best for World Cup. But in order to have the full participation of every country interested that is not an every 4 years event but a 4-year event.
- bodiva88

World Cup of Hockey, back in 2016!

I would argue that when Bylsma DOESN'T have his superstars in Pittsburgh is when he's done his best coaching and the team actually buys into team D.
- bmeltzer

This.

Bylsma's very analytical and X's and O's competent... but he has to give his those great players some leeway to create and do what they do best -- as we've seen, it can quickly become a double-edged sword.

As a coach, though, you really have to take the good with the bad. Unless you want to be like Torts and not get the most out of your top players because you're treating them like 4th-line plugs.

Need to get Iron Mike behind the bench. He'd be perfect for a short tourney like this. It takes a solid 4 weeks for the players to tune him out.

I would argue that when Bylsma DOESN'T have his superstars in Pittsburgh is when he's done his best coaching and the team actually buys into team D.
- bmeltzer

Exactly Bill. When his team buys in, they play a solid 2 way game. When they go off the reservation is when there is an issue. And Bylsma attack and pressure is pretty much the same as Laviolette's.

I would argue that when Bylsma DOESN'T have his superstars in Pittsburgh is when he's done his best coaching and the team actually buys into team D.
- bmeltzer

Can you come over to our board and make this statement? I fully expect the USA to be very good because Disco won't implement his (defense be damned) "system" in such a short tournament.

Of course players always deserve the largest portion of blame for failure, but when trends continue, the burden of the blame should shift.

I was having an argument with my friend yesterday about how these rivalries are a bigger deal to us fans than to the players and coaches involve. This came up after he said Crosby and Giroux would not be able to get along on Team Canada because they "hate each other". I told him that they were hockey players as well as adults and would be completely fine.

Well if you are in the minority, I am too. I fully agree.
- FlyersFirst

I agree with Bill's comment on disparity from country to country and the actual definition of the term "pro" vs "am"

If the Olympics were every year... You might be able to talk me into disallowing NHLers. But, since the Olympics are every 4 - this limits the chance of seeing some top talent play. Look at Crosby and many others they jump to pro's at a young age. They may not get a chance to play.

Most of my belief is that the Olympics are about the best in the world... The NHL should be there.

What might keep it fresh and interesting.... Limit number of times a hockey player can attend... Or, allow NHL'ers but only allow ages up to 27? and once you hit 33? you can play again... Or, only allow them to play in there prime 27 to 33...

I was having an argument with my friend yesterday about how these rivalries are a bigger deal to us fans than to the players and coaches involve. This came up after he said Crosby and Giroux would not be able to get along on Team Canada because they "hate each other". I told him that they were hockey players as well as adults and would be completely fine.
- NickTheKid87

What the alternative to being "fine"... Somebody walks? That's not going to happen. If two guys are friends the friendship may help build chemistry - however, it could be like Richards and Carter going out for drinks before a game. On the other hand... Giroux and Crosby may try to out do each other and excel. But, I would not put them on the same line - instead of passing for a goal, somebody might shoot first to be the hero.

What the alternative to being "fine"... Somebody walks? That's not going to happen. If two guys are friends the friendship may help build chemistry - however, it could be like Richards and Carter going out for drinks before a game. On the other hand... Giroux and Crosby may try to out do each other and excel. But, I would not put them on the same line - instead of passing for a goal, somebody might shoot first to be the hero.
- leon neon

What the alternative to being "fine"... Somebody walks? That's not going to happen. If two guys are friends the friendship may help build chemistry - however, it could be like Richards and Carter going out for drinks before a game. On the other hand... Giroux and Crosby may try to out do each other and excel. But, I would not put them on the same line - instead of passing for a goal, somebody might shoot first to be he hero.
- leon neon

I don't know about that. I think both guys want to win Gold for their country and will do whatever's necessary. I wouldn't put them on the same line because that would be redundant. Giroux and Crosby are both elite passers (Crosby is a significantly better skater and finisher though) so I'd but both with better complimentary players.

What the alternative to being "fine"... Somebody walks? That's not going to happen. If two guys are friends the friendship may help build chemistry - however, it could be like Richards and Carter going out for drinks before a game. On the other hand... Giroux and Crosby may try to out do each other and excel. But, I would not put them on the same line - instead of passing for a goal, somebody might shoot first to be the hero.
- leon neon

I'd just hope it would be like the ending to Major League, without the embrace. Giroux passes to Crosby who scores the Gold winning goal. Crosby's celebrating, Giroux comes over and punches him in the mouth.

I'd just hope it would be like the ending to Major League, without the embrace. Giroux passes to Crosby who scores the Gold winning goal. Crosby's celebrating, Giroux comes over and punches him in the mouth.
- jmatchett383

That's beautiful, man.

I'd just hope it would be like the ending to Major League, without the embrace. Giroux passes to Crosby who scores the Gold winning goal. Crosby's celebrating, Giroux comes over and punches him in the mouth.
- jmatchett383

dream on, dreamer

I think Homer gets a solid "A" for this offseason.

I am really missing hockey. As I watched the Phillies impotent offense try and trick the fans into thinking they were contenders, I began flipping around only to find every channel filled with reality shows. I have 300 channels and all of them are bad movies or reality shows. There were a lot less channels when I was a kid, yet, there was always something on TV to watch.

Now, all I can stand to watch is football and hockey.

I am really missing hockey. As I watched the Phillies impotent offense try and trick the fans into thinking they were contenders, I began flipping around only to find every channel filled with reality shows. I have 300 channels and all of them are bad movies or reality shows. There were a lot less channels when I was a kid, yet, there was always something on TV to watch.

Now, all I can stand to watch is football and hockey.
- PhillySportsGuy

Thank God for the NHL Network
And Bruce Campbell movies

I'm possibly in a distinct minority on this issue, but I really wish the professionals would get out of the Olympics. I also realize that in many cases (Soviet Union) the professionals were always IN the Olympics. The pressure to win and the perceived rewards for winning are such that the spirit of amateurism will inevitably get shoved by the wayside.

But, I for one, love seeing college and non-professional athletes in all sports have a chance to compete in the Olympics. I also hate having the NHL season impacted by the Olympic break. This will be the second consecutive year that NHL fans have had to put up with a nonsensical schedule and the resultant plethora of subpar games to watch. I say subpar because again, on too many occasions, we will be left watching one or both teams in a game who are exhausted from 3 games in 4 nights. There's nothing quite like watching two teams who look like they're skating through mud.

On the flip side, it is an honor for the men chosen to represent their countries, and I certainly dont begrudge them that.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Well said -- and I agree. I'd rather have the occasional World Cup in summer than Olympic play for the pros. There will never be another Miracle on Ice until they get the pros out, but sadly the horse is long gone from the barn.

I don't begrudge them, but I also despise NHL participation in the Olympics.

First, it shuts down the NHL for a couple of weeks, in the middle of the season. Sorry, I'd rather watch the Flyers playing the Penguins than the US playing Slovakia. I'm a Flyers fan before a national fan, and I tend to root for whichever team has the most Flyers on it anyhow.

I also hate the potential for injury. How screwed are the Flyers if Claude Giroux ruins his knee in Sochi? What happens to the Rangers if Lundqvist hurts his hip? How about Detroit if Datsyuk gets a concussion?

Also, full on professional participation means that there will never be another "Miracle On Ice"
- Jsaquella

Can you really have another miracle on ice if you get the pros out? I don't understand this statement.

I could careless for the Olympic talk. When it's on, I'll watch but right now my focus is on the Flyers. Obviously nobody can see into the future so my question is something nobody can answer. Is this or isn't this our final roster? If there is another move to be made, when will it happen if at all. Now I'm sticking to my guns. As long as Gagne hasn't signed anywhere, he is coming here. This could change at anytime, he could sign something anywhere in an hour from now. I choose to believe Gagne hasn't signed anywhere else for a reason. He has held out from 30 teams the past 19 days for a reason beyond injury history.. Age is more of a reason to keep Gagne from the NHL then injury history and Simon Gagne is still a pretty decent age. With this said, if we really aren't gonna land Gagne and only time will tell, I would rather the heard break come today rather then another month from now. If the wait leads to a Gagne signing, then the wait was worth it.

Is this or isn't this our team going into the regular season?

Can you really have another miracle on ice if you get the pros out? I don't understand this statement.
- BulliesPhan87

Pros, or NHLers?