I know that the NHL wasn't a huge fan of participating in this Olympics. They felt that the security risks weren't worth it. However, the players really enjoy going.

As far as the major sports shutting down, the NBA players participate, it just so happens to fall during a time that the league isn't in session. The NFL isn't affected because it's strictly a US sport and isn't an Olympic event.

For the most part, our major sports here aren't really major sports anywhere else so it's hard to really make that jusitification.

Does anyone know if the leagues in Europe (KHL, Swedish Elite League, etc) shut down for the Olympics as well?
- HonkFortheGoose

I like Olympic hockey but I would much rather they didn't send the NHL players.

Agree. BTW, Candian Fans (during non-leaf games) are far better than any fair weather Sabre fan to sit next too.
- RynoBull

+1,(000)

Why dont you hate people from NJ, OH, PA, or Maine? They all have people that litter, and I assume they have done it here if visiting.

Is it because there is an imaginary line drawn in the sand that seperates the US and Canada.

If that line is not there, and we are all one nation, do you still hate them?
- ImThatGuy

The reason the Canadians take the heat for this is the importing thing. They'd rather wear the clothes they bought than pay whatever tax it is at the border. So they take their clothes off and toss it. And that's usually onto the pavement. I really dislike litterers though. Nothing a bat to a headlight cant do to prove a point.

I like Olympic hockey but I would much rather they didn't send the NHL players.
- leonwaldo420

I hate that the season has to be put on hold for it, but at the same time, I want to see the best of the best competing against each other for their home countries as well.

There's pros and cons to everything. I would rather see this than the All Star game. At least this has more of a purpose.

My boss from a company I worked for a few years ago is Canadian, living in Kitch. He took us (4 Americans) out to dinner in Columbus during a conference. He got drunk, bought about $250 worth of drinks for the 5 of us and tipped the waitress 18 dollars. I consider this guy a pretty nice guy too. My bias comes from observation of people I don't know as well as people I do. This isn't to say I've ran into my fair share of decent Canadians as well. I've had quite a few convos at Sabres vs not-Leafs games. I just stay away from Canada as often as I can because there's a lot of things I don't like about the country itself..so I suppose my sample size is small.
- TheSabresTaco

Really small sample size . I have experienced exactly the opposite. I have good friends on both sides of the border . I find the Canadians are better tippers most times . Always apologizing to, most times for stuff that is not even their fault or they have control over. Makes me laugh.

The reason the Canadians take the heat for this is the importing thing. They'd rather wear the clothes they bought than pay whatever tax it is at the border. So they take their clothes off and toss it. And that's usually onto the pavement. I really dislike litterers though. Nothing a bat to a headlight cant do to prove a point.
- TheSabresTaco

Technically what they're doing is fraudulent. That's why they have to leave their stuff behind. So, not only are they breaking one law by not claiming their purchases at the border, they are breaking two by littering.

I hate that the season has to be put on hold for it, but at the same time, I want to see the best of the best competing against each other for their home countries as well.

There's pros and cons to everything. I would rather see this than the All Star game. At least this has more of a purpose.
- HonkFortheGoose

Like I said limit to 21 and under and it will be like watching the world juniors . Most of us really enjoy watching that.

Like I said limit to 21 and under and it will be like watching the world juniors . Most of us really enjoy watching that.
- Maximum Signal

But we already see that every year, so really how would that make the Olympics any different than any other year? That tournament was just last month. We would just be rehashing the same tournament all over again less than 2 months later.

And what about guys like Girgensons who are on NHL rosters, but under 21. Would they be allow to participate?

The reason the Canadians take the heat for this is the importing thing. They'd rather wear the clothes they bought than pay whatever tax it is at the border. So they take their clothes off and toss it. And that's usually onto the pavement. I really dislike litterers though. Nothing a bat to a headlight cant do to prove a point.
- TheSabresTaco

They are now allowed $400 on daily visits and $800 if they stay 72 hours . Lots of friends from up there come and cross border shop . Hey if they can spend some more money on stuff and not have to pay duty . Who can blame them . Baseball bat to the headlights is a great solution though . Then we can fine them for broken headlights too ! Good thinking! You should run for Government !

But we already see that every year, so really how would that make the Olympics any different than any other year? That tournament was just last month. We would just be rehashing the same tournament all over again less than 2 months later.

And what about guys like Girgensons who are on NHL rosters, but under 21. Would they be allow to participate?
- HonkFortheGoose

Anyone under 21 . How many NHL rosters have key players under 21 . How would it be different . Because it is a world stage . The olympics have an aura about them that makes it different . You do not stage world juniors in Olympics then.

I wish the NHL players didnt play in the olympics. The break is stupid. What other major sport stops because its players have to go play in a different tournament.
- ImThatGuy

Basketball is held in the summer so they don't need to miss a season.
Baseball has been removed. They still have their world championships though.
Hockey is winter olympics and played in winter, obviously, so they send.
Football..lol.. why bother?
Soccer sent olympians and I think they break, not sure.

Really small sample size . I have experienced exactly the opposite. I have good friends on both sides of the border . I find the Canadians are better tippers most times . Always apologizing to, most times for stuff that is not even their fault or they have control over. Makes me laugh.
- Maximum Signal

Soooooorie!

There's a girl in my close group of friends who's Canadian and is currently living in Buffalo. Also not a good representative of the country haha

They are now allowed $400 on daily visits and $800 if they stay 72 hours . Lots of friends from up there come and cross border shop . Hey if they can spend some more money on stuff and not have to pay duty . Who can blame them . Baseball bat to the headlights is a great solution though . Then we can fine them for broken headlights too ! Good thinking! You should run for Government !



- Maximum Signal

Oh my have I ever thought about running for office....

Oh my have I ever thought about running for office....
- TheSabresTaco

Swiss vs Latvia or Czechs vs Sweden? Decisions decisions

Swiss vs Latvia or Czechs vs Sweden? Decisions decisions
- Stripes77

Swiss vs latvia sounds like a bit of a bore (although Girgensons). Czech vs Sweden could be a good one.

Anyone under 21 . How many NHL rosters have key players under 21 . How would it be different . Because it is a world stage . The olympics have an aura about them that makes it different . You do not stage world juniors in Olympics then.
- Maximum Signal

Just seems unfair that the owners have to absorb all the risk in having their NHL employees play in the Olympics. If Miller were to get hurt during this meaningless tournament (meaningless in a business sense) then the Sabres/Pegula are totally screwed out of a tradable piece that will be an important domino in the rebuild.

Does anyone know what the tie breaker after 60 is for round robin and knockout? Same as 2010?

Just seems unfair that the owners have to absorb all the risk in having their NHL employees play in the Olympics. If Miller were to get hurt during this meaningless tournament (meaningless in a business sense) then the Sabres/Pegula are totally screwed out of a tradable piece that will be an important domino in the rebuild.
- leonwaldo420

Again- Under 21 . What 21 year old will be a key trade asset at the trade deadline?

Again- Under 21 . What 21 year old will be a key trade asset at the trade deadline?
- Maximum Signal

No player getting paid by an NHL club should go no matter their age. They risk injury and I'm sure in some cases there will be U21 guys who need to help their respective clubs make a playoff run. I don't have the time or care that much to look at all the Olympic rosters but I have to think there is a few U21 guys playing.

Just seems unfair that the owners have to absorb all the risk in having their NHL employees play in the Olympics. If Miller were to get hurt during this meaningless tournament (meaningless in a business sense) then the Sabres/Pegula are totally screwed out of a tradable piece that will be an important domino in the rebuild.
- leonwaldo420

Think of it as being like an All-star game, except the players try and people actually give a poop. It's good exposure for the red-headed stepchild of US major sports.

Don't forget they traded us their 2nd round pick in 2015 already. So if they don't give us this year's #1 they could potentially not have a pick in next year's draft until the 3rd round. That would be a tough pill to swallow for a rebuilding team going into a new building. This is all subject to change depending on what they get back for Vanek and/or McDonald.
- Pierceme69

That's a good point
But even without accounting for the return from Vanek & McDonald...
I'm sure their "plan" is to add a goalie, and a couple forwards & defensemen
Basically,
They're "planning" to be better next season
Since thu made the playoffs last season, getting back would be a reasonable goal

So their thought process has to be...
Do we use our high pick this year, and give up our pick next year (which we're thinking will be somewhere between 16-20)?

Of course they have to factor in that they may not be able to get all the pieces they want to improve...

But their thinking has to be lets use the high pick THIS year, and make our team better asap

It's the very reason they insisted in that clause being part of the deal
I'd be SHOCKED if they don't use this years pick