Michael Pachla: On the NHL/Olympic thing NHL to allow Olympic participation by players with AHL contracts

Michael Pachla: On the NHL/Olympic thing
NHL to allow Olympic participation by players with AHL contracts
- Michael Pachla

New blog

the Olympic games will be more exciting in my opinion. canada may still be the favorite. but the upset odds go way up. i will be watching......

Michael Pachla: On the NHL/Olympic thing
NHL to allow Olympic participation by players with AHL contracts
- Michael Pachla

Couple things, and not that either should be a deterrent from the decision making 1 way or another:

1. When amateurs start playing again, get ready for the endless mantra of "well, if Canada had *insert player x*, they would have won gold easily" every time they don't win gold, just like in the World Juniors.

2. I actually don't think the condensed schedule is a bad thing. The lack of practices actually made more of the games fun to watch, at least among the good teams anyway. Coaches didn't have time to coach the fun out of the game.

Couple things, and not that either should be a deterrent from the decision making 1 way or another:

1. When amateurs start playing again, get ready for the endless mantra of "well, if Canada had *insert player x*, they would have won gold easily" every time they don't win gold, just like in the World Juniors.

2. I actually don't think the condensed schedule is a bad thing. The lack of practices actually made more of the games fun to watch, at least among the good teams anyway. Coaches didn't have time to coach the fun out of the game.
- buffalofan19

those extra events take a toll on the players involved

Couple things, and not that either should be a deterrent from the decision making 1 way or another:

1. When amateurs start playing again, get ready for the endless mantra of "well, if Canada had *insert player x*, they would have won gold easily" every time they don't win gold, just like in the World Juniors.

2. I actually don't think the condensed schedule is a bad thing. The lack of practices actually made more of the games fun to watch, at least among the good teams anyway. Coaches didn't have time to coach the fun out of the game.
- buffalofan19

coughdanbylsmacough

coughdanbylsmacough
- LandlordTom

Like I said. That's how it was for the good teams. I think it was Barry Trotz that was complaining about the lack of practices last year.

I keep forgetting Jason Pomminville is on the Sabres again

the Olympic games will be more exciting in my opinion. canada may still be the favorite. but the upset odds go way up. i will be watching......
- nyislsbossy

I wonder if they'd even be the favs. If Those euro leagues send their best, it'll be a crapshoot. Hell, Canada doesn't win near every time in the world championships when they send a ton of superstars.
That full lineup of their very best in the Olympics or World Cup tilts the odds in Canada's favour fairly heavily, but even a few guys missing evens it out as canadas depth of stars is their true strength.

Anything less at any level and anyone can beat Canada and I doubt they're even the favs

I wonder if they'd even be the favs. If Those euro leagues send their best, it'll be a crapshoot. Hell, Canada doesn't win near every time in the world championships when they send a ton of superstars.
That full lineup of their very best in the Olympics or World Cup tilts the odds in Canada's favour fairly heavily, but even a few guys missing evens it out as canadas depth of stars is their true strength.

Anything less at any level and anyone can beat Canada and I doubt they're even the favs
- HB77

It really goes to show how much of a world sport hockey is

Couple things, and not that either should be a deterrent from the decision making 1 way or another:

1. When amateurs start playing again, get ready for the endless mantra of "well, if Canada had *insert player x*, they would have won gold easily" every time they don't win gold, just like in the World Juniors.

2. I actually don't think the condensed schedule is a bad thing. The lack of practices actually made more of the games fun to watch, at least among the good teams anyway. Coaches didn't have time to coach the fun out of the game.
- buffalofan19

So much this lol

I keep forgetting Jason Pomminville is on the Sabres again
- MCGUIZZY

and apparently that there is only one m in Pominville.

Couple things, and not that either should be a deterrent from the decision making 1 way or another:

1. When amateurs start playing again, get ready for the endless mantra of "well, if Canada had *insert player x*, they would have won gold easily" every time they don't win gold, just like in the World Juniors.

2. I actually don't think the condensed schedule is a bad thing. The lack of practices actually made more of the games fun to watch, at least among the good teams anyway. Coaches didn't have time to coach the fun out of the game.
- buffalofan19

First of all it's 100% true. If we had our top players we would be the favorites. If NHL doesn't go then I think Russians will win a tainted gold thanks to all their guys in the KHL.

It really goes to show how much of a world sport hockey is
- Michael Pachla

For sure.

Finlands two way style, Russia's crazy offence, americas college factory and of course swedens insane ability to churn out world class defenders makes any tourney a toss up.
Sh1t, even the Swiss are dangerous

First of all it's 100% true. If we had our top players we would be the favorites. If NHL doesn't go then I think Russians will win a tainted gold thanks to all their guys in the KHL.
- Matthews_Auston

1st episode of GoT sucked. Complete snooze fest. Totes magotes man.

and apparently that there is only one m in Pominville.
- Hatboro_Swords

That too

For sure.

Finlands two way style, Russia's crazy offence, americas college factory and of course swedens insane ability to churn out world class defenders makes any tourney a toss up.
Sh1t, even the Swiss are dangerous
- HB77

Sweden ain't chopped liver either

oops...had a senior moment.

First of all it's 100% true. If we had our top players we would be the favorites. If NHL doesn't go then I think Russians will win a tainted gold thanks to all their guys in the KHL.
- Matthews_Auston

I dunno.

Take out a couple of canadas players and the field evens out. It's the superstars we put on the 3rd pair that does it imo.

Let alone a roster that isn't even all that much better than anyone's else's to begin with and one extra player isn't gonna slam dunk it for Canada

No argument that in a best in best MENS tourney, Canada is significantly superior. But anything less than a team with Bergeron on the 4th line and we aren't.
Are we even ever far better in the juniors anymore ?

Michael Pachla: On the NHL/Olympic thing
NHL to allow Olympic participation by players with AHL contracts
- Michael Pachla

nice blog


makes the 1980 team that much more special when you think about it

nice blog


makes the 1980 team that much more special when you think about it
- homiedclown

thx...it really was a special team in a very special time, the politics of which I didn't even get into

Sweden ain't chopped liver either

oops...had a senior moment.
- Michael Pachla

Swedens crazy good. I don't know know how they do it or who they have teaching their developmental leagues, but their defence factory is impressive

Even in a best on best men's, I seriously think they have a better defence than Canada.

Karlsson
Hedman
Oel
As their top 3!?

Stalman, lindholm, klefbom, klingberg etc etc

I keep forgetting Jason Pomminville is on the Sabres again
- MCGUIZZY

there is a woman on the sabres facebook page, she floods the comment section wanting foligno and ennis back

thx...it really was a special team in a very special time, the politics of which I didn't even get into
- Michael Pachla

how long til Poland can compete?

Swedens crazy good. I don't know know how they do it or who they have teaching their developmental leagues, but their defence factory is impressive

Even in a best on best men's, I seriously think they have a better defence than Canada.

Karlsson
Hedman
Oel
As their top 3!?
- HB77

I've heard (and/or read) that some think Sweden is a much better developmental league than the ahl

So KHL and Swedish Elite League players will be there? If so, it's Sweden vs. Russia in the finals. Finland will compete well too. Then you have the high-level Czechs and Slovaks who play on that side of the Atlantic too. Won't that just be great for North American hockey? This is a joke, right?