Ryan Wilson: NHL takes a pause and the Olympics not looking feasible NHL takes a pause and the Olympics not looking feasible

I gotta say I find it very ironic that Covid is the reason NHL Olympic hockey isn’t going to happen.

The Olympics are supposed to be for amateurs and if memory serves it wasn't until the NBA decided to start letting our players play that all this started happening.

Anyway, I have a Letang question for everyone. IMO he's the biggest concern going into next season, not even as far as money goes. Personally if he wants market value, I imagine it would be right around what he's making now, so I don't think financially it would be a problem. I'm concerned that he won't WANT to come back.

Let's say we know right before the deadline that he has no plans on coming back and the Pens are able to identify an available replacement. Mind you, finding another Letang is near impossible, so it would obviously be a downgrade to some degree, do you pull the trigger?

The Olympics are supposed to be for amateurs and if memory serves it wasn't until the NBA decided to start letting our players play that all this started happening.

Anyway, I have a Letang question for everyone. IMO he's the biggest concern going into next season, not even as far as money goes. Personally if he wants market value, I imagine it would be right around what he's making now, so I don't think financially it would be a problem. I'm concerned that he won't WANT to come back.

Let's say we know right before the deadline that he has no plans on coming back and the Pens are able to identify an available replacement. Mind you, finding another Letang is near impossible, so it would obviously be a downgrade to some degree, do you pull the trigger?
- Rinosaur

No, you wait until after this season to find a replacement. Roll into the playoffs with the best players available, anything less is doing a disservice to your team.

No, you wait until after this season to find a replacement. Roll into the playoffs with the best players available, anything less is doing a disservice to your team.
- j.boyd919

Fair enough.

but a service to the Caps. Trade him for Gudbranson.

I gotta say I find it very ironic that Covid is the reason NHL Olympic hockey isn’t going to happen.
- Feds91Stammer

even more so because the olympics are in china hahaha

Maybe put him in a package for Chychrun?? Rumors are that he might be available...

We get to see Crosby and Evan Mcrigues on a nightly basis. The NHL should just put on its own international tournament consisting of only NHL Players. NHL rules and ice.

The Olympics are supposed to be for amateurs and if memory serves it wasn't until the NBA decided to start letting our players play that all this started happening.

Anyway, I have a Letang question for everyone. IMO he's the biggest concern going into next season, not even as far as money goes. Personally if he wants market value, I imagine it would be right around what he's making now, so I don't think financially it would be a problem. I'm concerned that he won't WANT to come back.

Let's say we know right before the deadline that he has no plans on coming back and the Pens are able to identify an available replacement. Mind you, finding another Letang is near impossible, so it would obviously be a downgrade to some degree, do you pull the trigger?
- Rinosaur

If Letang said he didn’t want to come back I’d just say I’ll trade Malkin to give you more money.

No Olympics gives GMs lots of extra time to start trade wars!

I think the only other nhl team Letang would ever choose over pittsburgh is Montreal and thank god they are a dumpster fire. I don’t see him choosing mtl over Pitt because of that. Also just pay the man if that’s what he wants.

Also screw the Olympics. I could care less about team Canada unless Letang was on the roster. Fleury more or less has his gold, Sid has a couple. Russia ain’t winning it and personally I don’t want ovi to get that gold. Although if he goes back anyways and no other nhl’ers do that would boost his chances. To me it’s like watching Anaheim play. Sure it can be entertaining but I really don’t care one way or the other how they do.

I think the only other nhl team Letang would ever choose over pittsburgh is Montreal and thank god they are a dumpster fire. I don’t see him choosing mtl over Pitt because of that. Also just pay the man if that’s what he wants.

Also screw the Olympics. I could care less about team Canada unless Letang was on the roster. Fleury more or less has his gold, Sid has a couple. Russia ain’t winning it and personally I don’t want ovi to get that gold. Although if he goes back anyways and no other nhl’ers do that would boost his chances. To me it’s like watching Anaheim play. Sure it can be entertaining but I really don’t care one way or the other how they do.
- 10inchTerror

Letang has played 81 games since the start of last season. He has 65 points. That is good for 6th among D. He still plays 25 minutes a night. I agree, just pay the man. He is worth the money.

The only reason I was hyped for the Olympics this year was Sully and Jake for team USA. But they could just do the world cup again like in 2016. That would be sweet.

Amateurs at the Winter Olympics is an interesting idea. That might be a cool tournament. But I say bring back the World Cup in September for the pros. Better time of year, less risk.

Amateurs at the Winter Olympics is an interesting idea. That might be a cool tournament. But I say bring back the World Cup in September for the pros. Better time of year, less risk.
- Sams_Dog

Amateurs is how it used to be.

I think the only other nhl team Letang would ever choose over pittsburgh is Montreal and thank god they are a dumpster fire. I don’t see him choosing mtl over Pitt because of that. Also just pay the man if that’s what he wants.

Also screw the Olympics. I could care less about team Canada unless Letang was on the roster. Fleury more or less has his gold, Sid has a couple. Russia ain’t winning it and personally I don’t want ovi to get that gold. Although if he goes back anyways and no other nhl’ers do that would boost his chances. To me it’s like watching Anaheim play. Sure it can be entertaining but I really don’t care one way or the other how they do.
- 10inchTerror

If Russia wasn't against USA or Canada I would root for them to win because Geno would also be on that team. And Ovi absolutely deserves a gold, I certainly wouldn't root against him.

Amateurs is how it used to be.
- Rinosaur

Yea and thats kinda dumb. I wanna watch the best compete. What would you rather watch, the Baby Pens or the Pens? Haha

Amateurs at the Winter Olympics is an interesting idea. That might be a cool tournament. But I say bring back the World Cup in September for the pros. Better time of year, less risk.
- Sams_Dog

Ehh, I wont be as interested in hockey this Olympics now. I'll watch USA but not bother with the other teams. Definitely down for the World Cup!

Yea and thats kinda dumb. I wanna watch the best compete. What would you rather watch, the Baby Pens or the Pens? Haha
- 668710

I don't know. I think it's cool to see the world's best amateurs. To be that's a better litmus test of where the next best are coming from.

I don't know. I think it's cool to see the world's best amateurs. To be that's a better litmus test of where the next best are coming from.
- Rinosaur

World juniors does a pretty good job showing off the next best.

World cup is the way to go. F the Olympics. With a world cup the NHL can benefit from their contractual assets and there's no need to pause the season. The Olympics is a corrupt joke.

World juniors does a pretty good job showing off the next best.
- stackthepads

Maybe every 4th year the World Juniors should be at the Olympics? I think that would be tremendous for those kids.

I don't know. I think it's cool to see the world's best amateurs. To be that's a better litmus test of where the next best are coming from.
- Rinosaur

I like watching the world juniors, so if it's like that then that could be good. I doubt all the kids would go though. It's probably gonna be trash hockey

World juniors does a pretty good job showing off the next best.
- stackthepads

Haha I missed this, but I agree.

Maybe every 4th year the World Juniors should be at the Olympics? I think that would be tremendous for those kids.
- madmike71

Now that I would watch.