We'll see how this plays out, if there's the chance the optics means less viewership which equals less monies especially if sponsors have an issue withit, like the expression goes money talks bull poop walks
- BetweenTheDots

The Olympics already has problems with less viewership. The past summer games was an epic ratings disaster, partly because of the time difference between Japan and the US. Games in China aren't going to help that. Maybe having less controversial competitors will help. I doubt having Stan Bowman as the GM of the US team is going to move the needle on viewership.

Fred Stanfield who was traded to Boston in the infamous Phil Esposito and Ken Hodge deal passed away at 77. RIP.
- boilermaker100

Sorry to hear that. Remember watching him play when I was a kid, just getting into hockey.

Non hockey topic, sorry. RIP Norm Macdonald.

Non hockey topic, sorry. RIP Norm Macdonald.
- I Am The Breadman

I hear Mohel has alerted the mods to your indiscretion. See you in a month.

Sorry to hear that. Remember watching him play when I was a kid, just getting into hockey.
- gabriel

For the Hawks, equivalent of the 20th player player (in those days, teams could dress 16 skaters and 2 goaltenders). Hawks top 3 centers were Mikita, Esposito, Hay, and Angotti was a PK specialist and occasionally played 5x5.

I hear Mohel has alerted the mods to your indiscretion. See you in a month.
- paulr

Non hockey topic, sorry. RIP Norm Macdonald.
- I Am The Breadman

Sad news. The guy was such a unique comedian.

The Olympics already has problems with less viewership. The past summer games was an epic ratings disaster, partly because of the time difference between Japan and the US. Games in China aren't going to help that. Maybe having less controversial competitors will help. I doubt having Stan Bowman as the GM of the US team is going to move the needle on viewership.
- LAHawk

Maybe if the Olympics, and the networks covering them, just stuck to the events and stopped trying to make heroes and villains out of specific athletes (the Olympics are about representing your country not individual awards, no?) they would be able to at least react to actual dramatic moments. We know so much about the expected winners that the only thing they do to make a splash is if they screw up.

Cut it down to 6-8 hours of coverage. Maybe you don't have to air 3 on 3 basketball, or air pistol shooting (literally the antithesis of sport IMO). Over-saturation is never good.

Maybe if the Olympics, and the networks covering them, just stuck to the events and stopped trying to make heroes and villains out of specific athletes (the Olympics are about representing your country not individual awards, no?) they would be able to at least react to actual dramatic moments. We know so much about the expected winners that the only thing they do to make a splash is if they screw up.

Cut it down to 6-8 hours of coverage. Maybe you don't have to air 3 on 3 basketball, or air pistol shooting (literally the antithesis of sport IMO). Over-saturation is never good.
- Chunk

Actually, I think, the Olympics (both in ancient times and the modern games) were supposed to be about individual achievements more than the national.

Theo muddying the blog with hockey again.
- rpeters01

The scary thing is, this is the first time I've actually been interested in sports since the Hawks were fighting for a playoff spot last season.

Baseball = leisure activity
I stopped watching the NBA when they started flopping like soccer players and they stopped calling traveling.
NFL is boring to watch anymore - to me.
I can golf every weekend instead of watch it.

The scary thing is, this is the first time I've actually been interested in sports since the Hawks were fighting for a playoff spot last season.

Baseball = leisure activity
I stopped watching the NBA when they started flopping like soccer players and they stopped calling traveling.
NFL is boring to watch anymore - to me.
I can golf every weekend instead of watch it.
- Chunk

I can't watch "College" Basketball because there is "0% College" in College Basketball. College Football still has a pittance even with all the cake classes added to the syllabus because they have to find a way to keep them eligible for nearly 4 years when you consider many "Red Shirt" to grow the first year.

Actually, I think, the Olympics (both in ancient times and the modern games) were supposed to be about individual achievements more than the national.
- StLBravesFan

So all that talk about the NHL players wanting to represent Canada, USA, etc is all BS? Virtually every winner at the games praises their country in some shape or form... and they should. They get a ton of support for competing in the games. Many of the events no one outside of close family gives any poop about.

I can't watch "College" Basketball because there is "0% College" in College Basketball. College Football still has a pittance even with all the cake classes added to the syllabus because they have to find a way to keep them eligible for nearly 4 years when you consider many "Red Shirt" to grow the first year.
- rpeters01

I hear you. In all fairness, I could have simply burned out on watching sports, or my priorities just changed. I used to spend an entire weekend in front of a TV watching college and pro football, and I loved every second. Now, you would have to literally staple my foot to the floor to keep me in front of a TV that long (especially watching football).

So all that talk about the NHL players wanting to represent Canada, USA, etc is all BS? Virtually every winner at the games praises their country in some shape or form... and they should. They get a ton of support for competing in the games. Many of the events no one outside of close family gives any poop about.
- Chunk

I did say “supposed to be”: nationalism (like money) usually trumps purity.

I did say “supposed to be”: nationalism (like money) usually trumps purity.
- StLBravesFan

I'm not sure if it has been disputed (actually, I'm pretty sure it HAS been disputed, but I'm not sure if it was disproven), that the initial instances of the Olympics was for each of the nearby city-states around Peloponnese to send their best athlete (back then it was simply the fastest runner) to represent them in a race. I believe the event was something like 600 yards.

Then again, the winners of events were showered with gifts, prizes and privileges, so that speaks more to the individual aspect.

I don't have (and never did) any delusions that the Olympics are somehow "pure". As I mentioned before the proliferation of doping, countries themselves endorsing it, and the inclusion of pro athletes pretty much puts any notion of that on ice.

Non hockey topic, sorry. RIP Norm Macdonald.
- I Am The Breadman

61, far too young

Non hockey topic, sorry. RIP Norm Macdonald.
- I Am The Breadman

One of my all-time favorites. Very sad. Best SNL weekend update anchor ever. His relentlessness on the OJ Simpson case eventually lead to his ousting far too soon, and now he’s gone too soon. RIP.

New blog! A look at the Blackhawks roster and suggested lineup for the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase versus the Wild this weekend.

https://bit.ly/3z6AoWQ