I thought Raymond was beat up last season? If so, why is he playing in this tourney. Don’t get me wrong I love the competitive spirit
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National pride is a helluva drug for hockey players
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yea that could really go both ways. Rest is great but so is momentum.
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It’s crazy to me that so many hockey players play essentially year round in these types of tournaments. I also feel like this is a relatively new thing, within the past 10-15 years? I could be wrong.
But to me, as a pro athlete in a game as physical as hockey, national pride is one thing but who is signing your checks? A major injury in any of these offseason things can have a huge impact on your career.
To me, you gotta take the time to rehab your body and get rest. And if I was a player on the wings where my team crapped out in the last 3 months and looked tired for the majority of those games, I’d try to have a little more self awareness about what I’m doing in the offseason!
I know Mo is the exception to this but he’s the only exception. Lol
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For sure, I feel like the momentum thing really can really carry you at the beginning and catch another team trying to get back up to speed. So say you jump out to an early lead in the series you can put them on their heels quick. But at the same time, if the series drags out for 6 or 7, that extra rest comes into play.
Every game and team and player is different but that’s generally how I would look at it I guess
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Yeah, I think it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. But the reality is that these guys are the elite of the elite when it comes to being competitors. Guys like Raymond and Mo didn’t get to where they are because they didn’t push themselves. I guarantee both of them still WANT to be playing in the NHL right now. And for guys like Raymond and Mo, this is another chance for them to be the best players on their team, play for their nation, and in Mo’s case, be the actual captain of the team.
I do think there is something to be said about the injury risk…but that’s not gonna stop these guys. Also a good way for these guys to woo prospective FAs to Detroit. We could use some more good players and if some of these guys make close friendships with others…that could lead to them wanting to play together (i.e. Kane and Cat).
I don’t mind much as long as they don’t get injured and these international things, the game is generally a little more on the finesse side vs. the NA game, so the risk is lessened (though not removed). Overall, I think it’s probably a net positive for these guys to still be playing. If nothing else, it builds their endurance for a playoff run next season.
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All very good points and I agree with your perspective as well. Especially like you said, we all wish they were still playing playoff games right now, and hopefully in the near future they are.
The only thing that bugs me is how they’ve flamed out so horribly at the end of the season. Is it because they played these offseason tournaments? Probably not and my own false correlation coming from a wings fan perspective. But the off chance these guys could use some extra time off to maybe even avoid a little burnout? Everyone needs a break sometimes even from things they love.
In the end, I dunno - they can do whatever, just get it the ■■■■ together next season! That’s all I got for them lol.
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This is how I differ from you guys. I love the International games in hockey. It’s short, it’s intense and it matters. The 7 game series nhl playoff format bores me to death.
I was loving the International tournaments the past couple years. Except for the ridiculous overtime rules at the Olympics.
But still best on best is fun to watch.
best of 3 is perfect
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Right on dude! Listen - that 3 on 3 OT was an abomination. I can’t believe they resorted to that gimmick to decide a gold medal game. But I hear you on the international competition, I can definitely appreciate that perspective.
I’m very much over shootouts and 3 on 3 in general, just go back to how it was, it was fine lol. Same with win loss and ties.
I also hear you on a best of 3. I do still like 7 game series but I wish maybe the first couple rounds were a best of 5. It does get to be a slog by the time the semifinals and finals roll around and I’m usually ready for it to be over by that time too. But what about a best of 3 gold medal series? That would be a lot of fun!
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I’m not sure what I said that made you think I disliked international hockey. I actually, historically, have enjoyed European hockey to North American hockey. European rinks are larger, there is more room, less physicality (mostly) and not some weird fetish with fighting. It’s usually a much more skilled game that I overall find to be better overall to the NA product. I’ve always been on the extreme end that I think hockey is better without fighting. It’s better when it’s played with skill, imo.
There isn’t a day that I don’t wish the NHL at the very least, got those extra 13 feet of width that the euro rinks gets. It opens up the game so much.
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Oh you’re good bud. Sometimes I just have a few beers and play the devils advocate. He sucks by the way.
But anytime I can have a laugh with you or @DetroitStrong that’s a good day
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That Canadian accent coming right through the text
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Agree 100% on the bigger rink, I wish they would use the Olympic/european rink size for everything. It makes the nhl rink feel claustrophobic in comparison. It enhances the best aspect of the game - speed and skill.
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Speaking of Canadian accents
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Is that a play on the Canadians “give your head a shake”? That’s actually a big improvement. Way funnier.
Haha I’m not sure, I just remember them saying it a lot in Letterkenny. And the way they say it sounds very Canadian, it was just the first thing I thought of when @Davicus said he heard @stephenboyd57 canadian accent through the text
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Brian Burke suggested some time ago that instead of going with an extra 10 feet of width (Olympic size), they go with what is used in some Euro rinks which is an extra 5 feet.
More room for players without losing so many seats. I believe it is used in Finland.
You can imagine as the players get bigger and faster what changes have to adopted in the future.
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I’d be good with that too and you said it - players are bigger and faster, the game needs to adjust. So any amount of extra space would be great.
I was surprised they never did it after they permanently switched to having 4 officials on the ice instead of 3. I think I remember it being discussed at the time but obviously nothing ever came of it. I want to say that we back in the late 90s/early 00s. The game has changed a lot since then!
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Game 7 OT. Sudden death.
3-2 montreal in ot
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