Courtesy of CTV.ca:

To play or not to play

"Nobody can tell me you can't play for your country," Ovechkin said earlier this month. "I don't care, it's my decision and I want to represent my country at the Olympic Games."

Malkin recently told Yahoo.com's "Puck Daddy" blog that he agrees completely with Ovechkin's stance.

"This is my dream. Especially because this is going to take place in Russia. There is a buzz over there already. And if I am in good form, if I am a candidate for a roster spot, and if I am invited, there is no way I will refuse," the Penguins star was quoted as saying.

Malkin added he would be prepared to forgo his NHL career if it meant playing for Russia at the Olympics."

At some point, there's going to be a nasty stand-off over this. Unless the NHL and the players association decide to cave on this early (and save themselves another "loss of face".)

Players from other countries are already chiming in their support for this decision.

No way can I imagine the NHL standing their ground on this if the likes of Ovie and Malkin etc etc threaten to give them the old finger. They'll have to come out and say something slick and douchie like "Of course you can play in the Olympics....where did you get the idea you couldn't? We're on your side!"

The NHL will use this as leverage against the NHLPA in the next round of CBA talks.

_________________
Sabres Hockey: Commitment to Mediocrity

I'm on the side of the players on this. As, I can guess, are all of us.

_________________
mechaphil

the NHL is not doing things very properly, between this, and the huge glendale debacle.

_________________

Just another example of great leadership from Mr. Bettman.....you know, the kind we all have grown to expect.

Playing to represent your country in an international game is far more important to anyone than just the NHL.

Winning a Gold Medal would be something every athlete would dream of if their sport was an olympic sport.

_________________

Actually, Sky, I can remember a few occasions where Lord Stanley came before an Olympic medal. It was in those "meet the player" blurbs on THN

_________________
mechaphil

Wow, that means some players have no respect for their home country.

_________________

No, it means that they value a silver trophy over a golden disc. It doesn't mean they have no respect for their homelands.

_________________
mechaphil

For an old bastard like me, it is still hard to accept that our professional athletes compete in the Olympics.
And to be honest, I found it more entertaining when we sent our college players.

I wonder if they would be willing to forfeit half their season to play in the Olympics if they only made 20k a year in the NHL instead of millions?

_________________
-------------------------------------------------------
"I don't feel like Satan, but I am to them"
Neil Young

In the context to the aforestated opinion, I should like to add:

"Yes. As another old fuck, I'd also like to see the Olympics return to those who would compete for the love of the sport, rather than professionals - Who have most notably shown a casual disdain and a lack of passion (recently) for such a competition, as well as revealed the mercenary aspects of their character: Looking to use such a venue to bolster their marketability and endorsement-based revenue."

Give it back to the kids. The pro's are just getting far too greedy/conflicted about it, and it will simply interfere with their chosen (money-making) vocation.

Can't serve two masters.