GTFO Gary

So apparently after the Vancouver 2010 Olympics Games, the NHL is debating whether or not to continue allowing professional hockey players to participate in the games. In other words, they don't want to let their precious NHL stars play for their country in the Olympics.

Those on the pro side of it are the majority of NHL players, Hockey Canada, the International Ice Hockey Federation and just about every fan in the game.

The cons include, most obviously, Gary Bettman, NHL commissioner, along with many NHL club owners and GMs who don't quite see the value of suspending a season and risking injury and fatigue to their key players without making a little money off of it. Their mantra, and I quote:
"What's in it for us?"

I, for one, have mixed emotions about this whole ordeal. I agree that its aggravating that we have to pause the NHL season for two weeks, but I also think the Olympics should comprise of the best athletes in the world, and when it comes to hockey players, the majority tend to be found in the NHL. The downside of this is that the players on the Olympic hockey teams don't get any time to train together, as the teams are finalised right before the games actually begin. This results in uncoordination and slopiness, and basically some pretty crappy hockey.

I figure, since my vote is to have the best hockey possible on Olympic ice, that the teams would actually be better if they weren't comprised of NHL players because the amateurs would be practicing together for months before the games and will actually have formed a decent "team". With the NHL involved, all we see is basically a bunch of superstars skating around on the ice together.

It's a tough call to make, especially after these past Olympics in Vancouver, with almost a dramatic Hollywood storyline. I personally would like to live to see another Miracle on Ice, but with NHL players, this seems improbable. And especially with the next Winter Olympic games coming up in Russia, the players would have a huge time-zone to travel, not to mention that the host country is more or less at war with the NHL.

This whole issue is going to be under debate at the hockey summit coming up, so hold your breath. This might've been Crosby's last Olympic Games, who knows.