That seems to be the case. The bigger countries were basically operating two teams the entire time so they could seamlessly switch. I know Canada had a whole coaching staff and everything already selected if this happened.
Friedman talked about that on Saturday I think. Said the NHL told him it would take a long time to organize, 12-18 months.
I understand it especially to avoid guys being stuck there if there’s a positive test, but it still sucks.
Canada and Sweden pulled out of the Spengler Cup. Those guys will make up most of their Olympic rosters I assume. That said, the IOC may have to delay a year at the rate this is going. Best case scenario for sure.
This is really dumb. They should require 5 straight days of negative tests, otherwise it’s pointless. If someone picks it up on the 4 day break they aren’t gonna test positive first day back.
I guess the silver lining to the current situation is the omicron variant seems both way more contagious and less dangerous than the other variants/mostly all the players are vaccinated. Hopefully this will have a way faster peak/decline than in the past.
There is zero appetite for throwing money at sports franchises to build a new venue. These clowns need to read the room…not like they can threaten to leave.
I believe he can't go period unless the Caps literally release him from his contract and make him a free agent.
Didn’t mean release him from his contract. They can transfer his playing card to the IIHF allowing him to play for Russia. But can the NHL block it?
The only thing I’m taking from this is that it’s pretty crazy to me that there’s any kind of 5 year window where Canada hasnt really produced a superstar forward.
Always enjoy these threads. Recurring themes: Taylor Hall is a chode. Iginla was Bergeron before Bergeron. Kessel is exactly what you would expect.
The graphic is obviously correct for international play but it’s a bit funny because development wise Chychrun and the Hughes brothers should swap countries.
First WJC game at 1 c. as the US plays Finland in an exhibition. Pretty low expectations for the US this year but still pumped for it to start.
Opening odds: Canada +125 USA +379 Russia +498 Finland +697 Sweden +747 Czechia +2391 Slovakia +4383 Germany +8870 Switzerland +9860 Austria +50000
Canada gonna coast through this tourney. US is down, Sweden is down, Finland is down. Russia is probably the only team that’s up but Zubov decided to pocket Putin’s money and refused to select anyone playing in NA.
Button yesterday morning said he thought Russia left a bunch of their top players at home. Not sure who but he thought they wouldn’t be as strong.
Watching Spittin Chiclets Sandbagger vs Caufield and Zegras. You realize how fucking young these kids are. Holy shit. Caufield is tiny. And it was hysterical that Weber nickname Caufield "The Cock"