2026 Olympics

[The Rancor]

Somebody explain to me why I care so much less about the Men's tournament with the NHL players involved. I'm just so "meh" about it.

Because it doesn't compare to the Stanley Cup as a showcase for the sport and the athletes act like they're doing us a favor by putting on the Olympic jerseys. If it's not a pinnacle it's an exhibition.

I was skeptical going into the four nations last year. But that left me no doubt about the pride these guys take in a best on best international tournament.

These players take it very seriously. Lots of pride on the line and I'll be watching. I think watched all the US and Canada games, and a handful of others.

But any best on best hockey that doesn't include the Russians is lacking. A huge asterisk. This take is only about hockey, not politics, to me.

[The Rancor]

Somebody explain to me why I care so much less about the Men's tournament with the NHL players involved. I'm just so "meh" about it.

I still wish the Olympics was played with amateur players- just my humble opinion

I feel what you mean, but what is an amateur player anymore? CHL and AHL players in the NCAA, NCAA Players get hundreds of thousands of dollars to play- just the training to get to that level is a full time professional commitment, in almost every sport, except maybe curling.

edit: I learned that playing on the Finnish national team qualifies as National Service, in place of military service requirements.

[Chris '03]

Somebody explain to me why I care so much less about the Men's tournament with the NHL players involved. I'm just so "meh" about it.

I still wish the Olympics was played with amateur players- just my humble opinion

I feel what you mean, but what is an amateur player anymore? CHL and AHL players in the NCAA, NCAA Players get hundreds of thousands of dollars to play- just the training to get to that level is a full time professional commitment, in almost every sport, except maybe curling.

edit: I learned that playing on the Finnish national team qualifies as National Service, in place of military service requirements.

I think the idea of a pure amateur competition is almost all nostalgia at this point for better or worse.

[fastforward]

Somebody explain to me why I care so much less about the Men's tournament with the NHL players involved. I'm just so "meh" about it.

I still wish the Olympics was played with amateur players- just my humble opinion

I feel what you mean, but what is an amateur player anymore? CHL and AHL players in the NCAA, NCAA Players get hundreds of thousands of dollars to play- just the training to get to that level is a full time professional commitment, in almost every sport, except maybe curling.

edit: I learned that playing on the Finnish national team qualifies as National Service, in place of military service requirements.

I think the idea of a pure amateur competition is almost all nostalgia at this point for better or worse.

I completely agree!
It would just be really nice to have the spotlight be on an up and comer instead of someone who has already been in the spotlight and getting paid!

[stereax]

Somebody explain to me why I care so much less about the Men's tournament with the NHL players involved. I'm just so "meh" about it.

I still wish the Olympics was played with amateur players- just my humble opinion

I feel what you mean, but what is an amateur player anymore? CHL and AHL players in the NCAA, NCAA Players get hundreds of thousands of dollars to play- just the training to get to that level is a full time professional commitment, in almost every sport, except maybe curling.

edit: I learned that playing on the Finnish national team qualifies as National Service, in place of military service requirements.

I think the idea of a pure amateur competition is almost all nostalgia at this point for better or worse.

Put me out there, I'll put the "amateur" in "amateur competition" 💜

(this user cannot stay upright in skates, for reference)

[ugarte]

elite amateur competition is a scam sold by people who don't want to pay for labor. if there's money in it, pay the athletes. maybe having amateur biathlon is viable (but probably not, because the countries that support their athletes wil be better at it) but i'd rather watch the best hockey players in the world compete. i have to limit my nhl intake so that it doesn't ruin college hockey for me. i'm happily willing to sacrifice skill for nostalgia.

[RichH]

elite amateur competition is a scam sold by people who don't want to pay for labor. if there's money in it, pay the athletes. maybe having amateur biathlon is viable (but probably not, because the countries that support their athletes wil be better at it) but i'd rather watch the best hockey players in the world compete. i have to limit my nhl intake so that it doesn't ruin college hockey for me. i'm happily willing to sacrifice skill for nostalgia.

Sure, all valid points. I often think about the Soviet bloc nations (USSR specifically) keeping pro-class athletes in the Red Army like organizations to dominate international competition. That's a big angle of the '72 Summit Series and the '80 Miracle stories.

And a big reason for all these USOC and organizations and Olympic corporate sponsorships is to allow top U.S. athletes to train full time (in addition to the corruption and embezzlement). They're basically getting "NIL" grants out of endorsements for Levalor blinds or Little Chocolate Donuts or whatever.

Another source of trying understand my anti-NHL bias in the Olympic experience is that I don't seem to mind PWHL players as much, if at all.

[stereax]

elite amateur competition is a scam sold by people who don't want to pay for labor. if there's money in it, pay the athletes. maybe having amateur biathlon is viable (but probably not, because the countries that support their athletes wil be better at it) but i'd rather watch the best hockey players in the world compete. i have to limit my nhl intake so that it doesn't ruin college hockey for me. i'm happily willing to sacrifice skill for nostalgia.

Sure, all valid points. I often think about the Soviet bloc nations (USSR specifically) keeping pro-class athletes in the Red Army like organizations to dominate international competition. That's a big angle of the '72 Summit Series and the '80 Miracle stories.

And a big reason for all these USOC and organizations and Olympic corporate sponsorships is to allow top U.S. athletes to train full time (in addition to the corruption and embezzlement). They're basically getting "NIL" grants out of endorsements for Levalor blinds or Little Chocolate Donuts or whatever.

Another source of trying understand my anti-NHL bias in the Olympic experience is that I don't seem to mind PWHL players as much, if at all.

PWHL players are also like... famously being underpaid lmao.

[stereax]

Good morning, everyone!

[stereax]

Good morning, everyone!

HOLY SHIT MATT BOLDY

[stereax]

"hey stere why don't you post on twitter" do you know how god damn ANNOYING i am. better it's contained 😭

[stereax]

I continue to be surprised at the depths of my sheer hatred for Brock Fucking Faber.

Deadass I might be rooting for Canada just so that dumb fuck doesn't get a wholly undeserved gold.

[stereax]

Miracle count: 1.

[stereax]

the best thing about these olympics is pieroguszka. the second best thing is the pokemon first intermission report. the third best thing is i don't have to see sidney crosby's bitch ass face during the gold medal game.

[stereax]

the best thing about these olympics is pieroguszka. the second best thing is the pokemon first intermission report. the third best thing is i don't have to see sidney crosby's bitch ass face during the gold medal game.

nah bc that one WOULD do numbers on twitter. now I'm kinda mad. hey Canada score so this is fun - aaaaaand they take a penalty.