IIHF WC.

[Serb]

Vehanen!:b (btw, a KHL player) What a save!!!

[Serb]

Resting. He played a lot more games than the Russian stars, by the virtue of him NOT SUCKING IN THE OLYMPICS and playing better hockey in the playoffs, meaning he got 7 more games there too.

The Russians were more rested, since they failed when the games really mattered.

You mean he played more games than his teammates Malkin and Gonchar? Malkin and Gonchar are there, Crosby is not.
Fragile Canadian pussies.

[ColdWizard]

Europeans go play because they can show off for their national fans. NA players already show off for their fans. Going to Europe to show off for Europeans is pointless.

[Asher]

You mean he played more games than his teammates Malkin and Gonchar? Malkin and Gonchar are there, Crosby is not.

Yes. Malkin and Gonchar didn't play as much during the Olympics.

[Serb]

Right, that why I told to Asher that Canadians are lazy, selfish and greedy bastards who don't want to play for their banner.

[Asher]

Right, that why I told to Asher that Canadians are lazy, selfish and greedy bastards who don't want to play for their banner.

Why would they play in a meaningless tournament and risk injury?

No one cares who wins and loses.

[ColdWizard]

Playing for banner = Olympics. IIHF WC = Eurocentric tourney.

[Asher]

Playing for banner = Olympics. IIHF WC = Eurocentric tourney.

QFT.

[Asher]

As I said before, the World Juniors is the real annual battle where playing for your country matters. These kids are out to make a name for themselves and play their hearts out. The best players are always available in their age bracket, mostly future NHL stars.

The "adults" version is this IIHF WC, which is pointless. The best players stay home.

[Flubber]

The players that 'could' have gone for Canada and didn't really just prove Asher's point. Serb can chant "*****' all he wants but the reality is that none of the players feel a particularly compelling reason to go and the hockey fans in Canada and the US don't care.

Oh and none of those folks were at the Spengler Cup either -- so what ??

Oh and I am curious about other teams outside Russia. Have the Sedins shown up, Chara?Lidstrom? ect etc.

I was just curious how widespread elite player absenteeism is.

Russia is a special case. They were embarrassed by taking a pounding at the Olympics and folks like Ovechkin and Malken were probably not so happy with their playoffs either. So something to prove nationally and NHL-wise leads to them being here

[Serb]

Yes, we are angry and seek revenge. So, after we crushed Finland 5:0 tonight it's gonna be Russia - Canada quarterfinals again.
Beware Canada.

[Asher]

The Russian team will probably steamroll the team from Canada, but Canada still beat Russia in 2010. Let it be known.

[Serb]

Yes. Malkin and Gonchar didn't play as much during the Olympics.

Oh, come on. You mean two additional games Crosby played months ago? It's a hell of difference. Crosby still tired as hell for playing semis and finals three months ago. He surely still didn't recover from the Olympics.
Fragile Canadian *****.

[Serb]

Playing for banner = Olympics. IIHF WC = Eurocentric tourney.

We need another BIG international tournament aside Olympics. But with the attitude of NA players and NHL we'll never get one.
AND THIS IS BAD FOR THE SPORT.
Simple as that.

[Serb]

The Russian team will probably steamroll the team from Canada, but Canada still beat Russia in 2010. Let it be known.

And this is just your second win against Russia at the Olympics, while Russia beat Canada 10 times, iirc.

Let it be known.