While I don't want to put a damper on anyone's Olympic dreams, nor do I want to spoil the fun for those fans who enjoy them, but am I happy that there is talk of ending the NHL's participation in the Olympics and/or the World Cup.

Bill Daly and Ted Saskin got together to discuss the topic yesterday.

It seems that the league wouldn't mind continuing playing the World Cup, while the players prefer the Olympics.

I couldn't care less about the Olympics. No one could ever accuse me of being short of patriotism, but I just can't get all mushy inside about a bunch of millionaire professionals changing uniforms for a few weeks under the guise of "promoting the game". That fallacy has to end. The game, the NHL game, needs to be promoted here in North America. Some might say that is short sighted and that an international fan base is necessary for long term survival, but the fact remains that the league needs to be successful here in the U.S. before it would ever matter around the world.

The ratings are low, and the coverage is terrible. In NY, we get a few articles on hockey here and there, but for the most part, the news is all about the huge disappointment Bode Miller has become, and that dopey chick who was showing off and lost a gold medal because of it.

You cannot convince me that, if given the choice, American and Canadian players such as Rick DiPietro would not take a Stanley Cup over a gold medal. Why should I get so excited over an event that is secondary even for the players playing in it?

Anyway, you can find today's schedule here. The U.S. team will face Slovakia later today.

Meanwhile, in that terrible "scandal", Wayne Gretzky will not even be called to testify in the matter. The league is saying that there is no evidence any players bet on hockey. Also, the arrests had to be made because an FBI agent inadvertently tipped off the league about the investigation. The agent was reportedly unaware of the investigation's sensitive nature. Translation: He/she didn't think it was that big of a deal.

Enjoy the weekend.

HDH

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