Will Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby be Captain Canada once more this year? The Athletic’s Rob Rossi believes that Hockey Canada has already tipped their hand prior to an official announcement. Rossi notes that as the organization begins to promote the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Crosby has been participating in commercial shoots, print ad shoots, and today an actual in-person promotional appearance with the “C” on his jersey. Now, Crosby did serve as the captain in his last appearance at the Olympics with Canada in 2014, which could explain the “C”. However, it is also just as much evidence that he could serve as captain again, especially he also captained the 2015 World Championship team and 2017 World Cup team in last two international appearance. One of the best all-time, it would be no surprise if Crosby remains Canada’s captain until his playing days are over. To this point, that role is not official for the 2022 Winter Games, but all signs point in that direction.
- Mike McIntryre of the Winnipeg Free Press writes that perhaps Jets fans should lighten up on their criticism of top defenseman Josh Morrissey. Morrissey is coming off of a disappointing 2020-21 season after signing a lucrative long-term deal last off-season, leading many to call the blue liner out for taking his foot off the pedal now that he has his money. However, that may not be the situation at all. Morrissey’s father recently passed away from brain cancer and it was revealed that Morrisey was battling with that difficult personal issue all season. While professional athletes are expected to perform regardless of off-ice/field problems, it is only human for those things to weigh on them. Morrissey is a hard-working, two-way defenseman who has been a positive player that excels in all three zones for every season up until this past campaign. There is no reason to believe that the 26-year-old won’t bounce back this year, especially with the Jets bringing in some extra support on the blue line in Nate Schmidt and Brenden Dillon.
- Former all-world soccer goalkeeper Petr Cech is back for another run at hockey. After retiring from soccer, Cech made a highly-publicized transition to hockey in 2019-20, signing with the Guildford Phoenix of the NIHL second-tier league in England while concurrently working as an advisor to his long-time Premier League soccer club Chelsea. Cech played in six games with the Phoenix, recording two shutouts and a .934 save percentage – not bad for a 37-year-old rookie. After a year off, Cech is ready to get back in net (on the ice). The Phoenix have announced that they have signed Cech to a one-year contract as he continues to play out his lifelong dream of playing hockey, even after a historic career in soccer. Cech will remain employed by Chelsea in the meantime as well. The legend of the star Czech athlete continues to grow.
Go Petr go!
For a variety of reasons, I hope zero Penguins play in the Olympics. Sid, top of list.
The last thing a team with less than a half court shot’s of a chance to win one last Cup needs is for their old core to play non-NHL games in the middle of a long season.
Also, the NHL shouldn’t go at all.
Also, the IOC is corrupt.
Also, F (ail to legitimize) China.
They are not going to come close, let Sid play for one more gold. He earned the choice
This is fair, Sids’ odds at Gold are far better than another Cup…although I’m pretty sure my view will not be determinant.
But, all of the other reasons stand.
Also, shutting down the NHL season for non-NHL games when makeup games are starting to look very likely is not a good idea.
It’s actually a great idea for the NHL to go to the Olympics. Considering the games are in China, it’s a tremendous opportunity to grow the game in the most populated country in the world while also exposing the rest of the world to the top NHL players. The league will indirectly make money off of the olympics through merchandise and new fan interest. Plus, it’s a small thing that will help to prevent another lockout because the league and owners are doing a nice thing and letting the players go and represent their country. There is value in that. Lastly, the players want to go. Other than the Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal is the top thing hockey players around the world dream of winning.
If your only ethic is money, sure….great idea.
Maybe the NHL can sponsor the prisons in Hong Kong or the “camps” in Western China? “The official Journalist Prison Camp of the NHL.”
Also, is it a “great idea” if people think the NHL is VULGAR for doing it? Does that grow the game? I can recall no other time during my hockey fandom where I was disgusted by the NHL.
You are in the significant minority in thinking the NHL shouldn’t go. The league itself wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for money, so not including that as part of the reason they should go just creates a huge hole in your argument. Plus, why wouldn’t you want to see a best on best tournament as a hockey fan? This could be one of the best olympics ever considering two generations of great players will both be involved. You’re also delusional if you think Pittsburgh can win another Cup this year. They aren’t an elite team anymore, they’re a first or second round knockout if they even make the playoffs. The best recognition Pittsburgh could/will get is with Crosby as captain of Team Canada.
The league wouldn’t exist without money. Quality insight.
Working at a bank and robbing a bank are two ways to get money.
Also, if it means interrupting the season and watering down the rest of that season for games that will be played at 1 am, I’m totally OK with the league making less money. I am.
Yeah, yeah, let NHL sponsor Guantanamo or all the “democratic” inhuman secret American prisons all over the Globe. You such a meathead, Josh Bell Fan. A product of your own media.
Can you imagine if those “camps” existed in a European country instead of China and the Olympics were to be held in that European country? No one would participate in the Olympics. Somehow China gets a pass. It’s lunacy.
Joshbell, at this point you’re clearly just trolling. You’re disagreeing for the sake of an argument.
I think with the ethical issue, the missed playing time and the fact China is bringing their brand of communism to the world are all legit reasons not to go. Money or not the treatment of the people in china, and all communist nations, is abhorrent.
If you find them equivalent, boycott us. Enjoy.
Stating priorities beyond money is “trolling.” Unique take.
“Think of all the money the NHL could make if the Chinese slave laborers made the jerseys! The league does exist because of money, you know!”
Not sure what I’m more disappointed in: The NHL executives wanting to send their players to the CCP Olympics or the players wanting to play in them.
Disappointing on both ends of it.
Money is literally the only thing these leagues care about. It’s similar to how FIFA is able to turn a blind eye on what’s happening in places like Qatar and Formula 1 in Saudi Arabia. The people making these decisions don’t care about human rights violations if they can make a buck profiting off it.
The NHL let players go to Sochi and there was an “outcry” then.
Afterwards, people forgot an calmed down and went on with their lives.
This will be no different.