Koivu Asks For the Night Off

barry33 · Guru

Koivu Asks For the Night Off

Power · Veteran Member

barry33 wrote:

According to the Team 990, Saku Koivu has called Bob Gainey and asked for the night off when they play New York tomorrow night. But hey, he is not alone, all Swedish players on the Red Wings (I think there are 6) will not be playing tomorrow night because they are attending a celebration in Sweden. Detroit has had to call up 3 players from the minors. Note to self- buy proline ticket and bet against Red Wings..also call Janet Is it just me, or is their a horrible set of prioritities here. We are in the middle of a playoff race with a game against a divisional team and our Captain wants the night off. I am not saying the guy is not tired. But maybe Kovalev and Markov deserve the night off too?

He Arrived to Finland at 2 o´clock at monday morning, then they had quick medal ceremony and Saks left to Montreal at 7.20 flight on monday morning, so if he is tired it´s not that he was partying.

barry33 · Guru

Power wrote:

barry33 wrote: According to the Team 990, Saku Koivu has called Bob Gainey and asked for the night off when they play New York tomorrow night. But hey, he is not alone, all Swedish players on the Red Wings (I think there are 6) will not be playing tomorrow night because they are attending a celebration in Sweden. Detroit has had to call up 3 players from the minors. Note to self- buy proline ticket and bet against Red Wings..also call Janet Is it just me, or is their a horrible set of prioritities here. We are in the middle of a playoff race with a game against a divisional team and our Captain wants the night off. I am not saying the guy is not tired. But maybe Kovalev and Markov deserve the night off too? He Arrived to Finland at 2 o´clock at monday morning, then they had quick medal ceremony and Saks left to Montreal at 7.20 flight on monday morning, so if he is tired it´s not that he was partying.

Oh no Power I am not implying that and I am know he is probably dead tired. I guess as ahabs fan, it furstrates me to know end that we need to do without our Captain for even one game because of the Olympics. And I worry that he will never recover from the strain of the Olympics.

JohnM · Guru

All teams have to go through this not just the Habs. By the way there are 82 games in a season.

barry33 · Guru

JohnM wrote:

All teams have to go through this not just the Habs. By the way there are 82 games in a season.

Plus exhibition

Nil d · Guru

barry33 wrote:

JohnM wrote: All teams have to go through this not just the Habs. By the way there are 82 games in a season. Plus exhibition

Minus injuries, plus practices, minus benchings, plus Olympics, minus All-Star breaks, plus playoffs.................

Figaro · Guru

hmmmm...if 1 game off makes him more of an asset for the next ones, then let him have it. Besides, last thing you want to tell your captain and star player is that he "has" to play. You should treat your star as good as you can. Not an unreasonable request.

I could unserstand Markov taking a game off (altough I doubt he will) but Kovalev didn't exaclty exert himself so he needs to be there front and left of centre.

plouf · Guru

I totally agree. Putting the olympics in the middle of the season is stupid. We're going to see some star players injured. We already have.

I'm actually glad to hear that Koivu will take the game off. I think we all agree he wasn't exactly the key guy on the team over the last week before the olympics anyway. Let's just hope he goes on a tear for the Habs.

By the sounds of the dressing room situation, Koivu probably needs a day off just to gear up mentally for the drastic change in atmosphere.

And. Wouldn't it be great to have a 70 game season? I'd be the first to support an idea like that. Think of how much it would help the level of play. Reduces the grind, makes each game more important, etc....

barry33 · Guru

plouf wrote:

I totally agree. Putting the olympics in the middle of the season is stupid. We're going to see some star players injured. We already have. I'm actually glad to hear that Koivu will take the game off. I think we all agree he wasn't exactly the key guy on the team over the last week before the olympics anyway. Let's just hope he goes on a tear for the Habs. By the sounds of the dressing room situation, Koivu probably needs a day off just to gear up mentally for the drastic change in atmosphere. And. Wouldn't it be great to have a 70 game season? I'd be the first to support an idea like that. Think of how much it would help the level of play. Reduces the grind, makes each game more important, etc....

Plouf- I have to commend you for your opinion. As a Koivu fan you have looked at it unbiasedly. The only thing that I will disagree with is that it was really more than a week before the Olympics he was not the key player. I would say that for about 8 weeks prior to the Olympics, with the exception of the Leafs game, he was not himself. Then again, on this team, he has lots of company. I am undecided. The heart part of me says too bad, you knew the rules and schedule before you went to Italy..suck it up and play, be a leader. The head part says to give him some rest..short term pain=long term gain. The head part has won out.

heet_150 · Guru

There were quite a few on this board that called Koivu out for playing in Buffalo when he had a touch of the flu. They called him selfish, etc.. Now, he is coming back from travelling halfway across the world, and he knows he won't be at his best (fatigued, or just plain tired), he's now being accused of not having his priorities straight because he is asking (it looks like 2 days ahead of time) for the day off. Good Christ, I'm glad I'm not captain of the Habs, he can't win for losing.

barry33 · Guru

heet_150 wrote:

There were quite a few on this board that called Koivu out for playing in Buffalo when he had a touch of the flu. They called him selfish, etc.. Now, he is coming back from travelling halfway across the world, and he knows he won't be at his best (fatigued, or just plain tired), he's now being accused of not having his priorities straight because he is asking (it looks like 2 days ahead of time) for the day off. Good Christ, I'm glad I'm not captain of the Habs, he can't win for losing.

If you will recall though.the people who defended him at the time said that having Koivu in the lineup at half strength was better than not having him at all. Like all debates regarding Koivu, you can look at it 2 ways. Listening to fans calling into the Team 990 this morning there were both views, split about 50/50. Some say that he should be rested so that he will be of more use to the Canadiens. Others say that the habs are in a playoff race and they need him in the lineup if only to play the playoffs.

I bring these subjects up because I KNOW there are 2 points of views and I enjoy hearing both of them. It was interesting yesterday that Gainey said that he "expected Koivu to be playing".

24 Rings · Guru

I would have to think that 8 games in 12 days earns a guy a night off. I would rather have him sit one out, than get the flu or get sick from all of this.

Fantastic tourney from our Captain - All-star selection.

barry33 · Guru

24 Rings wrote:

I would have to think that 8 games in 12 days earns a guy a night off. I would rather have him sit one out, than get the flu or get sick from all of this. Fantastic tourney from our Captain - All-star selection.

I do not disagree. Long term solution is rest him. It is just unfortunate that he spoke to the media and said "I am mentally exhausted and I hope that Bob Gainey is in a good mood when I get back because I would like to have the night off". This puts Gainey in a tough position. If Saks had said nothing and spoken to BG when he got back, it is easier for Gainey to give him a night off. But when you have reporters shoving microphones in players' faces right after an emotional loss, it is tough for the player to think before he speaks.

JohnM · Guru

He was the man. That is true. We know he's a playoff performer. Let's hope we can make it there.

heet_150 · Guru

barry33 wrote:

24 Rings wrote: I would have to think that 8 games in 12 days earns a guy a night off. I would rather have him sit one out, than get the flu or get sick from all of this. Fantastic tourney from our Captain - All-star selection. I do not disagree. Long term solution is rest him. It is just unfortunate that he spoke to the media and said "I am mentally exhausted and I hope that Bob Gainey is in a good mood when I get back because I would like to have the night off". This puts Gainey in a tough position. If Saks had said nothing and spoken to BG when he got back, it is easier for Gainey to give him a night off. But when you have reporters shoving microphones in players' faces right after an emotional loss, it is tough for the player to think before he speaks.

Okay, hold on a second. I thought that you said that the Team990 reported that Koivu has called BG to ask for the night off. But here, the report is that he hasn't yet asked and is essentially asking through the media. I haven't seen anything about it, so I don't know which it is.

wright · Veteran Member

barry33 wrote:

According to the Team 990, Saku Koivu has called Bob Gainey and asked for the night off when they play New York tomorrow night. But hey, he is not alone, all Swedish players on the Red Wings (I think there are 6) will not be playing tomorrow night because they are attending a celebration in Sweden. Detroit has had to call up 3 players from the minors. Note to self- buy proline ticket and bet against Red Wings..also call Janet Is it just me, or is their a horrible set of prioritities here. We are in the middle of a playoff race with a game against a divisional team and our Captain wants the night off. I am not saying the guy is not tired. But maybe Kovalev and Markov deserve the night off too? Let me add something to this. I do not place all the blame on Saku for wanting a night off. I do blame the NHL for agreeing to this lunacy. Putting the players in a situation wher ethey have to compress an already crazy 84 game schedule around the Olympics is just plain nuts. As much as I feel Koivu needs to be in our lineup (we are in a playoff race where evry point counts for Pete's sake), I have a feeling that he is on the brink of being hurt if he keeps playing. -- Edited by barry33 at 08:17, 2006-02-27

Koviu should be in the lineup against the Islanders. He knew full well prior to the Olympic tournament what was in store for him, 8 games in 12 days. He had the option of playing or opting out. He is a paid employee of the Montreal Canadiens, and if he is exhausted well so be it. The Habs and every other team play an incredibly compressed schedule, approximately 25 games over the next 50 nights or so, he knew that prior to deciding to represent his country in the Olympics. i admire Koviu, but on this issue if he is not injured he should play. Perhaps Gainey can spot him a little bit in the game, or diminish his ice time by having him essentially play on the power play. Nonetheless the Habs are life and death to make the playoffs and every game here on in is very important. Will a couple of extra days rest eliminate Koviu's fatigue completely, i don't think so.

barry33 · Guru

heet_150 wrote:

barry33 wrote: 24 Rings wrote: I would have to think that 8 games in 12 days earns a guy a night off. I would rather have him sit one out, than get the flu or get sick from all of this. Fantastic tourney from our Captain - All-star selection. I do not disagree. Long term solution is rest him. It is just unfortunate that he spoke to the media and said "I am mentally exhausted and I hope that Bob Gainey is in a good mood when I get back because I would like to have the night off". This puts Gainey in a tough position. If Saks had said nothing and spoken to BG when he got back, it is easier for Gainey to give him a night off. But when you have reporters shoving microphones in players' faces right after an emotional loss, it is tough for the player to think before he speaks. Okay, hold on a second. I thought that you said that the Team990 reported that Koivu has called BG to ask for the night off. But here, the report is that he hasn't yet asked and is essentially asking through the media. I haven't seen anything about it, so I don't know which it is.

My misunderstanding Heet. Apparently the first Gainey heard of it was after Saks interview with a french media station. When asked about it Gainey said "As far as I am concerened I expect Saku to be in the lineup". He did not call Gainey. But that is all a moot point and irrelevant. As much as I still have a distaste for how some of these guys turn it up 20 notches for their country, and as much as I still feel that their first allegiance should be with their bread n butter provider, I still say give the guy the night off. Not only physically will he be drained but one has to wonder where his head will be? How is he going to get his head around slugging it out against teams like the Islanders after playing ina gold medal game for his country vs their arch rival? I do not blame Koivu (although they know the rules when they head over there..the Habs schedule did not change during the Olympics). I blame the owners who felt that this would elevate the game and hopefully, fan interests. They cannot have their cake and eat it too.

CupJunkie · Member

Sure has been a lot of talk about Koivu and his performance. He's the captain and I agree that he has to be a big part of the team's success. And, I suspect that he's feeling many of the same frustrations as M. Julien did before his demise.

But with all the recent talk about what's wrong with the team, new questions have emerged around his asking for a game off after the Oly. I think the discussion is an indicator that sheds some light on Koivu's role and performance as the captain, and his role in the team's lack of success (read that as lousy play).

So, several comments:
1. As I posted not long ago, the forwards -- no matter who they are and how good they are, are only as good as the goaltender stopping the puck and the defencemen feeding them with breakout passes;
2. Koivu may not be a scoring machine (does anyone remember when he was leading the league in scoring in late Oct. or early Nov., until an Edmonton Oiler [I believe] fell on his knee and tore his ACL?), but he was selected as captain of the silver medal Finnish team and they did pretty good;
3. Going on my memory, again, but does anyone remember Guy Lafleur around '80 or '81 when he took off for Europe for the world championships right after the Habs got knocked out? Anyway, some 5th rate German player sideswiped his knee and put him out of the tournament and almost did some serious damage -- the take on it was that Lafleur was tired and played too soon after the playoffs and was jetlagged; and
4. Personally, I'm frustrated with the team performance. I wish Saku could motivate Ribeiro and Zednik to play harder, and for Kovalev to let everything dangle every night. Unfortunately, he isn't/hasn't/can't -- as everyone says, players today are different than they were a few decades ago. BUT, all that aside, if Saku Koivu thinks he needs a night off after a grueling pace in the Olympics, I will allow him the right to judge his own condition. I will NOT question that man's heart, or his desire to win for his team. I might question if he's as good a player as he was before the cancer, or before the ACL surgery, but Saku Koivu's heart remains above question in my mind.

Interesting article by Red Fisher in today's Gazette. He's seen a little hockey and isn't a bad writer, either. Thought I'd paste it in for your convenience:

Will Koivu pay price from Games?

RED FISHER, The Gazette
Published: Monday, February 27, 2006

Come back with me, if you can, to the moments before the first of the last three regular-season games of the 2001-02 season. The noise had erupted even before the first of the Canadiens had stepped onto the ice and grew and grew as one player followed another. Now there was no longer a noise in what was then the Molson Centre, but wave upon wave of thunder engulfing it.

"Saku! Saku! Saku!"

He stood there at the Canadiens blue line, along with the rest of the starting lineup. Then, with the noise washing around him, Koivu skated to Jose Theodore, hugged him and said:

"C'mon, let's do it."

Koivu returned to the blue line, and it was only then that he removed his helmet, the lights glinting off his short, golden spikes of hair - and all the while, the screaming thousands stood there welcoming back one of their own, seven months after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma ... after eight cycles of chemotherapy that left him more sick than he could ever imagine.

"Saku! Saku! Saku!

He raised his stick, waving it as if it were a wand signalling the magic of the moment, and who can say it wasn't on this night only moments away from the Canadiens' 80th game of the season? And then ... another soaring moment: the five Ottawa Senators starters at their blue line skated to their bench, leaving Koivu alone.

"Saku! Saku! Saku!"

Magic.

That was then and this is now. What, I wonder, was Saku thinking about yesterday after Finland's 3-2 loss to Sweden? Was he thinking about lining up against Mats Sundin for the third-period faceoff with the teams locked up, 2-2 ... of breaking his stick, racing to his bench for another and hearing the roar of the crowd on the Nicklas Lidstrom goal 10 seconds into the period?

What was he thinking of much later, the silver medal - rather than the gold he desperately wanted - sitting on his chest, unable to erase the terrible disappointment, the grief, the empty feeling of coming so close to the top of the mountain and yet ending so far away? Silver never is enough for someone seeking gold, not for a gladiator who was voted to the all-star team, who was surely Finland's most valuable player and leader at Turin and, perhaps, the tournament's MVP - a prize which went to Finnish goaltender Antero Nittymaki.

It's unlikely, but was he thinking about what lies ahead when he rejoins the Canadiens tomorrow for the start of a six-game road trip?

Here's the point; Captain K has metioned to me several times that Alex Kovalev is the best player on this team. He gets no argument from me, but I say that while the Canadiens need Kovalev at his best, they will go only as far as Koivu takes them in this stretch drive to the playoffs. How much, though, does he have left in the tank after this horrible Olympics schedule, which had Koivu playing eight games in 12 days?

After hardly no time at all between the start of the Olympic break and the incredible pressure of Games competition, after the disappointment of yesterday's result in which the Finns came within a hair of tying the game in the final seconds, after yet another jet-lagged trip from Turin to Long Island today, what's left?

Tomorrow's game won't be a problem for Koivu if only because he'll be running on the excitement of at least being part of a gold-medal game. Furthermore, Bob Gainey is smart enough to understand he can't saddle his team leader with too many minutes against the Islanders, even though the games remaining in the Canadiens' regular-season schedule mean more than the silver medal Koivu brought back. Lots more.

The danger is in the games following this one, when even though Koivu's spirit is willing, his body may not be - for at least a little while. You don't go through a gruelling schedule like his without paying some kind of a price down the line.

The Olympics are unique. They are special, but the remaining games awaiting the Canadiens are more important - and the reality is that they're going into them with a lot of questions that need answers.

Can the goaltending hold up?

Will the Canadiens be able to get the best from their best players, Koivu and Kovalev?

When do Mike Ribeiro, who hasn't scored a goal in his last 13 games, and Richard Zednik, who has only one in his last 18 games, report to the team bus?

Can the Canadiens, as a team, turn around a terrible road record which stands at 10-19?

Tune in later.

rfisher@thegazette.canwest.com

Muller93 · Guru

StuartAlberta wrote:

Sure has been a lot of talk about Koivu and his performance. He's the captain and I agree that he has to be a big part of the team's success. And, I suspect that he's feeling many of the same frustrations as M. Julien did before his demise. But with all the recent talk about what's wrong with the team, new questions have emerged around his asking for a game off after the Oly. I think the discussion is an indicator that sheds some light on Koivu's role and performance as the captain, and his role in the team's lack of success (read that as lousy play). So, several comments: 1. As I posted not long ago, the forwards -- no matter who they are and how good they are, are only as good as the goaltender stopping the puck and the defencemen feeding them with breakout passes; 2. Koivu may not be a scoring machine (does anyone remember when he was leading the league in scoring in late Oct. or early Nov., until an Edmonton Oiler [I believe] fell on his knee and tore his ACL?), but he was selected as captain of the silver medal Finnish team and they did pretty good; 3. Going on my memory, again, but does anyone remember Guy Lafleur around '80 or '81 when he took off for Europe for the world championships right after the Habs got knocked out? Anyway, some 5th rate German player sideswiped his knee and put him out of the tournament and almost did some serious damage -- the take on it was that Lafleur was tired and played too soon after the playoffs and was jetlagged; and 4. Personally, I'm frustrated with the team performance. I wish Saku could motivate Ribeiro and Zednik to play harder, and for Kovalev to let everything dangle every night. Unfortunately, he isn't/hasn't/can't -- as everyone says, players today are different than they were a few decades ago. BUT, all that aside, if Saku Koivu thinks he needs a night off after a grueling pace in the Olympics, I will allow him the right to judge his own condition. I will NOT question that man's heart, or his desire to win for his team. I might question if he's as good a player as he was before the cancer, or before the ACL surgery, but Saku Koivu's heart remains above question in my mind. Interesting article by Red Fisher in today's Gazette. He's seen a little hockey and isn't a bad writer, either. Thought I'd paste it in for your convenience: Will Koivu pay price from Games? RED FISHER, The Gazette Published: Monday, February 27, 2006 Come back with me, if you can, to the moments before the first of the last three regular-season games of the 2001-02 season. The noise had erupted even before the first of the Canadiens had stepped onto the ice and grew and grew as one player followed another. Now there was no longer a noise in what was then the Molson Centre, but wave upon wave of thunder engulfing it. "Saku! Saku! Saku!" He stood there at the Canadiens blue line, along with the rest of the starting lineup. Then, with the noise washing around him, Koivu skated to Jose Theodore, hugged him and said: "C'mon, let's do it." Koivu returned to the blue line, and it was only then that he removed his helmet, the lights glinting off his short, golden spikes of hair - and all the while, the screaming thousands stood there welcoming back one of their own, seven months after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma ... after eight cycles of chemotherapy that left him more sick than he could ever imagine. "Saku! Saku! Saku! He raised his stick, waving it as if it were a wand signalling the magic of the moment, and who can say it wasn't on this night only moments away from the Canadiens' 80th game of the season? And then ... another soaring moment: the five Ottawa Senators starters at their blue line skated to their bench, leaving Koivu alone. "Saku! Saku! Saku!" Magic. That was then and this is now. What, I wonder, was Saku thinking about yesterday after Finland's 3-2 loss to Sweden? Was he thinking about lining up against Mats Sundin for the third-period faceoff with the teams locked up, 2-2 ... of breaking his stick, racing to his bench for another and hearing the roar of the crowd on the Nicklas Lidstrom goal 10 seconds into the period? What was he thinking of much later, the silver medal - rather than the gold he desperately wanted - sitting on his chest, unable to erase the terrible disappointment, the grief, the empty feeling of coming so close to the top of the mountain and yet ending so far away? Silver never is enough for someone seeking gold, not for a gladiator who was voted to the all-star team, who was surely Finland's most valuable player and leader at Turin and, perhaps, the tournament's MVP - a prize which went to Finnish goaltender Antero Nittymaki. It's unlikely, but was he thinking about what lies ahead when he rejoins the Canadiens tomorrow for the start of a six-game road trip? Here's the point; Captain K has metioned to me several times that Alex Kovalev is the best player on this team. He gets no argument from me, but I say that while the Canadiens need Kovalev at his best, they will go only as far as Koivu takes them in this stretch drive to the playoffs. How much, though, does he have left in the tank after this horrible Olympics schedule, which had Koivu playing eight games in 12 days? After hardly no time at all between the start of the Olympic break and the incredible pressure of Games competition, after the disappointment of yesterday's result in which the Finns came within a hair of tying the game in the final seconds, after yet another jet-lagged trip from Turin to Long Island today, what's left? Tomorrow's game won't be a problem for Koivu if only because he'll be running on the excitement of at least being part of a gold-medal game. Furthermore, Bob Gainey is smart enough to understand he can't saddle his team leader with too many minutes against the Islanders, even though the games remaining in the Canadiens' regular-season schedule mean more than the silver medal Koivu brought back. Lots more. The danger is in the games following this one, when even though Koivu's spirit is willing, his body may not be - for at least a little while. You don't go through a gruelling schedule like his without paying some kind of a price down the line. The Olympics are unique. They are special, but the remaining games awaiting the Canadiens are more important - and the reality is that they're going into them with a lot of questions that need answers. Can the goaltending hold up? Will the Canadiens be able to get the best from their best players, Koivu and Kovalev? When do Mike Ribeiro, who hasn't scored a goal in his last 13 games, and Richard Zednik, who has only one in his last 18 games, report to the team bus? Can the Canadiens, as a team, turn around a terrible road record which stands at 10-19? Tune in later. rfisher@thegazette.canwest.com

Really it boiles down to can this team do a dam thing without Koivu? That is what I have been saying all along.

Unfortunately we all know that olympic schedule was hard on Koivu. But most NHL'ers jumped on the rare opportunity to play in the olympics...you can't blame Koivu for going. That is just stupid.

However...I do think the NHL was stupid for allowing this to happen. 8 games in 12 days...Koivu will struggle to recover from that...let's hope Ribby/Bonk/Zednik pick it up a notch. Either way, without some back-up support...the habs will sink anyway. It's a team game.

barry33 · Guru

However...I do think the NHL was stupid for allowing this to happen. 8 games in 12 days...Koivu will struggle to recover from that...let's hope Ribby/Bonk/Zednik pick it up a notch. Either way, without some back-up support...the habs will sink anyway. It's a team game.

Amen to that Muller. Time for the deadweight to pick it up a notch.

wright · Veteran Member

I don't blame Koviu for going, representing ones country in the Olympics is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Similarly though Koviu had to know the realities of playing in the olympics and the ensuing toll it would take on him in the aftermath. Kipersoff decided that the ramifications of playing in the Olympics were not worth it for him in terms of the rest of the season. Koviu made his decision and now the Habs have to live with in terms of how it impacts on him going forward.

koviu's degree of exhaustion over the last 25 games becomes a moot point if Huet does not continue playing as well as he has, and two other Olympians, Markov and Kovalev do not play at a high level between now and the end of the year.

Muller93 · Guru

wright wrote:

I don't blame Koviu for going, representing ones country in the Olympics is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Similarly though Koviu had to know the realities of playing in the olympics and the ensuing toll it would take on him in the aftermath. Kipersoff decided that the ramifications of playing in the Olympics were not worth it for him in terms of the rest of the season. Koviu made his decision and now the Habs have to live with in terms of how it impacts on him going forward. koviu's degree of exhaustion over the last 25 games becomes a moot point if Huet does not continue playing as well as he has, and two other Olympians, Markov and Kovalev do not play at a high level between now and the end of the year.

I think Kiper is lazy and wanted the 2 weeks off. That is what I heard. Personally, I would rather have guys on my team with the heart to play for our country.

Could you imagine if Iginla said "No". As Canadians we would be insulted. Same goes for the Finns and Sweden etc. The NHL pretty much set these guys up. Anyone with heart would not refuse to represent their countries. And now we will have to watch many olympians play fatigued. Hope no one gets hurt. Thank the NHL if they do.

AB Habman · Guru

Every post was well thought out on this thread! Barry put it the best, my heart tells me that he should play but my mind has taken over and tells me he should rest! I agree!

The only post I didn't agree with is the last one( sorry Muller) I don't think you can call Kipersoff lazy because he took the games off. The guy plays alot of hockey and I respect his decision to rest for the final stretch! His prorities are in order as the Flames will only go as far as he takes them! I'm sure his priorities now are the Stanley Cup drive. You don't get that close to it without wanting a taste!

Muller93 · Guru

AB Habman wrote:

Every post was well thought out on this thread! Barry put it the best, my heart tells me that he should play but my mind has taken over and tells me he should rest! I agree! The only post I didn't agree with is the last one( sorry Muller) I don't think you can call Kipersoff lazy because he took the games off. The guy plays alot of hockey and I respect his decision to rest for the final stretch! His prorities are in order as the Flames will only go as far as he takes them! I'm sure his priorities now are the Stanley Cup drive. You don't get that close to it without wanting a taste!

Just saying what I heard. And I do think it's a gutless decision. I would not be happy with any canadian who "chose" not to go. Hey, we love it when Canada wins and we can claim rights to THE hockey country.

I don't respect Kipers choice. Play for your country man... when give the option.

JohnM · Guru

It's for patriotic pride. If you listened to the likes of Alfredson, Sundin, etc... this was their dream since they were kids and you had two countries glued to the TV for 2+ hours. True Canadians should know this more than most that hockey is one of the most important sports for most countries and not going puts a tarnish on your record for life.

barry33 · Guru

Muller93 wrote:

AB Habman wrote: Every post was well thought out on this thread! Barry put it the best, my heart tells me that he should play but my mind has taken over and tells me he should rest! I agree! The only post I didn't agree with is the last one( sorry Muller) I don't think you can call Kipersoff lazy because he took the games off. The guy plays alot of hockey and I respect his decision to rest for the final stretch! His prorities are in order as the Flames will only go as far as he takes them! I'm sure his priorities now are the Stanley Cup drive. You don't get that close to it without wanting a taste! Just saying what I heard. And I do think it's a gutless decision. I would not be happy with any canadian who "chose" not to go. Hey, we love it when Canada wins and we can claim rights to THE hockey country. I don't respect Kipers choice. Play for your country man... when give the option.

Actually I respect his decision IF it was made for the right reasons. Maybe a Stanley Cup is more important for Kipper then a gold medal? Calgary has a real opportunity to make it this year again and if he is indeed hurting and needed the rest, I respect his choice. Don't forget, the poor bugger will be disowned and decapitated when he goes back to Finland now. Again..only he knows the true reasons, the rest is just pure speculation. Keep in mind this. It is very apparent when you watch the Olympics (or World Championships for that matter), that to Europeans, this is THEIR Stanley Cup. Ask any member of the Finnish or Sweden team what they would rather do. Win that gold medal or win a Stanley Cup? I am betting that the overwhelming answer is the medal.

With this in mind for Kipper to skip the Olympics, I think he had a good reason. I can tell you that if Koivu or Kovalev were hurting going into the games, and chose to go anyway, I for one would NOT respect their decision. But hey, if thet get hurt over there, their countries do not have to pay them, the NHL teams do.

Ando · Guru

Gaw'd! This guy has some kinda nerve!!! Too much!

...at least the Wings have an excuse - it's called 1st place!

barry33 · Guru

JohnM wrote:

It's for patriotic pride. If you listened to the likes of Alfredson, Sundin, etc... this was their dream since they were kids and you had two countries glued to the TV for 2+ hours. True Canadians should know this more than most that hockey is one of the most important sports for most countries and not going puts a tarnish on your record for life.

As I said in my other post. As important as winning a gold medal is to Canadians, to Europeans as you said, "it is their dream". That, my friend, is the key difference between Canadian players and Europeans. Canadian kids like you and I , grow up dreaming of hoisting the Stanley Cup. Kids growing up in Helsinki dream of winning the world championships against Sweden. I am not in any way implying that the Europeans are wrong. It is simply a product of their upbringing. And let's be honest, for the most part, Canadians perform better in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (yes I can think of exceptions..Koivu and Kovalev being 2). Because, like the Finns and Swedes on Sunday, a Canadian who finds himself in the Stanley Cup playoffs or finals is living his dream.

Muller93 · Guru

barry33 wrote:

As I said in my other post. As important as winning a gold medal is to Canadians, to Europeans as you said, "it is their dream". That, my friend, is the key difference between Canadian players and Europeans. Canadian kids like you and I , grow up dreaming of hoisting the Stanley Cup. Kids growing up in Helsinki dream of winning the world championships against Sweden. I

Power. Is this true? I have actually heard from European sources that the kids there grow up with the Stanley cup as their dream now. Years ago this was not the case...but now due to the NHL being the "big time"...the kids dream of lord Stanley....Power,what would a 12 year old boy rather do...hoist the cup or win gold? Just curious

superhab · Guru

Below is an translated article its got some pretty funny passages but its readable.

Gainey does not envisage rest for Koivu

Richard LabbÃ©

The Press

Even if it has just disputed eight matches in only 12 days with the Olympic tournament, the attacker Saku Koivu should be at its station tomorrow evening with the Canadian. It is at least what made it clear the trainer and general manager Bob Gainey, yesterday in the Bell Center.

"It will be necessary that I speak with him, started by saying Gainey at the end of the drive of yesterday. It should be understood that it will leave Turin (today), that he will pass by Paris and that he finally will arrive to New York in afternoon. It is sure that it will be necessary to think of all that. Who knows, it perhaps has a small wound... But it is believed that our players who were in Turin will be ready (tomorrow evening)."

The Canadian would like to grant to Koivu a little rest, but it is a luxury which the formation montrÃ©alaise cannot allow. The finished Olympic pause, the Canadian takes again the collar with Island Length tomorrow evening, against Islanders of New York. It will act of a first match on a long series of six on the road.