More Fuel for Olympic Cranks: Hasek Goes Home

Dominik Hasek's Olympic experience lasted less than ten minutes. After undoing a groin muscle in the first game of the tournament, Hasek is flying back to Ottawa to rehab for the rest of the NHL season. The Czech Republic has also lost Patrik Elias to a bruised rib.

It will all be taken as damning evidence by those who believe NHL players don't belong in the Olympics. (Is it too outlandish to suggest that a 41-year-old goaltender with a heavy workload might be a groin injury waiting to happen, regardless of what uniform he's wearing?

The NHL will re-open the Olympic debate after the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. A press conference today also revealed that there are currently no plans for another World Cup of Hockey.

Such international showdowns provide us with some of the greatest hockey ever played. But who needs that? Many commentators are more concerned with the injury risk. They also complain that the NHL isn't getting much bang for its buck from the Olympic experience - as if the only purpose of a great hockey game is to serve the marketing agenda, as opposed to vice versa.

You've got to hand it to hockey people, they sure know how to think small.