bma wroteCOLONI feel like you guys are setting it up so that IF the Americans beat Team Canada on Friday..you guys will play it off like you were never cheering for Team Canada and that you always wanted Phil, JVR and the Americans to win the gold anyways.
I repeat, I feel this way about Kessel/JVR
ONLY IF Canada loses tomorrow. But I would be completely fine with the Americans winning Friday. It really isn't life and death for me.
bma wroteCOLONI still don't see how JVR and Kessel winning gold as part of a 25 man roster would somehow help the Leafs be better against the Penguins, Bruins or Tampa in the NHL. Major reach imo. I mean I could argue that if Kessel and JVR win gold in Sochi, they will be on cruise control and be super complacent the rest of the year after achieving such a huge hockey achievement this year already.
I get that you guys are Leaf fans. So am I. But this isn't Team Canada vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs. This is Canada hockey vs. American hockey. The US losing on Friday will not make Kessel or JVR worse hockey players. And likewise, them winning will not make them better hockey players. You might have a better argument if this was Tennis where it's a 1 on 1 sport but hockey isn't one of them.
I think you're underestimating the impact of a run like this on Kessel and JVR. Winning gold isn't a small thing. Winning an olympic semi-final vs Canada and the olympic final isn't a small thing. Now, here is where I will agree with you: if Kessel and JVR are back benchers on that journey, it likely won't help them a lot. But that's not the case...Kessel leads the competition in points and goals. He likely will win tournament MVP. And if that is what what happens, I think you are underestimating the power of positive reinforcement in sports.
No one is saying that the US winning = Stanley Cups for the Leafs. But it will certainly help us to have JVR and Kessel have that experience in being key guys on a team that wins key games. I would liken the experience = to winning 2 rounds in the Stanley Cup playoffs in the past.