The Risk Of Playing In The Olympics

A couple of days ago shocking news arrived for me. Fedor Tyutin will be out for at least 2-3 weeks! During the Olympics in Sochi, he injured his ankle.

This injury will have a deep impact in the play of our defense. With Wisniewski already injured and out of line-up, we’ve got some trouble in our own end. Well, maybe it’s a little dramatic of me to call this trouble. Because we have a lot depth on the defense. Watch out for Tim Erixon or Dalton Prout to step in and play good hockey!

But that’s not the point I want to write about here. The issue I have is with the Olympics. It is a risk to send players across the pond and let them battle for gold. I know, it’s the Olympics! I never considered the risk of injuries when I heard that we are sending some good Jackets to Russia.

I was sad when I heard about the injury of John Tavares. He is out for the remainder of the season. Ouch, that hurt for sure. Garth Snow, the General Manager of the Islanders was already furious about the fact that he won’t be able to see his franchise player in action this season.

Does the NHL take that risk too lightly?

Mats Zuccarello, also an important forward for the New York Rangers, came back injured after his Sochi games. Out for at least a month.  Paul Martin, Pittsburgh Penguins, injured his Hand and will miss at least a month too.

The point is that some teams lose key players on their roster. Some players who could make the difference between making the playoffs or not making it.

Gary Bettman was very quiet about this situation. But the NHL needs to protect the players and say no to this two-week-break. Well, now we have four years to think and talk about it. I think it´s very important to show a sign to the IIHF that there is a lot more at stake than winning a medal. It’s about health to the players.

Sure, you also can get hurt in NHL Games. Touche! But that’s the risk the players go through because it’s their daily work for which they are paid.

In case of the Columbus Blue Jackets, we lose my favorite D-Man. Honest. He is organizing the defense night in and night out with his stunning routine.

But hey, imagine if Bob would be injured. I guess a lot would write us off the play-off contenders List. Good thing that didn’t happen!

Well, we’ll see where Tyutin’s break will get us. If we get wins and keep a clean defense I won’t say a word.