Why not? The Olympics gets better ratings than the NHL, which means more exposure and more sponsors. Nationalistic fervor generates interest in players, and an Olympic medal means as much to most hockey players (especially those that don't come from the U.S.) as any trophy that will never travel within 5,000 miles of their hometown. The Olympic hockey tournament is the best in the world, two weeks of All-Star games between the best players in the NHL. What could be wrong with that? "Oh, but we might get hurt before going back to pointless mid-February hockey games no one's watching!" Oh no.

Olympics may get better ratings than the NHL but NBC buries the Olympic hockey games on secondary NBC outlets which denies the NHL the exposure they were guaranteed by IOC and the USOC and NBC. It figures a writer paid a salary by NBC would promote the idea that the NHL is wrong to demand the exposure they want and deserve. A little to glib and facile of an argument by a network losing their shirts because they overpaid for the broadcast rights to the games.

Put it back for the young people not pros .They have there rewards.

While you're right about Bettman, I agree with GilGarceti about the coverage by NBC. For instance today on the west coast(same time zone as Vancouver), the tv telecast of USA vs. the Swiss will be taped delayed. Even though I think you can view it on the internet if you have fast enough connection. I don't get why any of the Olympics are taped delayed in this day and age when you can find out who wins instantly with all kinds of devices or internet. I have rarely watched any coverage on the network channel, I watch on the cable channels or internet. By the way in own a few shares of GE stock and I feel like I'm subsidizing those who get live coverage in a different time zone who own the same stock and get the same dividend.

Absolutely let the best of the NHL play in the Olympics. The games have been awesome--like the 7th game of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Teams go all out, because it is essentially one game--not the best 4 out of 7.

I've lived through the years of USA amateurs playing every other country's pros--1980 was thrilling, but not what I prefer to see.

Someone put a muzzle on Bettman.

I agree it would be nice to have non pro players, but in the past that has not worked. Many country's have national teams that are basically pro players and these teams have historically been sent to compete in the Olympics against non-pro players. The rules need to be changed if non pro players are to be used. Pro players even the playing field, and have balanced things a lot. Having pro players compete have increased interest, and it is good for the sport and will increase interest in the National Hockey League. David Nall

We can never go back to using only "amateurs". Many countries (China, Russia and others) have teams of supposed amateurs that were all supported by their governments - i.e. the Soviet hockey team that were all in the "Army". Olympians should be the countries best athletes, at least the best that are willing to participate, regardless of how they make their living.

The Olympics should not allow professional athletes to participate...this goes for tennis and basketball. If I wanted to see an NHL game, I'd turn on ESPN. A lot of the athletes do have sponsors who help pay for their coaches, training and travel, but it's not the same. There are many Olympians who struggle to support themselves, and will go back to their normal jobs at Home Depot, or as Car Salesman, Teacher, etc. I'm sure there are plenty of college hockey players who will eventually go on to the NHL that are good enough to be Olympians...unfortunately, no country wants to lose....which is the bottom line, unfortunately.

Pros have been in the olympics long before they were permitted. Only the naive think that only "AMATEUR ATHLETES" competed. How many nations set up special athletic confederations to train the best of their people? Just as long as national pride is involved, the idea of amateurs is laughable.

the olympics show case the best athletes period. Does it matter that they get paid for what they do? there are hundreds of no NHL players that play in other leagues that make a living playing hockey.

If the NHLer can't par-take in the Olympics then you must count out the other paid pro's... this will leave you with Joe the plumber in net, Mike the mechanic at center etc.

What you have now is the best playing the best and representing their countries with sweat, blood and tears... this goes beyond any other achievement some of these players will ever experience.

GO CANADA GO!!!

Sorry to break the news to the naysayers, but most of the superior athletes you see in the Olympics are professional, in that they earn their living from their sport - their sport is their occupation. Believe it or not, for example, Nordic skiers from Austria, Finland etc. make more than the CEO of a small or medium sized US company. Bode Miller is a multimillionare from skiing (I believe I read that he has made more than $5 million from skiing.) As stated above, the Soviet's were professional; the Chinese curling team is paid, and paid well (while the Canadian's and US are not). I'm not saying that it's good or bad, it just is.

Bottom line: the days of "amateur" athletes in the Olympics is long since past - that boat left a long time ago and will not be back.

Therefore, you bet the NHL should send its players to the Olympics. It is the greatest demonstration of the sport, and can only enlarge the US and worldwide audience for the game.

Mr. Bettmen has, unfortunately, done his best to destroy the sport. Any man who takes his sport off of ESPN and gives it to OLN/Versus and NBC has clearly demonstrated an utter inability to increase the visability and profitability of the game. That, of course, is exactly explains why he will prevent NHL players from playing in the Olympics in the future.

Gary Bettman holds the distinction of being the worst commissioner of a sport in history, and the only person that could keep David Stern (NBA) from holding that spot. It does seem like a typical Bettman decision to want to keep the best marketing platform he could possibly get from continuing. Amazing.

There was no finer moment in sports history than when the US Olympic hockey team comprised of all amateurs beat the Russians at Lake Placid, NY in 1980. Perhaps it's time the United States made a statement again regarding professionals in the Olympics.

Anything that elevates interest in hockey should be supported. As a die hard hockey fan, I realize the Olympics disrupts the NHL schedule and can change the playoff race in the event of an injury to a key player. However, the hockey played in the Olympics by mostly NHL guys is fantastic and is a showcase for the NHL stars. The Olympics undeniably creates new hockey fans. Bettman needs get on board. Maybe if hockey continues to gain popularity we can see it on TV again on a channel that doesn't feature mostly hunting and fishing.

I think that any paid athlete has no business being in the olympics.  In figure skating once you go pro you are no longer eligible to compete in the olympics.  Same should hold true for all events in both the summer and winter olympics.  No NBA, NHL, MLB or any other professionals.  Regular people or college athletes only.  I do watch when the Men's Ice hockey is on.  I love Hockey.  I also liked watching when pros were not allowed to participate and it was the best hockey to watch.  I think Bettman needs to take a hike.  I think it is pretty clear he has no idea what he is doing when it comes to sports.  I don't know what it would take to have him removed but something has to be done about him.  He has wrecked a sport that did not have to have changes made.  I miss the fights, the rivalries, etc...  Go Red Wings!!!!

Using paid professional players takes the excitement out of the games. The pros will never be a miracle team like the 1980 team.

Quite simple solution, Canada, or even Quebec Province passes a law forbidding the NHL from interfering with their nations Sovereign right to field whatever team they feel like, lets see the NHL continue to exist when Ottawa shuts down the Maple Leafs, the Canucks, the Canadiens, etc. A little arm twisting by Canadian Politicians, and the Canadian Team owners will have Bettman fired before you can melt a Penguin's heart.

I seriously think all olympic games should be amateur..so no more dream teams in Basket ball, no more pros in baseball, soccer , hockey etc...But to be fare it woul dhave to be olympics to decide..for years we would loose and win silver in basketball till we realized that other countries would use pro players from around the world...and we would put in college players and a couple high school players and hope for the best...where as today its all about the money...millions of dollars spent ...just to have olympics..so it will never happen...now as for businesses like NHL MLS, MLB NBA etc...they can ban there players to play ...but odds of someone listening for a chance to represent there team would highly unlikely...because if u making 3mil a year and penalty is 100k ...wouldnt bother yah to go play to represent your country.

the 'pros shouldn't play' ship sailed years ago. look at tennis, basketball, etc. the nhl takes a break from games each year for the all star break-so every four years it's for the olympics instead... look at all the interest generated in hockey right now, one of the few olympic events i watch. creating more fans can only be a good thing for the nhl. it's worth the hassle.

Professional athletes are the "best of the best" in their own countries...they should be allowed to compete for the chance to be the best in the world. This includes professional hockey players. Besides, it's kind of fun to watch guys that normally hate each other's guts work together as a team...and so well.