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Keith YandleKeith Yandle

The 2026 Gold Medal will grow US hockey by bringing in kids from non-traditional states

The 1980 Olympic gold medal meant so much for guys like me... This game right now, what it can mean for a sport. You're going to get kids from different cultures, different backgrounds playing hockey that never did. It was 12 states represented [on this team]. The 1980 teams was probably strictly Michigan, Minnesota and Massachusetts. This effect is going to take us even further.

The long-term impact on registration numbers and NHL draft picks from non-traditional states will take years to verify.

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Void
Feb 23, 2026
#20283
Big CatBig Cat

Hockey is only America's fourth most important sport and we still beat Canada

I choose to win with class. Does it hurt for Canada that I graciously said hockey is our fourth like the fourth sport we're best at? We're football, baseball, basketball... and then hockey. I love hockey, but it's our fourth most important sport. And Canada, Canada's everything. And we fucking beat you. And we have the gold.

Subjective ranking of sport importance, though commonly cited in US TV ratings and participation.
Win
Feb 23, 2026
#20284
Big CatBig Cat

Olympic coaches should receive medals along with the athletes

Did you know that the coaches don't get medals? That's bullshit. Bizarre. [PFT: They get the stuffed animal though.] Oh man. [Big Cat:] Could you imagine being a Canadian and that is your sport and it's everything... and then afterwards they're like, 'Hey, here's a Labu Booo.'

It is a factual rule of the IOC that only athletes receive medals, not coaches.
Loss
Feb 23, 2026
#20736
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Norway shouldn't count in the Winter Olympic medal standings because they invented all the sports

Norway's like the friend that's like, 'Hey, do you want to come to my house and play all my video games and I'll beat you at all of them?' That's what Norway does. If you take out Norway, which you should, we [the US] dominated these Olympics.

The take is satirical and based on the premise of excluding a top competitor to change the standings.

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Keith YandleKeith Yandle

The Hurricanes are a true old-school hockey team

I've totally switched my tune on them. The way that they play... Rod the Ball fun group to watch just 'cause they all play the same way. They're like a true old school hockey team that everyone, you know, the saying, everyone ropes, everybody rides, nobody rides for free.

This describes the team's known identity and culture.
Win
Keith YandleKeith Yandle

The Golden Knights are a ruthless and cutthroat organization

Vegas is very, very cutthroat and they've proven that... if you're not producing for it, they'll get rid of you... They trading all their draft picks because they wanna win. They wanna win now. And I, I don't see it stopping.

Vegas's history of trading favorites like Fleury and Marchessault supports this 'ruthless' reputation.
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Keith YandleKeith Yandle

Mitch Marner will be the player everyone in hockey roots for to win the Cup

I think everybody in hockey except for Toronto, people are rooting for Mitch... with the abuse that he's taken in the media, I think he's a guy you want, you wanna see him win that cup... He just looks like he's playing with the house's money right now.

In this timeline, Marner is a Golden Knight. Rooting interest is subjective.