With John Tavares second period knee injury against the Latvians Wednesday, he wasnt just lost for the rest of the Olympics, but also the rest of the NHL season. The blow for the New York Islanders was softened a little by the fact their season is already all but over, sitting 12 points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a 22-30-8 record. But imagine if the Islanders were in playoff contention, losing one of the best players in the league. Islanders general manager Garth Snow was none too happy about losing his superstar centre at an international competition. Speaking to Newsday on Thursday, Snow chastised the IIHF and IOC for wanting all the benefits of NHLers for nothing in return and even suggesting the organizations reimburse Islanders season ticket holders. Tavares injury, and Snows subsequent reaction – a sentiment likely shared by GMs around the NHL – may be enough for the league to halt their participation in the Olympics. In light of this and other injuries suffered in Sochi, is it time for the NHL to stop sending their players to the Winter Olympics? The 23-year-old Canadians season isnt the only casualty of the Winter Games, as the Florida Panthers have lost promising rookie Alexander Barkov to a knee injury playing for Finland, and veteran forward Thomas Kopecky to a concussion playing for Slovakia. And while Pavel Datsyuk played in every Russian game at the Olympics, an argument could be made that were it not for the Olympics in his home country, the 35-year-old would be resting his troublesome knee ahead of the Detroit Red Wings playoff push. The solution could come in the reincarnation of the World Cup of Hockey, to be played in late summer before the NHL season begins. While injuries would be as unavoidable then as they are now in the Olympics, players would be coming in fresher and would have more time to heal before training camps open in the fall. Theres nothing quite as momentous as playing for your country in the Olympics, as Steven Stamkos showed doing everything he could to get healthy in time for this years tournament, but a World Cup could be a compromise that keeps every party involved relatively happy. And for hockey nuts worried about the void if the NHL pulls out of the Olympics, ideas such as making the World Juniors, an increasingly popular tournament around the world, an Olympic event every fourth year may be enough to appease them. Should the NHL stop sending their players to the Winter Olympics? Youve heard what weve had to say, now its your turn. As always, its Your! Call. Nike Jerseys . Signs of a turnaround have emerged in this series at Minnesota. Brian Roberts had three doubles and a triple for the first four-extra-base-hit game of his 14-year career, and the Yankees used their bullpen to preserve a 6-5 win over the Twins on Friday. NHL Jerseys . They never thought it would take some blood, too. Kevin Love grabbed his 4,000th career rebound as part of a 19-point, 13-board effort to lead the Timberwolves over the Utah Jazz 112-97 on Tuesday night. https://www.cheapjerseysjustwholesale.com/. According to a report from ESPN, the Green Bay Packers have re-signed the cornerback to a four-year, $39 million deal with a $12. Custom Jerseys . After a 99-97 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, his Celtics coaches and teammates have only positive things to say about the Toronto-born rookie. China Jerseys . Viewers in the Canadiens region can watch the game on TSN Habs at 7:30pm et/8:30pm at.LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers began the season Down Under in Australia. Theyve arrived at the All-Star break on top of the NL West. Hyun-Jin Ryu struck out 10 and outpitched first-time All-Star Tyson Ross, Yasiel Puig singled home the only run and Los Angeles beat the San Diego Padres 1-0 on Sunday. A day after beating the Padres 1-0, the Dodgers did it again to take a one-game lead over San Francisco in the division race. They have overcome a 9 1/2-game deficit for the second year in a row despite numerous injuries. "I think its a testament to the work that our front office has done, gathering this group of people," said A.J. Ellis, who hit a winning sacrifice fly in the ninth Saturday night. "I think everybody knows from last years experience that it takes more than 25 guys to get where you want to go. And its about having the right people in those spots." "We kind of knew that this would all turn around and that the people in this room were capable of it. So we never lost that confidence, and I think we did a good job of sticking together," he said. Puig was ejected Saturday night for arguing a called third strike. He struck out his first two times up Sunday, then hit an RBI single in the sixth inning after Dee Gordon singled and stole his major league-leading 43rd base. Ryu (10-5) gave up two hits in six innings without a walk. The left-hander retired his first 11 batters and allowed only one hit through the first five innings, a two-out single in the fourth by Carlos Quentin. The Padres only other hit against him was a leadoff single through the box by Alexi Amarista in the sixth. "He had everything working from the get-go, all four pitches," Ellis said. "He used both of his breaking balls so effectively, and this was as strong a slider as Ive seen him throw this season." J.P. Howell relieved Brandon League in the seventh with runners at first and second annd retired Brooks Conrad on a lineout.dddddddddddd Kenley Jansen struggled to get his 27th save. He struck out striking out Jake Goebbert with runners at the corners, then fanned pinch-hitter Seth Smith to end it after a visit from manager Don Mattingly. "Basically, he just told me to go with my best stuff, be aggressive and attack them. And thats what I did," Jansen said. Ross (7-10) gave up six hits in seven innings, striking out nine and walking one. The Dodgers scored when Gordon singled with one out in the sixth and stole second. After Carl Crawford walked, Puig singled to centre. "I felt a little tired in the sixth, made a couple of mistakes, and they capitalized on them," Ross said. "Im continuing to learn and develop, and next time around I wont make those mistakes. Puig hit a slider that kind of backed up on me. Hes a big, strong guy and he basically muscled it through the infield." NOTES: Puig hasnt tried to steal a base in his last 26 games, and has been thrown out on his last three attempts. He is 7 for 14 this season and only 18 for 33 in the majors -- 55 per cent. "We know Yasiel is fast, but he hasnt proven to this point that he really knows how to steal a base," Mattingly said. "Ive seen a lot of guys that are fast who really dont know how to steal bases. The goal is not to get thrown out. I mean, if the base is there to be stolen, and the situation is right, then were going to allow him to run. If not, were not going to be running with him because we dont want to give up outs." ... Puig, a first-time All-Star, goes into the break with a .309 average -- 38 points lower than it was on June 1 -- and has struck out seven times in his last 14 at-bats. ... The Padres rotation coming out of the All-Star break will be Ian Kennedy, Ross and Odrisamer Despaigne for the home series with the Mets, and Eric Stults for the opener against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. ' ' '