World cup of hockey

[-TSS-]

How seriously do you Canadians take this tournament:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/eventhome.htm?location=/worldcup/2016

In my opinion the old Canada-cup should be resurrected. In that world cup those compilation teams are just rubbish.

[waldo]

as serious as it gets! I like the Team Europe presence just to see some of the better players from the 'lesser teams'. I don't particularly care for (the under 24) Team North America (TNA) as I'd like to see McDavid playing with the full Team Canada... "experts" predict TNA will do much better than when initially conceived.

[overthere]

It has little resonance overall or appeal to nationalism, with two of the teams not affiliated with countries.

It should be entertaining hockey, but simply cannot be as compelling as Olympic hockey. Fans will certainly notice the difference.

The co-sponsors-who will both take profit from the 'World Cup- are the NHL and the players union NHLPA. The existence of this tournament is a pretty clear message that the NHL or its players have no intention of attending the next winter Olympics. I don't think the players/NHL need or want to profit directly from attending the Olympics, but now they have to pay some very substantial costs out of their pockets- a new policy of IIHF and the IOC- they have strong reasons not to participate. The money made off Olympic hockey is now headed straight into IOC pockets. The World Cup is a stopgap.

[Boges]

This tournament is a joke. It's a way for the NHL and NHLPA to make actual money whereas they get ziltch from the Olympics or World Championships.

There are only 6 teams that have a realistic chance to win this tournament so that's all they invite, but you need 8, so they've fielded 2 all-star teams of North American Young Guns and European Players not from the Big 4.

Kind of dumb. I'm cheering for the Young Gun team just so it makes the organizers look silly.

[Boges]

It has little resonance overall or appeal to nationalism, with two of the teams not affiliated with countries.

It should be entertaining hockey, but simply cannot be as compelling as Olympic hockey. Fans will certainly notice the difference.

The co-sponsors-who will both take profit from the 'World Cup- are the NHL and the players union NHLPA. The existence of this tournament is a pretty clear message that the NHL or its players have no intention of attending the next winter Olympics. I don't think the players/NHL need or want to profit directly from attending the Olympics, but now they have to pay some very substantial costs out of their pockets- a new policy of IIHF and the IOC- they have strong reasons not to participate. The money made off Olympic hockey is now headed straight into IOC pockets. The World Cup is a stopgap.

There's indirect attention paid to NHL players during the Olympics where casual or non hockey fans will be watching hockey.

But with the next two Olympics being held on the other end of the Globe and games will be played in the middle of the night in North America, that buzz will be blunted for the next decade plus.

But this sham of a tournament isn't the answer. Why not have a proper World Championship that's not played during the NHL playoffs? Where teams have to qualify to play in the 7th and 8th spots.

Edited June 6, 2016 by Boges

[-TSS-]

Russia has announced that the KHL will not take a break during the tournament. Does that then mean that they are going to send a second class team to the tournament. To me that kind of seems like they are scared of having their asses kicked by the Canadians again and are resorting to the obvious excuse; not having the best team in the tournament.

[Boges]

Russia has announced that the KHL will not take a break during the tournament. Does that then mean that they are going to send a second class team to the tournament. To me that kind of seems like they are scared of having their asses kicked by the Canadians again and are resorting to the obvious excuse; not having the best team in the tournament.

The best Russians are in the NHL though.

Only 4 KHLers

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/world-cup-of-hockey/team-russia-names-final-world-cup-hockey-roster/

Edited June 6, 2016 by Boges

[waldo]

It has little resonance overall or appeal to nationalism, with two of the teams not affiliated with countries.

nonsense - it will be highly popular... of course, any team representing Canada will/would have the nationalist appeal - Team Canada, ya think! The best players will be there - Team Europe and TNA will provide an alternate interest angle whether they have chance in the tournament or not.

.

[Boges]

nonsense - it will be highly popular... of course, any team representing Canada will/would have the nationalist appeal - Team Canada, ya think! The best players will be there - Team Europe and TNA will provide an alternate interest angle whether they have chance in the tournament or not.

.

You getting paid to pimp this tournament from Rogers?

I don't recall the nationalistic eurphoria that resulted from the 2004 WC win compared to any of the 2002, 2010 and 2014 Olympic victories.

In most Olympics that have had NHL players, a team that's not part of the Big 6 have made waves. Remember when the Swiss took Canada to a shootout in Vancouver? Or when Latvia held Canada to only a 2-1 Victory in Sochi? OR in Salt Lake City where Belarus beats the favourite Sweden.

These 2 fake teams are just ways to get more NHL players into the tournament.

Edited June 6, 2016 by Boges

[waldo]

You getting paid to pimp this tournament from Rogers?

I have an opinion; I offered it. Not sure why you feel so threatened to the point you make this low-brow comment.

.

[Boges]

I have an opinion; I offered it. Not sure why you feel so threatened to the point you make this low-brow comment.

.

I guess because it's rather unique. Almost like you're being a Devil's Advocate.

Your political leanings would indicate that you'd oppose an event that was made purely to make money for an already rich pro league in lieu of a very popular amateur tournament that usually showcases the best v best in many international sports.

Edited June 6, 2016 by Boges

[overthere]

of course, any team representing Canada will/would have the nationalist appeal

Then why do the World Championships have poor TV ratings every year?

And do I cheer for the Canadian team, or the other team with a lot of Canadians on it?

No, it is a marketing event to promote the NHL and make money- and to distract from the reality that it is unlikely that . Canuclkistanis love hockey, but the Winter Olys overall are a poor cousin to the Summer Games. Looks like both the NHL and the IOC have made their decision, and it is purely economic.

Russia has announced that the KHL will not take a break during the tournament. Does that then mean that they are going to send a second class team to the tournament. To me that kind of seems like they are scared of having their asses kicked by the Canadians again and are resorting to the obvious excuse; not having the best team in the tournament.

There are many players in the KHL that would have played in this World Cup, so it will be even more watered down. The timing is pretty terrible for the players. The reason the KHL won't go to the World Cup is the same reason the NHL won't go to the Olympics: no benefit as in no money.

[Chrissy1979]

I'm not sure whether I'll cheer for Team Canada or Team NA. What if that's the gold medal game. I'll be so confused.

[overthere]

Have you seen the Rogers Sportsnet ads promoting the tournament? If you haven't , you will soon. Rogers has a multi billion future riding on the health of the NHL. We are going to hear about the Leafs -bound Auston Matthews every day now, and as the World Cup approaches it will ramp up to many many times per day.

The funniest ads are the ones about teams 'playing for the name on their chests', meaning their national flags. They don't mention the two teams that are invented by the NHL/NHLPA Communications department and have zero national affinity.

Usually players -many of them- opt out of these lesser tournaments because they don't get paid and they have no meaning. This one might attract more, but only because the NHLPA will get a big payday. Players also participate in lesser tourneys (World Championships a prime example)because they are basically tryouts for the real deal- the Olympic team which is the best of the best. But this Septemeber tournament is not that, since the NHL is almost certainly not attending the next Winter Games until somebody pays up, and says they are sorry.

[Boges]

How do you grow a game internationally when you only allow the 6 nations where the sport already has a large presence?

The more I think about this tournament the less likely I am to watch it, it's a farce.

[overthere]

How do you grow a game internationally when you only allow the 6 nations where the sport already has a large presence?

The more I think about this tournament the less likely I am to watch it, it's a farce.

I am a bit surprised that the IIHF has not done more to get the NHL into the next Olympics. They appear to have a good relationship with the NHL. Obviously the IIHF takes the stance that the World Championships is the premier event for the three years between Olys. The hockey world knows knows that is simply not the case. The Stanley Cup is far better hockey than any World Championship.

The NHL Olympic cost is around $10 million for insurance, travel and lodging costs. It seems like peanuts, especially considering it has been paid for every Olympics since the NHL started playing- was it 1996? It seems like peanuts when mens hockey is the premier event at the winter Olys- I know I won't be tuning in to watch much luge or winter biathlon in 2016.

[Boges]

I am a bit surprised that the IIHF has not done more to get the NHL into the next Olympics. They appear to have a good relationship with the NHL. Obviously the IIHF takes the stance that the World Championships is the premier event for the three years between Olys. The hockey world knows knows that is simply not the case. The Stanley Cup is far better hockey than any World Championship.

The NHL Olympic cost is around $10 million for insurance, travel and lodging costs. It seems like peanuts, especially considering it has been paid for every Olympics since the NHL started playing- was it 1996? It seems like peanuts when mens hockey is the premier event at the winter Olys- I know I won't be tuning in to watch much luge or winter biathlon in 2016.

Because the next Olympics is in South Korea and the one afterwards is in China. Having an Olympics in Europe or North America is good enough for the NHL to invest in it but not in South Asia.

The popularity of the Olympics is going to take a nose dive in the coming decades. After this year's Brazil Olympics (which has its own controversy with Disease and Political strife) the next Olympics will be in China. That's 3 in a row in South Asia. 2024 will likely be in Europe.

But the Winter may not come back to North America until 2026.

I think the best option for the IIHF is to make the World Juniors an Olympic tournament every 4 years, at least for the next two Olympics. At least Canadians care about that tournament.

[-TSS-]

I understand that the intention is to start playing this tournament a bit more regularly than every 12 years, once every 4 years perhaps and the next time the tournament is going to be arranged there are proper countries filling the spots of the 7th and the 8th teams.

[overthere]

Because the next Olympics is in South Korea and the one afterwards is in China. Having an Olympics in Europe or North America is good enough for the NHL to invest in it but not in South Asia.

The popularity of the Olympics is going to take a nose dive in the coming decades. After this year's Brazil Olympics (which has its own controversy with Disease and Political strife) the next Olympics will be in China. That's 3 in a row in South Asia. 2024 will likely be in Europe.

But the Winter may not come back to North America until 2026.

I think the best option for the IIHF is to make the World Juniors an Olympic tournament every 4 years, at least for the next two Olympics. At least Canadians care about that tournament.

The location of the Olympics in Korea is not an issue. Hockey was very popular in Nagano, Turin and Sochi: all 'not in prime time' locations for the most part. In Alberta during the Sochi Olys they changed the drinking laws temporarily to allow sport bars to open at 3 AM! I watched two games in packed bars in the middle of the night with 'beer and waffle' specials. There is some influecne of course: Korea is not a hockey hotbed.

No, what it is about is the money. That means the Chinses Olympic committee will instruct the IOC to make NHL hockey happen for their turn in 2022.

The NHL does invest heavily in all Olympics so far: they shut down a lucrative pro league to do it, and risk exhaustion and injury to their very best players. But the IIHF and IOC changed their stance on paying for the pros to attend, and for the NHL it was too much. In fact, the NHL would most certainly have not gone to Sochi, but the Russian players as a group said they were going to their homegrown Olys, not matter what.. And the IIHF ended up paying for insurance and travel, as usual.

Nobody but the Canadians care about the World Juniors, which is a shame since it is great hockey. When it is held in Canada, its a raoring finacial success. Anywhere else: the stands are often empty. It isn't carried on TV in the US for the most part. The games are in the middle fo the night in EWurope, so few watch them there.

Canada will probably send some kind of halfassed team from juniors, AHL and pros playing for third rate Euro teams. JUst like in the pat, when Canadas 'National Team' went there very four years to embarass themselves mostly.

I actually think the NHL really wants to play in the Olympics overall, it is a terrific showcase since all the best players play in the NHL. But as both Bettman and Daly have pointed out, It is a really hard sell to NHL owners to take the NHL on tour, at their own expense.

Edited June 7, 2016 by overthere

[-TSS-]

I'd also rather have Slovakia and Germany instead of those compilation-teams.

[overthere]

I'd also rather have Slovakia and Germany instead of those compilation-teams.

You have the mistaken belief that this is a national competition. It is not. It is a showcase and fundraiser for the NHL/NHLPA. And it is also a cookie thrown to fans to thwart backlash at their upcoming announcement that the NHL won't be going to the Olympics.

.By having weak sisters like Slovakia and Germany send teams, it would eliminate participation of many European players entirely. Of the players named to Team Europe, 8 of them are not from Germany and Slovakia. Of the players named, only 2 are from Germany and 5 from Slovakia. The only logical conclusion is that Team Europe is a much stronger team than either Germany or Slovakia would have been. Neither country has enough quality NHL players to compete at this tournament.

[Boges]

You have the mistaken belief that this is a national competition. It is not. It is a showcase and fundraiser for the NHL/NHLPA. And it is also a cookie thrown to fans to thwart backlash at their upcoming announcement that the NHL won't be going to the Olympics.

.By having weak sisters like Slovakia and Germany send teams, it would eliminate participation of many European players entirely. Of the players named to Team Europe, 8 of them are not from Germany and Slovakia. Of the players named, only 2 are from Germany and 5 from Slovakia. The only logical conclusion is that Team Europe is a much stronger team than either Germany or Slovakia would have been. Neither country has enough quality NHL players to compete at this tournament.

Then don't call it the WORLD Cup of Hockey. Call it the Canada Cup again.

[overthere]

Or just sort out the Olympic nonsense and dump this joke tournament.

Actually, it will be sorted by the China Olys in 2022 because the Chinese will force the IOC off their high horse.

[Boges]

The more this event gets promoted, the more I am annoyed what the NHL and Rogers are trying to do. Don't call it the World Cup of Hockey. Call it the NHLPA Cup brought to you by Rogers.

The ad actually has some Czech fan saying "We'll always have Nagano". That's all they could show to pretend the Czechs are a World Hockey power.

I would feel no national pride in Canada winning this tournament. The argument I heard Bettman use on the radio this week is that this Other Euro team and U24 North America team are better than any other national team that could have qualified.

First of all, who says we need only 8 teams? And why is it only in Toronto again? It's just a publicity stunt to help Rogers recoup some of their losses. Rogers doesn't think people will watch the Swiss v Czechs or the Swedes v Germany and it means more NHLPA members wont be playing so they've streamlined it to this novelty event.

I may still watch out of pure curiosity but any rooting interest will be completely lost.

[-TSS-]

Why was the Canada-cup buried? It was a perfect workable format and the tournaments were classic. Especially the 1987 finals.