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World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team North America (Part II)

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Kranix said:
Think of this as an NHL All-star-game tournament. It doesn't matter.
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Well, it is international hockey. Even with the two hybrid teams, it's going to be very competitive and fast paced hockey.

I can guarantee you intensity level will be high.
 
snipes said:
With Hall snubbed from Team Canada, this is my team I'm cheering for. Of course unless they have to play Canada. That will make me sick to my stomach seeing 97 playing against Canada.

If Bettman does that to us, he has to let the guys go to the Olympics.
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This tournament just doesn't have the same feel as an Olympics so I feel no shame in cheering for the "Young Guns", even over Team Canada. Even though I'd much rather see McDavid wearing a Canadian jersey as opposed to playing against them, I'm actually really looking forward to watching him in this tournament. Especially against Team Canada.

What I've noticed most from watching just about all of McDavid's games this year is that he's most effective when he's controlling the play. He's at his best when the puck is on his stick and he can wheel and deal as he wish. It's the reason, imo, that we didn't see much chemistry between McDavid and Hall, because both players like carrying the puck.

When McDavid played in the World Championships, while he still had a very good tournament, I think he played too humble and tried to rely on his teammates too much. Probably because he was playing with a more experienced group who has been around a bit longer than McDavid. There were times when he had the opportunity to take over a game and control the play he decided to dish off to a linemate or drop it to the point. I think he would have had more success if he had to drive the net more and held onto the puck more often himself.

The difference with this tournament is that McDavid is playing with a bunch of his peers. I think he'll have more confidence and he'll understand that he's their go to guy and you'll just see him control games like we haven't seen him do much since Junior. Add to that the motivation he'll have from playing against the best players in the world not to mention against the best players from his own country, and I honestly believe this tournament will be the best we've seen of McDavid since turning pro.
 
True Hockey Fan said:
So tell about it - if somehow the NHL World Cup is the only thing that comes close to the olympics for say, next 10 years, you won't watch it 10 years? Yeah, I really doubt it. On top of that, NHL wants to have national teams only in 2020, as it's been said many times.
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Give me a break. The joke teams will be back in 2020, you can bank on it.

Unfortunately there are enough casual hockey fans willing to watch, and even pay for, the joke teams which will see the NHL regard their inclusion as a success.

And do you really think the NHL is going to pay for a qualifying tournament in 2020 so that more non-NHLers can compete? Do you not see how at odds that is with the NHL's business model?

If anything we'll see the Czechs dropped for the sake of some other monstrosity of a team like Team "Europeans about-to-be-drafted."
 
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WhiskeyYourTheDevils said:
I'd have no qualms seeing NHL and KHL teams compete, but your comparison is flawed because it gives an undue advantage to teams.
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My scenario wasn't whether NHL and KHL teams should compete - it was whether KHL teams belong in the NHL playoffs.

You make it sound like the U23 team doesn't belong, but according to who? Are age thresholds any more arbitrary than national borders?
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Then do away with the whole national team concept if that's your logic. Why not turn the world cup into Team Toews vs Team Ovechkin vs Team Domi like the NHL all star game?

International events are for national teams. How I am even needing to explain this to you?
 
Watch Sweden be the first team to lose to these fellas (not trying to downplay them but it's no fun losing to a bunch of kids, no matter their pedigree).
 
snipes said:
Well, it is international hockey. Even with the two hybrid teams, it's going to be very competitive and fast paced hockey.

I can guarantee you intensity level will be high.
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It's not international hockey as there are teams which don't even represent any country participating.
 
Funny how the goaltending was supposed to be the weak place..

I suppose right now Murray should be #1. What an experience for him to play such a long play-offs and the Stanley Cup final.
 
defence is questionable but if you have a player like McDavid you have a chance at winning.
 
The North American team will be very tough for Russia. They have speed, talent, and they are canadians-americans, which means similar style of game, physical, hard, they are clearly more suited for NA ice then a team like Russia. Remember they have very good coaching stuff.

I'm looking forward to see this team so much.
 
True Hockey Fan said:
The North American team will be very tough for Russia. They have speed, talent, and they are canadians-americans, which means similar style of game, physical, hard, they are clearly more suited for NA ice then a team like Russia. Remember they have very good coaching stuff.

I'm looking forward to see this team so much.
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I am too. Despite all of the belly-aching about the legitimacy of this tournament I think it will be very entertaining. It would be great if the Young Gunz can pull off an upset or two.
 
Rabid Ranger said:
I am too. Despite all of the belly-aching about the legitimacy of this tournament I think it will be very entertaining. It would be great if the Young Gunz can pull off an upset or two.
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I am not sure how much of an upset it will be.

Goddamn, there is quite a bit of talent there.
 
In my opinion, motivation and the overall attitude can and will do everything. It's always about the team game. The overall sense and knowing about what the team is there for, and they have the right people to get them excited about it. You have McLellan, DeBoer, Tippett, and also Jon Cooper in the coaching stuff. With as much great people behind the bench, the fresh stanley cup winner in goal, pretty good all-around defense, and incredibly talented, and well-rounded offense, they gotta be taken very seriously.
 
I, like many (most) others do not agree with this kind of format for a supposed international tournament.

However, I have to admit to being very intrigued about both the young guns and team Europe entries.

Also,the hockey should be very high level so I for one have to fess up that I will be watching the tournament.

I just won't be able to help myself.

Feel a little guilty about it but it is what it is, I just can't resist.

When it comes to booze, broads and high level hockey, I'm a weak man.
 
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