World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team Europe
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This concept could be done in the NHL playoffs as well! Just give a wild card slot to a team comprised of the star players whose teams were not good enough to make it to the playoffs.
Honestly, this format is garbage. Team Europe and Young Stars do not belong in national competition, at least not if its trying to be a legitimate one.
Honestly, this format is garbage. Team Europe and Young Stars do not belong in national competition, at least not if its trying to be a legitimate one.
Ilovemymum
recreational MD
- Feb 17, 2010
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As a European, I could not agree more. Hope IIHF strikes back and invite USA & Canada to team up with Mexico.Slovakia & Switzerland could easily be contenders for medals at least. If they played in Europe cup contenders. As a Norwegian I hope Zuccarello stays home.
Shootmaster_44
Registered User
You mean the country that Sports Illustrated figures will be a gold medal contender in 2020? Canada is up and coming in basketball and depending how the Americans send, Canada could beat them.
As far as Team Europe, I don't see this as a good compromise. If the NHL decided to lump the minor nations like say France, Poland etc. in a Team Europe I'd be ok with that. But excluding bottom end top tier teams is a slap in the face to those teams.
I wouldn't. I'm already opposed to foreign born and raised naturalized players. I couldn't care less if a Canada-Argentina-Brazil PanAmericanHolyTrinity whupped the USA 150-100 (not gonna happen anyway) because it's not Canada, it's Canada as a spare part/accessory tool... Wiggins would probably be the only Canadian on the roster anyway. That's likely how Vanek, Kopitar, Zuccarello or Girgensons would feel. Spare parts.
I'd be even more upset if I was an Argentinian on that group. They don't need the help of Brazil or Canada to be respectable. Slovakia and Switzerland definitely DO NOT need players from other countries to make theirs competitive. Ask anyone that's ever watched any international hockey. Canada vs Slovakia in 2010 and Canada vs Switzerland in 2006 were some of the most exciting hockey games I've ever watched.
Kopitar should be ashamed to even consider playing in this tournament. It's not Slovenia - there'll likely be ONE Slovenian player on the 23 man roster. His dad would probably kick his ass for even considering it and wasting his time.
Any of these players would be far better served representing their actual countries, heritages and cultures at the WHC than shooting wads for a frankenstein team at this unsanctioned mickey mouse event. Does this even count for IIHF rankings? Are any of the results recorded in the books?
Done deal or not, people are never going to hear the end of it and it isn't just from a vocal minority. It's the vast majority. Only a few people think this is a good idea, look throughout the comments around the web.
slovakiasnextone
Registered User
A lot of the disadvantages of this team have been already mentioned, one thing that hasn't is that starting from u16 onwards the Swiss and Slovaks play each other a few times each year in every category up to seniors.
I'd go even as far as to dare to say that (depsithe big brother-little brother rivalry with Czech republic) Switzerland has been Slovakia's biggest hockey rival in recent years in many ways.
Being supposed to cheer for a team that includes players of these two teams in a competition that aspires to be serious international competition does feel just a bit weird.
I'd go even as far as to dare to say that (depsithe big brother-little brother rivalry with Czech republic) Switzerland has been Slovakia's biggest hockey rival in recent years in many ways.
Being supposed to cheer for a team that includes players of these two teams in a competition that aspires to be serious international competition does feel just a bit weird.
Canada vs. Slovakia at the World Championships in 2012 was hugely memorable, too.
That game already is the stuff of (contemporary) Slovak hockey legend. Slovakia defeated Canada, chock-full with NHL superstars on its roster (captain Getzlaf, Perry, Keith et al), in the quarterfinals, with a come-from-behind victory in the 3rd period. With a few minutes left in the game, Sekera fires on the power-play, and Handzuš deflects for the game-winning goal. 
bert
Registered User
Its absolutely mind blowing that they have decided to go forward with this. I hope everyone boycotts. But I guess the same guys that are keeping teams in Phoenix and Florida are behind this so it shouldnt be a surprise to anyone.
I just hope that Finland aint claiming the gold in this tournament. It will be so fudging anticlamatic.
hutdevil
Registered User
WingsFan95
Registered User
Who else thinks this team will be largely comprised of third liners and minor league players who just want to get the extra pay cheque and playing time?
I honestly think it'll be a tryout of sorts for guys feeling they've been underused. Expect them to finish last.
I honestly think it'll be a tryout of sorts for guys feeling they've been underused. Expect them to finish last.
Tell me about it. Not being able to win a proper best-on-best tournament, and then winning this gong show would be so laden with cruel irony that I can't tell whether I'd laugh or cry.
That's actually something that could end up happening if the NHL players decide to play in the Olympics (which is likely considering the amount of money the IIHF is willing to pour in to ensure this). The qualifying tournament for the Olympics is September 1-4 for all teams not automatically qualified. This means that players like Anze Kopitar, Mats Zuccarello, Thomas Vanek, Frans Nielsen, and Zemgus Girgensons among others will likely be attending to national duties. Participating in two tournaments right before the start of the regular season would be both an injury hazard and pose the issue of fatigue and would likely outweight a couple thousand dollars to represent "rest of Europe."
QnebO
Wheel, snipe, celly
- Feb 11, 2010
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This. I hope the Leftover team wins it. Victory from this tournament wouldn't be positive feeling for us, as we have so many silvers from real tournaments.
Pominville Knows
Registered User
I can fully understand the bitterness for slovakian and swiss fans, but how does that necessarily take anything away for us fans of actual top six hockey nations?
Canada & US won't be playing at full strength, either. Who says some of their best players can't be younger than 24? (Look at Doughty in Vancouver.)
It's an irrelevant, all-star Mickey Mouse tournament.
It's an irrelevant, all-star Mickey Mouse tournament.
Pominville Knows
Registered User
Canada & US won't be playing at full strength, either. Who says some of their best players can't be younger than 24? (Look at Doughty in Vancouver.)
It's an irrelevant, all-star Mickey Mouse tournament.
I think its mainly marginal players that are under 24. Equal older players takes their spots.
"Mainly" means Canada and the US won't be playing at full strength, period. I'd hate to imagine Canada in Vancouver, or the Kings during their 2012 Cup run, "mainly" without Doughty, who would not be allowed to play for them under the Mickey Mouse rules. Why exclude guys like Ekblad or McDavid and Eichel even before the tournament begins? It's pretty likely they might make their "A" national teams if they were allowed to.
Pominville Knows
Registered User
I dont understand why you're talking about Drew Doughty, he will be on team Canada. Its more relevant to talk about the 2016 players, and i dont see too many under-23 that are clear cut for team Canada and team USA. There are a few players that could make it, but they are easily replaced by comparable older ones. Its not an "irrelevant" tournament, i mean its not an ultimate one but the squads will be very strong indeed.
"Too many".
That's exactly the point. Canada and the US won't be playing at full strength, so it's not a true best-on-best tournament, so it's a useless Mickey Mouse circus.So why bother organizing a tourney that doesn't try to be "the ultimate one"? Even the World Championships have higher ambitions than that (such as during the full NHL lockout season, when all players from all countries were available for playing).
Yes indeed, just like at the NHL all-star weekends.
Amazing squads! Best hockey ever! (Not.)
Being an "actual top six nation" doesn't mean we're far above the rest, to the point that competition is futile. I wouldn't feel satisfied with a good result in a tournament without countries like Slovakia and Switzerland fully represented, considering that other events have proven that they're more than capable of competing with us exalted top sixers. Latvia, Germany, Denmark, Norway and France should also be represented in any event that purports to be a meaningful international tournament. This is at least my opinion of it. That said, it might still be a successful event if the hockey is good, but I won't take it very seriously until at least the two countries you mentioned are included.
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