World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team North America

[FiLe]

Hey you might not like the format but having a NA U23 and rest of Europe is going to ensure a more "best on best" than having the Swiss, Slovak and Danish teams instead and have Kopitar not playing at all right?

If you just want to see the best players competing and don't care about nationalities... may I suggest something? Should be very easy to do for anyone with a correctly tuned TV set.

Ready? Here it comes...


Watch the friggin' league.

For those not in the know, that's best-on-best hockey, no silly national restrictions, and it runs every year from October to June.

 

[DSuttersface]

Hopefully the Swedes, Finns and Russians will have too much self-respect to lose to such a mickey mouse team and will quickly eliminate them to save us from a potential Canadians vs Canada abomination.

I can't agree with this enough. I really want the u-23 team out in the first game so the tournament at least looks like a tournament and not some stupid gimmick the league threw in their. My blood boils over this stinking format. I really hope they pay attention to all the backlash they're getting and will continue to get over this pathetic system.

why would you want Candians against Canadians or Americans against Americans. I don't understand what was going through their minds to make them format it like this. There are just some mind boggling things that people do, and you scratch your head and wonder what the hell where they thinking. this is one of those times.

 

[Canuckistani]

I don't understand what was going through their minds to make them format it like this.

I suspect it's because the more NHLers take part, the less organizers will have to share revenue with other leagues.

In other words they're willing to wreck their own event for the sake of retaining a few more dollars. Unbelievable really.

 

[Hardyvan123]

If you just want to see the best players competing and don't care about nationalities... may I suggest something? Should be very easy to do for anyone with a correctly tuned TV set.

Ready? Here it comes...


Watch the friggin' league.

For those not in the know, that's best-on-best hockey, no silly national restrictions, and it runs every year from October to June.

lets see all the same players spread out over 30 teams or 8 teams...mmmm which is best on best again?

Sure the NHL is the "best" league in the world but that doesn't take away from the upcoming World Cup being the "best" best on best does it?

 

[FiLe]

lets see all the same players spread out over 30 teams or 8 teams...mmmm which is best on best again?

In this case, six or four or two would be even better, hmm?

There's no justifying this particular format, unless you're a... well... better not say it out loud. This tournament simply is an abomination.

 

[xxxx]

the hate is laughable. That's all I can say about that. Milions of people will be watching that and it WILL be interesting. And is anyone going to tell me that those people who care are idiots? Then go, say it loud. Maybe they have just a different point of view, that is not necessarily a wrong one. It's sad that hockey fans can't really enjoy hockey like that.

Not to mention that players will obviously care, in my opinion it's just a myth that they won't. Sure, some players maybe were a bit disappointed at first, even I would be probably, but that doesn't change the uniqueness of this format and the interestingness of playing Team Europe or the young, talented NA team. Nothing like this has ever happened before, even though I bet almost every hockey fan have always imagined what it would be like if those B-level teams like Germany, Slovenia, Norway or Denmark, could make their own team, what would the competitiveness be like, how strong would the team be like....and here we can actually see something like this. Or we always talk about NA vs Europe match. Here we have something a bit similar, to see an all-star NA team, even though U-23, still loaded with talent, playing against experienced teams.

I'm pretty sure that players will get excited as it is something that is unique and I have no doubt that they will be motivated enough. I mean, it's their game, they love the game, and everyone who has ever played something, even just with friends in school, must know that when you love the game, you just want to play and win, no matter who you are playing with. I think people underestimate the competitive spirit here. I really don't know how can anyone be so sure that they won't give a damn, etc. Even before this type of WC, in 2004, when the format was more olympics-like, you would find people, who argued that the WC was meaningless, or that even the players from European countries actually didn't care that much, all types of this ****, even though you could see quite the opposite on the ice.

 

[JackSlater]

I get your point, and I wouldn't like if the World Cup should replace the Olympics in a long-term (perfect scenario for me is WC-OG-WC-OG), but to me it's an interesting idea to try at least. And as I said, the actual hockey on the ice is what matters to me. I just seem to disagree with the most here, and I think that all the players are competitive and will play their best. I know I would.

Alternating between best on best Olympics and legitimate World Cups would be ideal.

Here's an interesting factoid, a retweet read... in 4 years time (and I'm paraphrasing a tad for my own amusement) if the NHL wants to continue with this stupid format, Connor McDavid will play on the U23 team AGAIN. I realized that the slick NY City lawyers running the NHL were a tad intellectually challenged when Rogers conned them into that TV deal, but I have to admit, I'm surprised with the new level of dumbness they've achieved. Kudos to Bettman, Collins and the rest of your crack marketing dimwits.

I actually would like that to happen. People generally know that Canada isn't going to be significantly affected by this idiotic gimmick, so many will just disregard it as a strange quirk. In 2020 McDavid will quite possibly be the best Canadian player... can you imagine the reaction if he isn't allowed to play for Canada? Imagine Crosby not being able to play in 2010, or better yet Gretzky's two terms on the Young Gunz in 1981 and 1984. The public would appropriately rip the NHL apart.

Hey you might not like the format but having a NA U23 and rest of Europe is going to ensure a more "best on best" than having the Swiss, Slovak and Danish teams instead and have Kopitar not playing at all right?

The Olympics in Beijing should be very interesting in terms of hockey as well, since national teams is the real best on best.

The NHL does that too. Why bother even inviting national teams then? Just draw teams randomly or pick eight captains and let them pick their teams.

If you just want to see the best players competing and don't care about nationalities... may I suggest something? Should be very easy to do for anyone with a correctly tuned TV set.

Ready? Here it comes...


Watch the friggin' league.

For those not in the know, that's best-on-best hockey, no silly national restrictions, and it runs every year from October to June.

Exactly, the desire to see the best players in the world facing off against each other is well sated already.

 

[FiLe]

Those who don't get the "hate", here's the point:

If you just want to see the best players in the world square off and see who comes out on top, you can either a) watch the existing product, namely, the NHL or b) come up with a tournament where teams are drawn together with no restrictions on nationality whatsoever.

International hockey is NOT about that, however. Instead of seeing the world's best hockey players, the charm in it is about seeing the world's best hockey nations face off against each other, using whatever players they have been able to produce.

And to sate that need, you'll have to watch... well, something else than this. World's best hockey nations ATM are Canada, Sweden, USA, Russia, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Switzerland. They very assuredly are NOT Canada, Sweden, USA, Russia, Finland, Czech Republic, "Team NA YoungStarz" and "Team Euro Leftovers". Those last two may be better teams than the NTs of Slovakia and Switzerland, but they are still not nations. Which means all charm is eliminated.

 

[Filatov2Kovalev2Bonk]

(...)

why would you want Candians against Canadians or Americans against Americans. I don't understand what was going through their minds to make them format it like this. There are just some mind boggling things that people do, and you scratch your head and wonder what the hell where they thinking. this is one of those times.

Kid appeal. Grab the teen-young adult eyeballs and attach them to this team, then get them to follow the NHL team tied to whichever player they like best. All about $$.

 

[OG]

Bowman and Chiarelli named GMs, so we know who'll ultimately be picking out the rosters.

Wonder if there will be any bad blood between Bowman and Saad due to the trade...

Doesn't matter if there is or not. Saad was on stage representing the team today. He's an absolute lock. Bet he gets a letter too.

 

[Hardyvan123]

Those who don't get the "hate", here's the point:

If you just want to see the best players in the world square off and see who comes out on top, you can either a) watch the existing product, namely, the NHL or b) come up with a tournament where teams are drawn together with no restrictions on nationality whatsoever.

International hockey is NOT about that, however. Instead of seeing the world's best hockey players, the charm in it is about seeing the world's best hockey nations face off against each other, using whatever players they have been able to produce.

And to sate that need, you'll have to watch... well, something else than this. World's best hockey nations ATM are Canada, Sweden, USA, Russia, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Switzerland. They very assuredly are NOT Canada, Sweden, USA, Russia, Finland, Czech Republic, "Team NA YoungStarz" and "Team Euro Leftovers". Those last two may be better teams than the NTs of Slovakia and Switzerland, but they are still not nations. Which means all charm is eliminated.

Sorry but the Czechs, Slovakia and Switzerland are not part of the best nations there are there because someone has to be the 5,6,7 best nations in the world.

The tournament is trying to make the bottom feeders better and thus make the competition more real and it's a new thing but the "hate" for something different is just unreal here.

I can't wait for the competitive nature of china in the Beijing Olympics since that's more "real."

Things change, sometimes for the better but let's not venture out of Africa or use the wheel.

Heck let's make the SC a challenge Cup like it was intended...you get my point.

 

[JackSlater]

Sorry but the Czechs, Slovakia and Switzerland are not part of the best nations there are there because someone has to be the 5,6,7 best nations in the world.

The tournament is trying to make the bottom feeders better and thus make the competition more real and it's a new thing but the "hate" for something different is just unreal here.

I can't wait for the competitive nature of china in the Beijing Olympics since that's more "real."

Things change, sometimes for the better but let's not venture out of Africa or use the wheel.

Heck let's make the SC a challenge Cup like it was intended...you get my point.

The problem isn't change. The problem is that the change is moronic in this case, for reasons that have already been listed.

 

[Hardyvan123]

The problem isn't change. The problem is that the change is moronic in this case, for reasons that have already been listed.

We are going to agree to disagree here.

It would be one thing if this tournament replaced the Olympics and some players chances to play for their country but then again guys like Kopitar aren't playing in the Olympics with any meaningful chance of winning or even doing well.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

The nhl posts about this nhl cup on twitter and posts an american flag only.

Just tells you all you need to know about this tournament and this league.

It's sad, it's becoming like the other three american leagues more and more. The diversity of this league is unbelievable, but it only caters to one audience. Pity, it will never be a true global league with global following.

Can't wait until the 2016 Worlds and watch true International competition with people around the World actually caring.

 

[FiLe]

Sorry but the Czechs, Slovakia and Switzerland are not part of the best nations there are there because someone has to be the 5,6,7 best nations in the world.

If that is the case, then the correct solution to the dilemma is not this piece of comedy that's about to unfold. It is to take less teams and make 'em play more games.

If Slovakia and Switzerland are not deemed good enough to compete (an argument to which the past few olympic tournaments beg to disagree, btw), then you invite the current top-six and instead of placing 'em in two groups, you have them play one single round against each other and then maybe a final game or series between the best two.

There we go - same amount of games, no "non-competitive bottom feeders" (though the fact that you consider Slovaks and the Swiss this tells me I really shouldn't waste my breath on you) - and no joke teams.

 

[Hardyvan123]

If that is the case, then the correct solution to the dilemma is not this piece of comedy that's about to unfold. It is to take less teams and make 'em play more games.

If Slovakia and Switzerland are not deemed good enough to compete (an argument to which the past few olympic tournaments beg to disagree, btw), then you invite the current top-six and instead of placing 'em in two groups, you have them play one single round against each other and then maybe a final game or series between the best two.

There we go - same amount of games, no "non-competitive bottom feeders" (though the fact that you consider Slovaks and the Swiss this tells me I really shouldn't waste my breath on you) - and no joke teams.

The last Olympic final was a joke for entertainment or in terms of competition and that was a really awesome Sweden Team.

There is basically zero chance of Slovakia or Switzerland beating Canada in a "best on best game" outside of a total fluke, pretty soon with the type of talent the US is producing it will be the same against them.

the thing is that this tournament will be more competitive than the Olympics or the WHC (where most of the worlds best players are still playing in the NHL playoffs BTW.

Once again I think it will be great to have a rest of Europe and NA U23 as it makes the tournament more competitive and gives the better players from weaker countries a real chance at doing something as a team in the tournament.

they still get to experience wearing their national team colours in the Olympics and-or WHC if they want.

 

[FiLe]

The last Olympic final was a joke for entertainment or in terms of competition and that was a really awesome Sweden Team.

There is basically zero chance of Slovakia or Switzerland beating Canada in a "best on best game" outside of a total fluke, pretty soon with the type of talent the US is producing it will be the same against them.

Newsflash: It's kinda the norm that teams participating are not of equal strength. In any competition. To make the games interesting, Slovakia and Switzerland don't have to be gold medal candidates. All they have to be is not be complete pushovers. And you're really embarrassing yourself if you truly imply that they are.

Also, a simple question: Which team will you be rooting for to win this thing, and why?

 

[SanDogBrewin]

It's sad, it's becoming like the other three american leagues more and more. The diversity of this league is unbelievable, but it only caters to one audience. Pity, it will never be a true global league with global following.

Can't wait until the 2016 Worlds and watch true International competition with people around the World actually caring.

It won't become a true global league because sports like soccer/futbol and American football are more popular. Since the mid-90s the NHL has grown leaps n bounds International compared to previous decades. To say the NHL has not grown Internationlly is just not true. The NHL won't pass some sports in popularity, the reason isn't resentment towards the World Cup. That's silly.

The Worlds take place during the NHL playoffs so it will never be a true best on best...ever. I watch the tournament and think its good but the Worlds will never have the best competitors participating.

 

[mustardnight*]

Drouin - Mcdavid - Mackinnon
Galchenyuk- Nugent Hopkins - Gaudreau
Huberdeau - Eichel - Strome
Jenner- Monahan - Wilson

Ekblad - Hamilton
Trouba -Rielly
Murray - Jones
Dumba - Hanifin


Gibson
Fucale

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

We are going to agree to disagree here.

It would be one thing if this tournament replaced the Olympics and some players chances to play for their country but then again guys like Kopitar aren't playing in the Olympics with any meaningful chance of winning or even doing well.

I'm sure Kopitar would feel more pride playing and losing for Slovenia at the Olympics than representing Club Euro at the WC, even if it's a better chance to win.

 

[Hardyvan123]

Newsflash: It's kinda the norm that teams participating are not of equal strength. In any competition. To make the games interesting, Slovakia and Switzerland don't have to be gold medal candidates. All they have to be is not be complete pushovers. And you're really embarrassing yourself if you truly imply that they are.

Slovakia and Switzerland aren't even legitimate medal contenders, unless their goalie stands on their head basically. The only thing really keeping the scores close is the advancement of goalies and equipment.

Also, a simple question: Which team will you be rooting for to win this thing, and why?

I'm a fan of the game and I want to see great competition and that's why the rest of Europe and NA U23 is appealing for me and I'll probably root for them.

 

[Hardyvan123]

I'm sure Kopitar would feel more pride playing and losing for Slovenia at the Olympics than representing Club Euro at the WC, even if it's a better chance to win.

well at least he gets to experience both right?

 

[FiLe]

I'm a fan of the game and I want to see great competition and that's why the rest of Europe and NA U23 is appealing for me and I'll probably root for them.

With a politician's answer like that, I'm guessing you saw right through the question. Which likely means you're a Canadian, who, like so many other Canadians, is rooting mainly for Canada, because, duh, it's your country. Yet you don't give a damn about some players not being able to play for their country, even having the gall to demand them to give a damn about the arbitrary crest they'll have to wear in a tournament where most other players get to wear their own.

 

[xxxx]

I'm sure Kopitar would feel more pride playing and losing for Slovenia at the Olympics than representing Club Euro at the WC, even if it's a better chance to win.

That is absolutely true. But some players haven't ever got to play the olympics and that is a shame imo.

 

[Hardyvan123]

With a politician's answer like that, I'm guessing you saw right through the question. Which likely means you're a Canadian, who, like so many other Canadians, is rooting mainly for Canada, because, duh, it's your country. Yet you don't give a damn about some players not being able to play for their country, even having the gall to demand them to give a damn about the arbitrary crest they'll have to wear in a tournament where most other players get to wear their own.

You asked me a question and I answered it honestly, don't assume anything.

And once again Kopitar isn't going to play in this tournament unless their is a rest of Europe team, most of the young guys aren't playing on the US or Canadian team either.

And once again no one is taking away the Olympic experience or WHC, although almost 100% of NHL players would rather be playing in the playoffs then in the WHC anyways right?

I'll say it again, I'm a fan of the game of hockey and actually prefer watching junior hockey to the NHL at times, but for the tournament I'm leaning towards rooting for the 2 "crazy" teams for 2 good reasons.

1) I'm a bit of a rebel and love rocking the boat

2) I like competitive teams and new things.