Better format for next World Cup

[Gary Nylund]

1. When (serious) international competitions at nations level happen, national identity and pride is all there is for folks in Europe... The only thing they care about is the flag that the players wear on their chest, not the individual who wears it... They cheer for their nation. For this simple reason, there is no rooting interest for team Europe: that funny shield that looks straight out of a video game means nothing to no one, it would have been better if they had "Team Europe" written on it. This is reflected by the fact that this tournament isn't even a minuscule blip on the radar around here.

2. Because of point #1, I don't think it gave any country a boost. It would have been way better if they kept it at 6 nations, instead of adding the gimmick teams.

I confess, I don't have my finger on the pulse of the European countries represented so if you say there is no rooting interest for Team Europe, you might be right. I'm skeptical though, perhaps it would be accurate to say there isn't widespread interest? I'm again thinking in terms of Estonia, if our best young player was on the team that wouldn't result in the games being televised or anything but for sure it would be written about in the newspapers (though not big headlines). That probably wouldn't lead to a huge number of people taking up the game but maybe some people would, who knows. Every little bit helps I guess.

I've said all along I'd prefer national teams only but I'll keep an open mind and see how it plays out. I think in the end I'd still prefer national teams only but meh, even if that's what this tournament had been I don't think in the end it would be that much different - Canada would still win without being seriously challenged and the games overall wouldn't be any more interesting then they have been. So for all the complaining we've heard about how this format is a crime against humanity, what have we lost really? Not much as far as I can tell. This tournament was somewhat boring, big deal, so were the last Olympics. International hockey just ain't what it used to be, simple as that.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Are seriously implying that Olympic Final Rematch on small ice is NOT more passionate than the skunk we saw yesterday?

laugh: Ultra Homers)

You mean an Olympic Final Rematch could potentially been as exciting as the Olympic final was. OMG, can you just imagine?!

 

[sting101]

Not a fan of the gimmick teams. The format IMO should be the top 13 IIHF ranked teams. A team from an Asian grouping of China Korea Japan and Australia. (Create global interest) And the final 2 spots come from a playoff between 14 15 16 and 17 in the rankings. Single game final.

E.g
CANADA-----------USA------------SWEDEN ---------RUSSIA
SWITZERLAND----SLOVAKIA-----FINLAND----------CZECH REP.
GERMANY----------DENMARK-----AUSTRIA-----------LATVIA
JAPAN--------------NORWAY-------FRANCE-----------BELARUS

 

[Xokkeu]

I don't think there would be a ton of passion if it was Sweden, guess we'll just have to disagree on that one. The passion is a relative thing, Russia/US (or the young guns) would have been far more interesting to the average Canadian fan than any other team. If you really think there would significant passion if Canada played say Finland god bless you my man but I'll politely disagree.

There are pros and cons to everything, in this case there's a pretty big upside in that 8 countries have players represented by Team Europe that otherwise would have no rooting interest. I can understand this very well as an Estonian, we're just starting to build a hockey program and were very far away from being able to compete in a tournament like this. It's quite possible though that many years before that happens, we'll be able to produce one player who could make this team and if something that were to happen, I can guarantee you it would do wonders for hockey in Estonia. Our best young player plays in Finland and there are many people that I know who follow his doings closely. So basically take this effect and multiply it by 8 is what Team Europe is doing. All those people who are crying about the NHL not doing enough to grow the game should be pleased.

Some people are extremely upset that these 2 "gimmick" team spots didn't go to national teams but you know what, hockey is already doing rather well in Switzerland and Slovakia, is it so horrible that some other countries were given a boost instead?

Hockey is on the upswing in Switzerland, but not Slovakia.

And the surest way to kill interest in a European country is to not even let that country participate. US soccer would be nothing today if FIFA forced us to send a team North America combined with Mexico in the 80s and 90s.

 

[Xokkeu]

Basketball is the same they have tried to come up with ideas to appeal more to the masses.

Like what?

 

[Xokkeu]

I confess, I don't have my finger on the pulse of the European countries represented so if you say there is no rooting interest for Team Europe, you might be right. I'm skeptical though, perhaps it would be accurate to say there isn't widespread interest? I'm again thinking in terms of Estonia, if our best young player was on the team that wouldn't result in the games being televised or anything but for sure it would be written about in the newspapers (though not big headlines). That probably wouldn't lead to a huge number of people taking up the game but maybe some people would, who knows. Every little bit helps I guess.

I've said all along I'd prefer national teams only but I'll keep an open mind and see how it plays out. I think in the end I'd still prefer national teams only but meh, even if that's what this tournament had been I don't think in the end it would be that much different - Canada would still win without being seriously challenged and the games overall wouldn't be any more interesting then they have been. So for all the complaining we've heard about how this format is a crime against humanity, what have we lost really? Not much as far as I can tell. This tournament was somewhat boring, big deal, so were the last Olympics. International hockey just ain't what it used to be, simple as that.

I don't know why Canadians find international hockey so boring. They seem to be the only ones.

 

[BruinLVGA]

But there are some players with Swiss flag patches on their team Europe jerseys! Does that not get Switzerland excited?

Ahahah yes, that's what the NHL brass thought: one little square on a shoulder will surely win them over. It shows how far removed from anything non-NA they're.

The big hockey news today in my region was that in the Swiss Cup (a competition where all teams of all Swiss leagues compete together & it's only direct elimination games. One loss, you are out. It runs parallel to the regular season) a NLA team got booted out by a NLB one (like if there was such a competition in the NHL, it would be like an NHL team eliminated by an AHL team...).

Though I admit there was a one paragraph article mentioning the score of game 1 of the World Cup finals, but the strongest point they made was to say that former NLA guy (during the last lock out) Bergeron scored a goal.

 

[jason2020]

Not a fan of the gimmick teams. The format IMO should be the top 13 IIHF ranked teams. A team from an Asian grouping of China Korea Japan and Australia. (Create global interest) And the final 2 spots come from a playoff between 14 15 16 and 17 in the rankings. Single game final.

E.g
CANADA-----------USA------------SWEDEN ---------RUSSIA
SWITZERLAND----SLOVAKIA-----FINLAND----------CZECH REP.
GERMANY----------DENMARK-----AUSTRIA-----------LATVIA
JAPAN--------------NORWAY-------FRANCE-----------BELARUS

If they did that there would be no need for the world championships.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I don't know why Canadians find international hockey so boring. They seem to be the only ones.

International hockey is fine, as long as it's Canada playing against a natural rival who's competitive. If it's something like Sweden vs Switzerland I just have no interest. For me personally, I've been spoiled by the high quality of NHL hockey and the exceptionally high quality of international hockey during the soviet era. Now Toronto also has competitive baseball and basketball teams, there's just not enough time to watch everything anyway. This year I watched a bit of the WHC just because I wanted to see Matthews and Rielly play but honestly, I didn't care much about how the teams did.

Europeans don't care much about the World Cup and North Americans don't care much about the WHC. It's neither a good or a bad thing IMO, it's just the way it is.

 

[jason2020]

I don't know why Canadians find international hockey so boring. They seem to be the only ones.

Many Europeans do as well.

 

[jason2020]

Like what?

Just take the all star game as a prime example.

 

[gwh]

You mean an Olympic Final Rematch could potentially been as exciting as the Olympic final was. OMG, can you just imagine?!

And you thought yesterday's game was? Entertaining? Over the olympic final that 50% of Canadian population watched?

Personally I switched to MIN-COL preseason match which included approximately 4 NHL players for COL. Preseason pond hockey beat world cup finals 15minutes into the 1st period.

 

[Gary Nylund]

And you thought yesterday's game was? Entertaining? Over the olympic final that 50% of Canadian population watched?

Personally I switched to MIN-COL preseason match which included approximately 4 NHL players for COL. Preseason pond hockey beat world cup finals 15minutes into the 1st period.

Last nights game was easily better hockey than the gold medal game. Unless you evaluate the quality of hockey by number of people watching of course, in that case you're right, the Olympic final was incredible!

 

[Rocko604]

Delete, wrong thread.

 

[BruinLVGA]

I confess, I don't have my finger on the pulse of the European countries represented so if you say there is no rooting interest for Team Europe, you might be right. I'm skeptical though, perhaps it would be accurate to say there isn't widespread interest? I'm again thinking in terms of Estonia, if our best young player was on the team that wouldn't result in the games being televised or anything but for sure it would be written about in the newspapers (though not big headlines). That probably wouldn't lead to a huge number of people taking up the game but maybe some people would, who knows. Every little bit helps I guess.

I've said all along I'd prefer national teams only but I'll keep an open mind and see how it plays out. I think in the end I'd still prefer national teams only but meh, even if that's what this tournament had been I don't think in the end it would be that much different - Canada would still win without being seriously challenged and the games overall wouldn't be any more interesting then they have been. So for all the complaining we've heard about how this format is a crime against humanity, what have we lost really? Not much as far as I can tell. This tournament was somewhat boring, big deal, so were the last Olympics. International hockey just ain't what it used to be, simple as that.

Well, I could describe it as indifference, maybe? There was zero advertisement, there is basically almost zero coverage (no video, just tiny one paragraph articles in the press here).
You are right that every little bit of hockey helps for kids to get passionate about the sport, that goes without saying.
But the problem is that there's really very little folks aware that this is going on, in the Team Europe countries. Even if they were aware, there wouldn't be support for team Europe. Nations in Europe are fiercely independent. Even your Estonia: they would have better chances teaming up with Russia, but I have a strong feeling that they would rather be stomped 10-0 by Canada, but having tried all by themselves their best, than get a player to play under the Russian flag (or anyone's flag). It is a matter of national pride. It is the only reason for international hockey for nations for Europeans.

 

[Xokkeu]

Many Europeans do as well.

Not judging by the ratings and attendances at the Worlds.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Well, I could describe it as indifference, maybe? There was zero advertisement, there is basically almost zero coverage (no video, just tiny one paragraph articles in the press here).
You are right that every little bit of hockey helps for kids to get passionate about the sport, that goes without saying.
But the problem is that there's really very little folks aware that this is going on, in the Team Europe countries. Even if they were aware, there wouldn't be support for team Europe. Nations in Europe are fiercely independent. Even your Estonia: they would have better chances teaming up with Russia, but I have a strong feeling that they would rather be stomped 10-0 by Canada, but having tried all by themselves their best, than get a player to play under the Russian flag (or anyone's flag). It is a matter of national pride. It is the only reason for international hockey for nations for Europeans.

I don't think Estonians would mind being part of a Team Europe as it was set up for this World Cup. That's quite a bit different from playing under someone else's flag though. And we would never team up with Russia.

 

[Jon Riley]

The big hockey news today in my region was that in the Swiss Cup (a competition where all teams of all Swiss leagues compete together & it's only direct elimination games. One loss, you are out. It runs parallel to the regular season) a NLA team got booted out by a NLB one (like if there was such a competition in the NHL, it would be like an NHL team eliminated by an AHL team...).

Though I admit there was a one paragraph article mentioning the score of game 1 of the World Cup finals, but the strongest point they made was to say that former NLA guy (during the last lock out) Bergeron scored a goal.

Let me guess, tio.ch?

 

[jason2020]

Not judging by the ratings and attendances at the Worlds.

There have been many worlds where attendance has been a huge issue.

 

[BruinLVGA]

Let me guess, tio.ch?

You guessed my region correctly.

 

[Video Coach]

6 team tournament. 5 round robin games (play each team once), semi finals (1 vs 4, 2 vs 3), then best of 3 final.

 

[snipes]

Go back to Canada Cup ´87 and and make a copy of it (6 teams, 5 games in the round-robin). Even rename this stupid tournament Canada Cup.

I would support this.

 

[Rangediddy]

This World Cup hasn't been about much else other than who can beat Canada. Actually most best on best tournaments recently have been the same.

Until Canada shows that it's not a complete global super power in hockey, you have to structure tournaments that find a way to unseat them and at this point in time, a Canada vs. The World is about all that will get people from everywhere interested in a final.

Best of 7 tournament, keep it short and sweet and lets watch the best players in the world battle the best players in the world in a format where every game matters.

Could a team of Kopitar, Kane, Ovechkin, Malkin, Josi, Karlsson go the distance against Crosby, Benn, Toews, Tavares, Burns & co?

I bet that would garner some decent ratings.

 

[JackSlater]

This World Cup hasn't been about much else other than who can beat Canada. Actually most best on best tournaments recently have been the same.

Until Canada shows that it's not a complete global super power in hockey, you have to structure tournaments that find a way to unseat them and at this point in time, a Canada vs. The World is about all that will get people from everywhere interested in a final.

Best of 7 tournament, keep it short and sweet and lets watch the best players in the world battle the best players in the world in a format where every game matters.

Could a team of Kopitar, Kane, Ovechkin, Malkin, Josi, Karlsson go the distance against Crosby, Benn, Toews, Tavares, Burns & co?

I bet that would garner some decent ratings.

Canada isn't infallible. A single bad game, coupled with a good game from the opposition, and Canada could lose any tournament. One early exit and people will switch from Canada being unbeatable to Canada being overrated.

 

[Xokkeu]

This World Cup hasn't been about much else other than who can beat Canada. Actually most best on best tournaments recently have been the same.

Until Canada shows that it's not a complete global super power in hockey, you have to structure tournaments that find a way to unseat them and at this point in time, a Canada vs. The World is about all that will get people from everywhere interested in a final.

Best of 7 tournament, keep it short and sweet and lets watch the best players in the world battle the best players in the world in a format where every game matters.

Could a team of Kopitar, Kane, Ovechkin, Malkin, Josi, Karlsson go the distance against Crosby, Benn, Toews, Tavares, Burns & co?

I bet that would garner some decent ratings.

Who would cheer for this world team? Who would get excited by it? I know as an American I wouldn't be able to careless.