Better format for next World Cup

[Zaddy91]

Canada needs to be split into provinces just too stronk

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

A World Cup is national teams not pretend teams. 1 Canada team. USA, Russia, Czech R, Finland and Sweden. A European play in qualifier for the final 2 teams. 2 conferences split by IIHF rankings. All teams play 3 game inter conference round robin to set the field order for playoffs, all teams make playoffs. Conferences cross over for QF, reseeded for SF, and the finals is a 1 game winner take all. Screw the best of 3, removes all the drama and its set in Canada's favour.

That said the North America team is the best thing hockey has seen in a long time and if the NHL doesn't move to get games back to exciting instead of over coached snooze fests nobody will give a **** like they don't give a **** now.

 

[Xokkeu]

Only hockey fans have the inferiority complex to think their sport is not good enough to attract people too it by inventing dumb gimmicks. Started with the glow puck and continue a pace.

USA basketball dominates the sport in a way few others can yet nobody freaks out think basketball isn't good enough.

 

[bordshockeypampen]

1. Ontario
2. Quebec
3. Canadian leftovers
4. USA
5. former Soviet Union
6. Scandinavia
7. Central Europe
8. Worldwide U-23

 

[Rocko604]

I hated it from when it was announced to the start of the tournament, but now I actually like the Team Europe concept, and am all for it returning in 2020. However, you'd need to do another U23 team to make it 8 teams, unless you make Slovakia or Switzerland a participant as well.

Or just use Slovakia and Switzerland. (Yes, yes, I know, no Kopitar!!, I heard you).

For the playoffs
1A and 1B have byes to the semi finals
2A vs 3B and 3A vs 2B in a quarterfinal

1 game final.

 

[Voodoozz]

Mike Babcock about the next World Cup -
http://y2u.be/3CUZy7iwD80

 

[FinnHab]

So this tournament is so plastic with gimmck teams that even canadian hockey fans turn their backs on this WC fiasco. Good work Bettmann&co.

 

[JackSlater]

How has Team Europe spoiled the party? They were dismissed by so many before the tournament even started but look at them now! There's 8 nations represented if I'm not mistaken and I'll bet there's some fans in those countries who are following their countries players with great interest.

Your desperation to defend something that you've admitted multiple times that you know is wrong is funny. Pouting because you were called out for being wrong is not a valid reason to feebly defend the indefensible.

Only hockey fans have the inferiority complex to think their sport is not good enough to attract people too it by inventing dumb gimmicks. Started with the glow puck and continue a pace.

USA basketball dominates the sport in a way few others can yet nobody freaks out think basketball isn't good enough.

Strange thing being observed where some Canadians are seemingly tired of winning and want to see Canada handicapped for the sake of greater parity. It's a very strange perspective that I hope is mostly influenced by non-international hockey fans being attracted to this NHL exhibition.

So this tournament is so plastic with gimmck teams that even canadian hockey fans turn their backs on this WC fiasco. Good work Bettmann&co.

Funny hearing on TSN about the quiet arena with empty seats (in a supposed best on best final!) and only a handful of fans bothering to show up for the free viewing party set up outside the arena. Also funny to hear the talking heads talk about Canada's complacency, and then have the players basically confirm that. Sounds like exactly what you want from a tournament final!

 

[bordshockeypampen]

"Mike Babcock would like to see the next World Cup played in two cities with only night games. Also wants to see only countries compete." ~ Chris Johnston

Night games in North America would mean starting around 2 am European time. I suppose that would reduce the interest from European fans even more.

 

[pulverapa]

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.

 

[llwyd]

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 love that!

 

[sxvnert]

Pool A: Canada East, USA, Czechs, Europe
Pool B: Canada West, Russia, Sweden, Finland

1. Canada
2. USA
3. Russia
4. Czechs
5. Sweden
6. Finland
7. Europe
8. NA U23
9. Euro U23
10. One of Swiss/Germany/Slovakia

 

[randomhockeyfan]

Am I the only one who dislikes this best of 3 finals? It takes away from the excitement imo. And the whole concept of the tournament was bad, Finland and USA practically out after the first game, 2 points for an OT win and a regular win, the gimmicks etc. After this tournament we can clearly say that national teams mean a lot more to Europeans than North Americans. Could you imagine how a concept like Eurovision would do in NA?

 

[Orange Dragon]

Am I the only one who dislikes this best of 3 finals? It takes away from the excitement imo. And the whole concept of the tournament was bad, Finland and USA practically out after the first game, 2 points for an OT win and a regular win, the gimmicks etc. After this tournament we can clearly say that national teams mean a lot more to Europeans than North Americans. Could you imagine how a concept like Eurovision would do in NA?

I also prefer 1 game final. Better team lost? Too bad, better luck next time.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Considering the opportunity cost, yes, it's a bad thing.

This is a dud of a final. Canada/Sweden would have had intrigue and passion. Canada v any country would have had passion. Canada v the young guns would have had intrigue; this has neither. This is a scrimmage.

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?

 

[gretskidoo]

After this tournament we can clearly say that national teams mean a lot more to Europeans than North Americans. Could you imagine how a concept like Eurovision would do in NA?

If you mean that North Americans don't care about national teams that aren't North American and like to take a big ol' dump on them, you are correct.

Let's remove the Canadian team from the next tournament, and we'll see how much they care about national teams.

 

[JackSlater]

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 know that you won't bother trying to defend your statements, but I would love to see the evidence that there is a "big upside" to this. I think I have seen one Slovakian poster say something positive about the European team, while the rest of the posters from those countries have been negative. Is the upside that viewership in those countries is through the roof? Would love to see some numbers from those countries. Is the upside that on the eve of the final, a player said that that they aren't even playing for their countries but just playing for each other?

 

[Tom Collins]

Probably should have actually explained at the first post

I think the whole World Cup notion bad, I'd much prefer all NHLers remained at the olympics

However, if they want a balanced tournament with most nhlers given then opportunity to play, they need a Team Europe for the leftovers. Team NA doesnt work because USA isnt strong enough to lose their best, youngest players. Only "balanced" option at that point would be to split Canada. I wouldn't like it, but it would be the most even tournament you could come up with.

Hahaha, you want parity in best-on-best tournaments?

Huh?

 

[BruinLVGA]

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.

1. 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.

2.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?

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.

 

[BruinLVGA]

I know that you won't bother trying to defend your statements, but I would love to see the evidence that there is a "big upside" to this. I think I have seen one Slovakian poster say something positive about the European team, while the rest of the posters from those countries have been negative. Is the upside that viewership in those countries is through the roof? Would love to see some numbers from those countries. Is the upside that on the eve of the final, a player said that that they aren't even playing for their countries but just playing for each other?

Roughly 300 TV channels in Switzerland (from all over Europe: Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, UK, Spain, Italy, etc etc... However, no Scandinavian channels...) + a bunch of pay per view channels, I looked for curiosity to see if there was anything about this game 1 and there was ZERO, as in no one showing it.

I have the feeling that the only TV that might have shown it, must have been in the nations that were participating. So I hope someone from Sweden/Finland/Czech Republic will chime in.

 

[jason2020]

Only hockey fans have the inferiority complex to think their sport is not good enough to attract people too it by inventing dumb gimmicks. Started with the glow puck and continue a pace.

USA basketball dominates the sport in a way few others can yet nobody freaks out think basketball isn't good enough.

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

 

[JackSlater]

Roughly 300 TV channels in Switzerland (from all over Europe: Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, UK, Spain, Italy, etc etc... However, no Scandinavian channels...) + a bunch of pay per view channels, I looked for curiosity to see if there was anything about this game 1 and there was ZERO, as in no one showing it.

I have the feeling that the only TV that might have shown it, must have been in the nations that were participating. So I hope someone from Sweden/Finland/Czech Republic will chime in.

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

 

[gwh]

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...

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

laugh: Ultra Homers)

 

[Skobel24]

I wouldn't mind seeing another Team North America that consists of the rejects.

 

[gwh]

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

But team Europe players never will have chance to win a MAJOR title. Now repeat this 6 times per broadcast.