Bettman Confirms World Cup in 2028 (At Least 8 Nations)

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Every two years is probably just the right amount of best on best international competition to keep it truly exciting every time it comes around. It's also enough to create some legitimate rivalries between the cores for the teams who might stick together on each team for 8-10 years.


8 Teams is also pretty good sizing for the World Cup. I wonder how they'll determine the 7th and 8th teams, will they do any sort of summer qualifier or just pick the 8 top ranked teams.

You've obviously got Canada/USA/Finland/Sweden/Czechia/Russia* as the top 6... But after that IMO it gets real dicey between Switzerland, Germany, Slovakia for those 7-8 spots. And even some countries on the rise like Belarus, Denmark, Latvia who could all be competitive against Switzerland for sure.

 

[Halakitlikethat]

Is Russia playing? If not, it doesn’t matter

It’s not best on best without Russia

 

[MessierII]

How will that work without the IIHF or co operation from other leagues? There aren’t enough Czech, Slovak, Swiss or German players to ice a roster of NHL players.

 

[kabidjan18]

Obviously some will come down to the execution of it but as a fan of INT hockey you have to be excited.

 

[Terry Yake]

no gimmick teams like we had in 2016 is a good start

 

[Kshahdoo]

How will that work without the IIHF or co operation from other leagues? There aren’t enough Czech, Slovak, Swiss or German players to ice a roster of NHL players.

NHL can work directly with leagues not IIHF...

 

[heksagon]

Finland sucks because tickets prices will ruin everything again

Yeah, you might be right.

I'd just hope they would've learned something from the past, but maybe that's wishful thinking.

 

[Albatros]

NHL can work directly with leagues not IIHF...

Sure, share millions with various European leagues just to have a few more teams. Not going to happen.

 

[Tuoppi]

Since they can't do 8 teams with only having NHL guys playing I'm curious to see who they add on those teams for countries that won't have enough NHL players.

Maybe from AHL, ECHL, NCAA, CHL, USHL, SPHL...? Iihf should definately be involved.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

Add Russia, Czechs, Slovaks and Germany I guess

 

[ItWasJustified]

I just don't know how it would be 8 teams without IIHF involved

This. Unless the NHL pay European leagues to have a break in the middle of their seasons I don't see it happening. There aren't enough Swiss or Slovaks playing in North America to have a full roster. And I don't see the domestic European leagues take a 2+ week break when their seasons are ≈10 games from their playoffs without a hefty compensation. It wouldn't make sense.

 

[ItWasJustified]

Is Russia playing?

Is Russia still waging war against a sovereign nation in 2028? There's your answer.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Is Russia still waging war against a sovereign nation in 2028? There's your answer.

Stop saying political bullshit about you-know-nothing-about.

 

[Albatros]

Stop saying political bullshit about you-know-nothing-about.

Why would we want to play hockey with you? Or indeed have anything to do with?

 

[Kshahdoo]

Why would we want to play hockey with you? Or indeed have anything to do with?

Who say you? It'll be an NHL tournament, and NHLers will do everything the league and NHLPA tell them. They care about money only.

 

[weklof]

and Stutzle - but you're correct and I was thinking the same. Maybe there's a play-in for like 3 teams? Latvia (10) v Germany v Switzerland ?

I see Slovakia (9) is ranked lower than Germany (8) and Switzerland is ranked 5th in the world

I always favor that teams should be there on merit rather than who has the more star power.

So I'd like some sort of qualification tournament to fill out the tournament.

Say Canada, US, Finland, Sweden, Czechia (+ Russia if allowed back) are directly qualified. Then Switzerland, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, Austria, Belarus, Denmark, Norway etc can compete for the final spots

 

[namttebih]

We need at least one gimmick team

It's true. Using only "NHL players", none of Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Latvia or Belorus can form a team. Slovakia barely can. This is using NHL, AHL and ECHL players, as well as players drafted who are still playing in Europe.

 

[waitin425]

Off season or some bastardized two week tournament? I only see off-season as an option for getting the proper games in there. Unless they do 2 x 4 team divisions. Play each team once. Seminfinals and then finals it would only be one more game this four game tourney. I wouldn't like that very much. Would prefer all 8 teams into playoffs quarterfinals and then paired down from there. I suppose that could be done in 2 weeks with games crammed in.