Toggle sidebar

Does Canada causing less parity in international tournaments make international tournaments less fun?

Strange time to complain about this. IIHF tournaments continue to have artificial parity and at the best on best level Canada has regressed compared to where it was in the previous decade, USA has a notably strong group of players, and Sweden, Russia (if allowed to play), and Finland are all legitimate contenders. Five viable contenders isn't particularly poor compared to many sports.
 
It might be better if you had about 6-8 countries with an equal chance. But Canada, while it still produces the most NHL players, is producing a lesser share as time goes by. Plus a 1 game match helps ensure unpredictability
 
ViD said:
Given current state of affairs, I’m completely indifferent towards international competitions
Click to expand...
We get it, you miss your Russians.

Don't worry, you still have the Capitals who's basically CSKA Moscow these days in terms of their marketing, captain, communication, what they stand for etc etc
 
Last edited:
JackSlater said:
Strange time to complain about this. IIHF tournaments continue to have artificial parity and at the best on best level Canada has regressed compared to where it was in the previous decade, USA has a notably strong group of players, and Sweden, Russia (if allowed to play), and Finland are all legitimate contenders. Five viable contenders isn't particularly poor compared to many sports.
Click to expand...

We say this every year yet look who is winning gold most of the time. It's Canada so why should I care about other teams chances if I know what the outcome is going to be.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: pearljamvs5
A best on best right now, with Canada's goaltending being on a downswing, might be the worst odds Canada has had in a long time.

The forward skaters would be very good as usual, but the defence and goaltending would definitely not be a strength as it has been in previous years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: deckercky
LBS I Digress said:
Team USA would have Matthews and Fox. I honestly think the rosters are about as close talent wise as they’ve ever been. We just haven’t got to see it in a real tournament yet.
Click to expand...

Canadian forward depth is truly terrifying even if other teams have great players filling up their lines.

On the other hand Canadian goaltending is a f***ing embarrassment compared other top countries right now. They could win despite that of course.
 
Vakarte said:
We say this every year yet look who is winning gold most of the time. It's Canada so why should I care about other teams chances if I know what the outcome is going to be.
Click to expand...
I don't know what to tell you. Canada always has the most talented team, but less so now than almost any other time before and the most talented team doesn't always win. Canada usually wins these tournaments but Russia (or close enough) has won, USA has won, Czech Republic has won, Sweden has won. You don't know the outcome before the puck drops.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pearljamvs5
On another note, wouldn't it be nice to see the Olympics/World Cup implementing some formats that are "non-traditional" in sports today? For example, the Swiss or Double Elimination-systems used in esports?

It's always group stages and a regular playoffs, in pretty much all sports. Double elimination in particular would be amazing for playoffs in all sports. A winner/loser bracket would give teams a second chance, creating more interesting storylines etc. It's pretty common even in football World Cup that teams like Germany and Spain faces each other in the first elimination round, but what if the country that lose that matchup can fight its way back in a loser bracket and have a second chance to beat the winning team in the finals? Pretty sick tbh.

In hockey, a Swiss format would be amazing. All games would matter, and teams would face teams that have similar results thus far in the tournament (google it, its awesome). Much better than the usual 5-6-ish round robin games where 4 counties in both groups goes through etc.
 
Team USA is going to be badass by 2024. Don’t be so cocky Canadians.

Center depth Matthews, Eichel, Hughes, Zegras, and Larkin.

They’ll have 2 Hughes brothers Adam Fox, McAvoy, Werenski, and Jones on defense.

The Tkachuk’s, Gaudreau, Debrincat, Miller, Conner, Keller, Caufield, Boeser, on the wings.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: I am Bettman and illone84
It feels like this is about telling the OP Canada isn't amazing. Ain't gonna happen.

As much fun as it would be to declare our awesomeness I look at the US roster and don't see an easy win. Our goaltending is uncharacteristically weak right now so if I was a fan of another hockey power I wouldn't see them as unbeatable.

Besides, not much is sweeter in an International tournament than beating Canada. I know our American cousins seem to like it.
 
Cowumbus said:
ItS OuR GaME -Canada fans

Give me a break. There are teams that would give Canada a run for its money. Games aren’t won on paper.

Remember when Canada lost in the WC last year to Finland? Pepperidge Farm remembers.
Click to expand...
I think that is the point some Canadians are making. It's not like Canada runs away with all tourneys but the world championships are not a great example as it's not best on best.

Best on best Canada most often wins the gold in the last 30 years but not always and while sucks for Canadian fans it's good for the game to have other teams win gold and other medals.
 
Voight said:
The only event that applies to is the World Championships, which runs during the playoffs so every year you are bound to be missing guys due to their teams still playing or fatigue.

Players do everything in their power to make the Olympic, and to a lesser extent, World Cup teams. I remember in 2014 Stamkos was trying so hard to be ready for Sochi; he almost made it back quicker than expected.

Tho it is funny to see these threads when theres ones saying that the Americans or whoever are taking over and Canadas time has passed.



You forgot the 91 Canada Cup.
Click to expand...
As much as I'd like to include it, politics surrounding the Fall of the Soviet Union means they sent their C team.

They were the 1b to Canada in 1991, and to lose the Soviets means the tournament doesn't really count.
 
Vakarte said:
With the news that the World Cup of Hockey is returning, opinions are split.

Some are optimistic while others are not. One of the reasons is the little parity in the tournament with Canada winning a lot.

Which got me thinking, he kinda has a point.

Like no matter the circumstances, Canada will always the favorites and wins like every time.

So why should we care about international hockey when the outcome is predictable.

Why should we care about other teams when we all know they're going to get blown out by Canada or lose to them in a close game?
Click to expand...
LOL the USA loses in 1 out of 100 sports and they're pouting!
 
Hasn't Finland been doing well recently? It's not like Canada has a 100% win ratio internationally, we win our fair-share which is about as well as you can expect when 60% of the NHL is still Canadian and even looking at the top 5 players, you've got 2/5 being Canadian. Obviously NHLers haven't had much impact in the tournmanets recently due to some factors, but those guys do play internationally before they make the NHL and Canada is not slowing down much when it comes to developing players.
 
I don't care about international competitions anyway, but parity isn't really a bonus in any sport. As long as it isn't the 2002 Red Wings using a time machine to put them all in their prime lined up against beer leaguers, I could care less.
 
Jerzey Devil said:
Team USA is going to be badass by 2024. Don’t be so cocky Canadians.

Center depth Matthews, Eichel, Hughes, Zegras, and Larkin.

They’ll have 2 Hughes brothers Adam Fox, McAvoy, Werenski, and Jones on defense.

The Tkachuk’s, Gaudreau, Debrincat, Miller, Conner, Keller, Caufield, Boeser, on the wings.
Click to expand...

USA fans have been saying for years how their squads are going to beat Canada but look how that has turned out. Loosing the tournaments in more embarrassing fashion each time.

Also, we forgetting this is the same US program that has had trouble having a good coach behind the bench.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: pearljamvs5 and Nikki Potnick
Vakarte said:
USA fans have been saying for years how their squads are going to beat Canada but look how that has turned out. Loosing the tournaments in more embarrassing fashion each time.

Also, we forgetting this is the same US program that has had trouble having a good coach behind the bench.
Click to expand...
Don't worry, I'm sure people like you will come up with some sort of excuse when Canada loses.


Honestly, ya'll should be thankful that the NHL skipped these past Olympics. Allows you guys to keep the past alive for a bit longer.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: HabsCowboysOwn and Jerzey Devil
Vakarte said:
USA fans have been saying for years how their squads are going to beat Canada but look how that has turned out. Loosing the tournaments in more embarrassing fashion each time.

Also, we forgetting this is the same US program that has had trouble having a good coach behind the bench.
Click to expand...
The younger guys are just now starting to make a name for themselves. By 2024 they’re going to be much stronger and experienced. The guys who played for the 2018 junior team will be entering their primes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Master P
Vakarte said:
Thinking wither the USA, Sweden, Finland, etc. can even beat Canada on paper is pure blindness to reality. Those countries for years said they can beat Canada time and time again and look how that turned out.



I'm so sure the number is getting smaller while Canada keeps on getting better.
Click to expand...
Games arent played on paper ;)
 
Master P said:
Don't worry, I'm sure people like you will come up with some sort of excuse when Canada loses.


Honestly, ya'll should be thankful that the NHL skipped these past Olympics. Allows you guys to keep the past alive for a bit longer.
Click to expand...
Speaking of cockiness and living the past, you would think that world cup win in 1995 was last week.

You guys haven't won anything yet and it's been quite some time since you have, pretty big talk, but you've got to back that up. i think you are probably aware that we've been in this business for a long time and do back it up.

The last team you want to poo poo is Canada, that's foolish in the highest degree.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: pearljamvs5 and HabsCowboysOwn
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom