Everyone should cheer for Team Europe @ the World Cup

[Elvs]

Hmm so they would invite more teams that the nhl didn't want winning the next time around

Getting rid of the gimmick teams and replacing them with whoever is ranked 7th and 8th or even adding 2 more would increase scoring by alot tho so you could have players posting crazy numbers during the tourny

2014 Olympics:
Sweden-Switzerland 1-0
Switzerland-Czech Republic 1-0
Russia-Slovakia 1-0 (SO)

2010 Olympics:
USA-Switzerland 3-1
Switzerland-Canada 2-3 (SO)
Czech Republic-Slovakia 3-1
Slovakia-Russia 2-1 (SO)
USA-Switzerland 2-0
Sweden-Slovakia 3-4

In the last three Olympics, Slovakia has only been crushed once (1-7 against USA in 2014) and Switzerland never. But apparently the U23 team steamrolling over team Europe 4-0 is that much better.

 

[Frank the Tank]

Because it would actually mean things going RIGHT when it comes to having real best-on-best hockey in the future.

Every person fawning over TNA now means more gimmicks (and no Olympics) down the road.

Every fan fawning over the Olympics being the only best-on-best hockey tournament on the schedule appear oblivious to what the IOC has done over the past year to discourage NHL players from attending the Winter Olympics beyond 2018. I could support the NHL participating in Olympics more going forward if the IOC didn't whittle down the lists of future hosts to those that exist in totalitarian countries (through their own corruption) and expect the NHL and its player to shoulder all the financial risk playing in such inconvenient locations.

 

[Epsilon]

Hmm so they would invite more teams that the nhl didn't want winning the next time around

It's interesting that you can observe this but also not realize how that's a big contributor to this tournament not being viewed seriously by many people: the tournament organizer has a preferred outcome in mind.

 

[JackSlater]

Every fan fawning over the Olympics being the only best-on-best hockey tournament on the schedule appear oblivious to what the IOC has done over the past year to discourage NHL players from attending the Winter Olympics beyond 2018. I could support the NHL participating in Olympics more going forward if the IOC didn't whittle down the lists of future hosts to those that exist in totalitarian countries (through their own corruption) and expect the NHL and its player to shoulder all the financial risk playing in such inconvenient locations.

What do the IOC's problems, which are just as you described, have to do with what he said? This edition of the tournament works against best on best hockey, both in the Olympics and in future editions of the World Cup.

 

[Frank the Tank]

What do the IOC's problems, which are just as you described, have to do with what he said? This edition of the tournament works against best on best hockey, both in the Olympics and in future editions of the World Cup.

I'm saying that either side "fawning" over Team North American or the Olympics continuing to be the only recognized best-on-best tournament is hurting the long-term future of international hockey. The debacle that was the IOC's 2022 Winter Olympics bid process was the most damaging thing to happen to hockey having a regular best-on-best tournament, and I do not blame the NHL/NHLPA for creating an alternative option. It was just as bad as Team NA or Team Europe, which everyone continues to complain about.

I support a World Cup of Hockey being held regularly; just not in the current format.

 

[JackSlater]

I'm saying that either side "fawning" over Team North American or the Olympics continuing to be the only recognized best-on-best tournament is hurting the long-term future of international hockey. The debacle that was the IOC's 2022 Winter Olympics bid process was the most damaging thing to happen to hockey having a regular best-on-best tournament, and I do not blame the NHL/NHLPA for creating an alternative option. It was just as bad as Team NA or Team Europe, which everyone continues to complain about.

I support a World Cup of Hockey being held regularly; just not in the current format.

There is room for more than one problem. That this tournament works against NHL involvement in the Olympics is given by Bill Daly already. It doesn't mean that it's the only obstacle, but it clearly is an obstacle. I don't see how the 2022 bid is the biggest problem since the NHL has spoken positively about going to China (not so South Korea in 2018) and the issue of NHL withdrawal has been negotiated for over a decade. I would say that the IOC's recent statements about insurance costs are a bigger issue, though this tournament was announced before the IOC made those comments.

 

[Frank the Tank]

There is room for more than one problem. That this tournament works against NHL involvement in the Olympics is given by Bill Daly already. It doesn't mean that it's the only obstacle, but it clearly is an obstacle. I don't see how the 2022 bid is the biggest problem since the NHL has spoken positively about going to China (not so South Korea in 2018) and the issue of NHL withdrawal has been negotiated for over a decade. I would say that the IOC's recent statements about insurance costs are a bigger issue, though this tournament was announced before the IOC made those comments.

Beijing winning the 2022 Winter Olympics wasn't the major problem. It was the fact that every North American or European bid withdrew their application because of the rampant IOC corruption that trickled down into the demands placed on host cities. For the NHL to participate long-term there needs to be regular Winter Olympics held in NA and European cities. As you mentioned, the IOC then withdrew covering insurance costs, which will only encourage the NHL/NHLPA to pursue a World Cup even more.

My point being that the IOC is pushing away the NHL just as much as the league and its players are trying to break free. To just label this tournament as a cash grab while idealizing the Olympic tournament remains too simplistic a view.

 

[TeamRenzo]

Because it would actually mean things going RIGHT when it comes to having real best-on-best hockey in the future.

Every person fawning over TNA now means more gimmicks (and no Olympics) down the road.

What is wrong with the way the tournament is set up? You have all the best players playing, who cares what the team is called.

TNA was a lot of fun to watch in the game last night.

 

[JackSlater]

Beijing winning the 2022 Winter Olympics wasn't the major problem. It was the fact that every North American or European bid withdrew their application because of the rampant IOC corruption that trickled down into the demands placed on host cities. For the NHL to participate long-term there needs to be regular Winter Olympics held in NA and European cities. As you mentioned, the IOC then withdrew covering insurance costs, which will only encourage the NHL/NHLPA to pursue a World Cup even more.

My point being that the IOC is pushing away the NHL just as much as the league and its players are trying to break free. To just label this tournament as a cash grab while idealizing the Olympic tournament remains too simplistic a view.

I agree that the IOC is a corrupt organization and an obstacle, the only point is that this tournament is another obstacle regardless of the IOC. This format was also announced a year (roughly) before the insurance issue was mentioned. I don't see many people here idealizing the Olympics themselves, as that usually happens in the threads regarding Olympics vs Canada/World/NHL Cup that sporadically pop up. The Olympic hockey tournament, which has been a great tournament the last five incarnations, is not the IOC. Issues with the IOC don't necessarily reflect issues with that specific hockey tournament, just like issues with Eagleson don't necessarily reflect issues with the Canada/World Cup.

In any event, I agree that the IOC is an issue. That doesn't make this tournament less of an issue however.

 

[Rebels57]

Forwards B+ (underrated group)
Defense- C+ (only because of Josi)
Goalies- B (Halak will be great)

COULD beat USA and Czech Republic.

Agreed that they can beat USA and Czech.

Chara and Streit need less ES ice time though. Lean heavily on Josi.

 

[iloveloov*]

I'm cheering for Luca Sbisa to be the MVP of this tournament.

 

[Elvs]

I'm cheering for Luca Sbisa to be the MVP of this tournament.

Sadly I think he's a lot more important to his team than many people realize. He is one of very few players who can bring physicality to that team.

 

[Jakk123]

2014 Olympics:
Sweden-Switzerland 1-0
Switzerland-Czech Republic 1-0
Russia-Slovakia 1-0 (SO)

2010 Olympics:
USA-Switzerland 3-1
Switzerland-Canada 2-3 (SO)
Czech Republic-Slovakia 3-1
Slovakia-Russia 2-1 (SO)
USA-Switzerland 2-0
Sweden-Slovakia 3-4

In the last three Olympics, Slovakia has only been crushed once (1-7 against USA in 2014) and Switzerland never. But apparently the U23 team steamrolling over team Europe 4-0 is that much better.

Bear in mind that Slovakia was a totally different team in 2010, though. And I still don't know how we took Russia into shootout in Sochi, even though they were playing pretty badly there, imo.

 

[Elvs]

Bear in mind that Slovakia was a totally different team in 2010, though. And I still don't know how we took Russia into shootout in Sochi, even though they were playing pretty badly there, imo.

My point wasn't that Slovakia would be a threat in this tournament, but neither is this Euro team.

Halak would still be in net. Chara and Sekera would still be there on defense. And swapping Sbisa, Ehrhoff and Seidenberg with Marincin, Meszaros and Jaros isn't going to destroy you.

The big drop-off would come up front. But a group of Hossa, Gaborik, Tatar, Dano, Jurco, Panik, Viedensky, Cehlarik and Reway to go along with those defenseman and that goalie, isn't going to be so bad that they are going to be steamrolled 0-10 in every game like some seem to suggest. And if they could just play a good structured system they could stay close in several games and pull off at least one upset.

I'd add Switzerland before Slovakia though. But can't go with seven teams so I'd add both.

 

[Canuckistani]

You have all the best players playing, who cares what the team is called.

We already have the NHL season for that.

 

[Jakk123]

My point wasn't that Slovakia would be a threat in this tournament, but neither is this Euro team.

Halak would still be in net. Chara and Sekera would still be there on defense. And swapping Sbisa, Ehrhoff and Seidenberg with Marincin, Meszaros and Jaros isn't going to destroy you.

The big drop-off would come up front. But a group of Hossa, Gaborik, Tatar, Dano, Jurco, Panik, Viedensky, Cehlarik and Reway to go along with those defenseman and that goalie, isn't going to be so bad that they are going to be steamrolled 0-10 in every game like some seem to suggest. And if they could just play a good structured system they could stay close in several games and pull off at least one upset.

I'd add Switzerland before Slovakia though. But can't go with seven teams so I'd add both.

Yeah, but to me Chara and Sekera looked like the weakest spots of the Europe's defense. Nevertheless, they could have included Slovakia and Switzerland at least for this edition of the WC and drop them out for the next ones, if they performed really badly, which I personally think they would. And then, just keep it at 6 teams or add some gimmick teams, whatever.

 

[Past Considerations]

What is wrong with the way the tournament is set up? You have all the best players playing, who cares what the team is called.

The two joke gimmick teams, that only and solely exist because of money instead of qualification or nations being selected based on some criteria (IIHF ranking for example), pulling the groups out of a hat (rigged for ratings and setting up the likeliest path for a USA-CAN final, but you have the best players on ice except for all the TNA players who couldn't be selected so who cares!) and generally the pre-season off-form timing, but at least this is when this tournament has been held in the past too.

Only things NHL did right: holding the tournament in one city (vs. 2004) and the best-of-3 final format.

 

[kp61c]

this team is a dumb gimmick that shows what a senseless circus this tourney is. cheer for it? get lost, lol.

 

[Past Considerations]

this team is a dumb gimmick that shows what a senseless circus this tourney is. cheer for it? get lost, lol.

The point of cheering is humiliation of NHL and their stupid idea.

 

[ps241]

I'm cheering for Luca Sbisa to be the MVP of this tournament.

Dare to dream my friend!!!

 

[kp61c]

The point of cheering is humiliation of NHL and their stupid idea.

you do it then, i so don't care that cheering would be a bit artificial and forced.

 

[MaxV]

Actually, I agree that people should root for Team Europe, but for a different reason then what was provided.

This team represents growth of hockey as international sport.

 

[MaxV]

I think that the circumstances of the two gimmick teams are very different.

The youngsters have more at stake here. They are eager to prove themselves on international stage as that could lead to eventual inclusion into their countries main teams.

Players on Team Europe have very little to prove or to play for in this tournament.

 

[Lempo]

I hope USA goes out early and North America advances. But yeah I think some of you are right. Czechs vs Finland is the best outcome. Embarrassed NHL but not quite enough to give them the idea to bring back the joke teams.

Would the Czech have eliminated USA in the Group A and Finland have done Canada in the semis, or the other way around? It would be kind of heartless to have Canada completely out of the playoffs... twice.

 

[tony d]

I'll be cheering for Team Canada but it'll be interesting to see Team Europe and how they do as well.