Has your stance on the World Cup changed for the better?

[Urbanskog]

No, and I haven't watched a single game and I don't intend to watch one either as that would mean that I am supportive of the NHL withdrawing from the Olympics.

 

[Ezekial]

Like I've said before, good hockey isn't enough. For me to really enjoy, I need passion and pride. In a real international tournament, best-on-best or not, it doesn't matter, I only care about Team Canada. I want the players from the same country as me to win. National pride is the #1 reason of international competition. With the gimmick teams, it negates that reason. I feel no passion watching these games. In the event that Team NA is in the final against Team Canada, I don't see how I'm going to have the same excitement of winning against players who are of the same country as mine.

How can you justify watching club hockey then?

I saw plenty of passion and pride being displayed on the ice tonight. Whatever, your enjoyment of the game isn't very important to me, cheers.

 

[Chaels Arms]

I'm cool with it. The main worry was that the players wouldn't take it seriously but pretty much everyone is playing hard. It obviously doesn't have the pedigree and history of the Olympics but it has the potential to be a good event.

I'm torn on the gimmick teams. It takes away some legitimacy that countries can't pick from their entire roster of players but it has been fun as hell watching team NA. I also think it's a way to showcase a lot of players that wouldn't have been playing in the tournament since Canada is so stacked.

 

[Canuck21t]

Or just cheer for Canada AND NA.

I only want to cheer for one team, my national team and I'm only satisfied when Team Canada beats players from other countries. Seeing Canada beat McDavid just doesn't make sense to me as we all know McDavid aspires to be one day part of Team Canada. That's messed-up. Inter-national should strictly be among national teams and nothing else.

Team NA had enough passion to ignite the Russians.

Team NA is full of skills, of course they're going to ignite something, but I know for sure that McDavid never dreamed of beating Team Canada and it's that's possibility that makes this tournament a completely joke. I personally have never witness such a weirdly conceived tournament in any sport.

 

[Ainec]

No doubt in my mind Team NA will give everything they have against Canada or the US if they make it to the finals.

Their style of play and enthusiasm is eerily similar to the WJC U20 and most of these players were a part of those

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

No, and I haven't watched a single game and I don't intend to watch one either as that would mean that I am supportive of the NHL withdrawing from the Olympics.

So you support the crooked IOC instead?

They're more at fault if the NHL players don't participate in the Olympics.

 

[Xokkeu]

You understand what a Straw Man argument is I hope?

Are you going to make one?

 

[Xokkeu]

Keep your strawman arguments coming if you wish.

This isn't an all star game because there is no current season going on.

Would I prefer an all star week long tournament during the middle of the season...what an absolutely ridiculous and irrelevant question.

I haven't made an argument. I'm just asking you to explain your position. Which you apparently find difficult or impossible.

 

[TLeafsFan]

I only want to cheer for one team, my national team and I'm only satisfied when Team Canada beats players from other countries. Seeing Canada beat McDavid just doesn't makes sense to me as we all know McDavid aspires to be one day part of Team Canada. That's messed-up. Inter-national should strictly be among national team and nothing else.


Team NA is full of skills, of course they're going to ignite something, but I know for sure, that McDavid never dreamed of beating Team Canada and it's that's possibility that makes this tournament a completely joke. I personally have never witness such a weirdly conceived tournament in any sport.

Okey dokey then.

I'm pretty sure that McDavid is dreaming about the opportunity to beat Canada right now, because he's representing something even bigger and I hope he gets the chance to do so and will cheer him on regardless.

If it happens, I still cheer for Canada but would still get some warm and fuzzies if NA manages to beat them.

But they won't. Canada is too good.

 

[Canuck21t]

How can you justify watching club hockey then?

I saw plenty of passion and pride being displayed on the ice tonight. Whatever, your enjoyment of the game isn't very important to me, cheers.

Club hockey is a different concept; you cheer for the club and it is understood that the players can come from anywhere. International is a different way of rooting and it has always meant between nations. Players of the same citizenship vs players of other citizenship. Crosby vs McDavid? Not international anymore nor is vs. Europe as that is another continent, not a nation.

 

[KingsFan7824]

True!! Lol.....but they are killing each other because every single one of them want that freeking Cup so badly!!! Certainly can't compare winning a WC to the Stanley Cup

True, they're different. Still, a guy like Babcock didn't get to where he is in life because he wasn't trying to win whatever he was involved in. Same with the players. If I had to bet, I'd say Canada would go after NA as much as any other country should they meet. Including against Canada's new golden boy that isn't on Team Canada, and the Leafs new golden boy who Babcock will be coaching in a few days.

 

[Canuck21t]

Okey dokey then.

I'm pretty sure that McDavid is dreaming about the opportunity to beat Canada right now, because he's representing something even bigger and I hope he gets the chance to do so and will cheer him on regardless.

If it happens, I still cheer for Canada but would still get some warm and fuzzies if NA manages to beat them.

But they won't. Canada is too good.

No, I'm pretty sure he never dreamt of that.

I also don't want some warm and fuzzies feeling if the other team manages to beat Team Canada. I want to hate to lose to that other team. That what makes a win so much better. Winning against other Canadians? Meh.

True, they're different. Still, a guy like Babcock didn't get to where he is in life because he wasn't trying to win whatever he was involved in. Same with the players. If I had to bet, I'd say Canada would go after NA as much as any other country should they meet. Including against Canada's new golden boy that isn't on Team Canada, and the Leafs new golden boy who Babcock will be coaching in a few days.

They will do their best, but it wouldn't be the same as beating a real country.

 

[Ainec]

for me, Komarov's hit on Rielly's partner Ekblad is the difference between Playoffs hockey vs Olympic and World Cup play

there is no way he delivers that hit on Morgan Rielly on international stage. But Ekblad is fair game

 

[Hanji]

Pleasantly surprised. It's good entertainment, but I'm not emotionally invested in it like I would be the olympics or WJC.
I'm enjoying it like I would the Spengler Cup.

 

[Canuck21t]

Pleasantly surprised. It's good entertainment, but I'm not emotionally invested in it like I would be the olympics or WJC.
I'm enjoying it like I would the Spengler Cup.

This is exactly how I feel about this tournament, minus the pleasantly surprised.

 

[TLeafsFan]

No, I'm pretty sure he never dreamt of that.


They will do their best, but it wouldn't be the same as beating a real country.

He wouldn't have signed up for this tournament if he didn't.

Just like getting 5 points the first time he played the Leafs.

 

[Akhurite]

It's a meaningless exhibition tournament to me so I don't think so. You won't change my position and I won't change yours so leave it at that.

All professional hockey is, is entertainment. It is the best players playing and they're playing hard. Stop going out of your way to dislike it and try to enjoy the best talents in the world on display.

 

[Canuck21t]

It's the closest to "best on best" that any international tournament has ever been.

Didn't watch the WHC, haven't really watched the Olympics since Vancouver, but I've watched most of these games. Small ice is the biggest selling point, but not having fodder teams there helps as well. The additions of NA and EU also alleviate some of the BS nationalism and allow me cheer solely for skill instead, which is the most/only important thing in sport.

Now please just nobody get hurt before the NHL season.

I can understand for people who aren't into nationalism, like the person above, are enjoying this rendition of the World Cup, it makes sense. For people like me who watch international competition for national pride, then this tournament makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

 

[llwyd]

Nah, it's been pretty much what I expected: entertaining but not very meaningful. Good fun and hopefully no serious injuries.

 

[Soundwave]

This is way more entertaining to me than the Stanley Cup playoffs. Not gonna lie.

Especially Team North America. They are a joy to watch.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I personally have never witness such a weirdly conceived tournament in any sport.

It's not that weird. It's your basic tournament, but it's created by the NHL and NHLPA, so they wanted as many PA members as they could get to be involved, which is the reason for the two odd teams. They wanted to try to create some leverage against the Olympics, to keep it paying for the NHL players to participate.

They will do their best, but it wouldn't be the same as beating a real country.

It's not like they're playing for gold medals to begin with, so yeah, it's not the same from the get go, no matter who they beat. There's something to be said for tradition, and country vs. country. There's also something to be said for something that's unique. If Canada meets NA, when are you going to see those same variables come together the same way again? It could be great, and you can say you saw it happen.

 

[Loffer]

Oh bhoy, these hybrid teams are best what has happened in hockey since the invention of Canada Cup and the final series of 1987. Hahah.

What a refreshing concept. And the hockey itself is very nice and entertaining.

Another thing altogether is the question of Olympics in the future or even the status of this competition sport wise. This might be a shameless commercial show and a rip off. And watching the first game was like watching commercials con hockey.

Somebody gets lots of bucks by this hoax. But if people pay they pay. And this hoax is best of entertainment anyway. Team Europe and Team NA U23 - god i love that.

 

[SlimCharles]

Why is there a team North America and Team Europe?

 

[RandV]

I'm cool with it. The main worry was that the players wouldn't take it seriously but pretty much everyone is playing hard. It obviously doesn't have the pedigree and history of the Olympics but it has the potential to be a good event.

I'm torn on the gimmick teams. It takes away some legitimacy that countries can't pick from their entire roster of players but it has been fun as hell watching team NA. I also think it's a way to showcase a lot of players that wouldn't have been playing in the tournament since Canada is so stacked.

I don't think that should have ever been a worry. I believe it comes down to a simple binary question for the players: do you enjoy playing hockey?

Regardless of what some fans may find to be 'meaningless', sort these pro's into teams and place them into a tournament with a 1st place reward and they're going to compete. Hell just look at last seasons all-star game: change the format to a 4 team mini tournament with cash prize for the winner, and suddenly everyone's trying a lot harder.

There are legit concerns for anyone believing this is an NHL replacement for the Olympics, but aside from that good hockey is good hockey. You're missing out if you're not watching.

 

[Canuck21t]

It's not that weird. It's your basic tournament, but it's created by the NHL and NHLPA, so they wanted as many PA members as they could get to be involved, which is the reason for the two odd teams. They wanted to try to create some leverage against the Olympics, to keep it paying for the NHL players to participate.

It IS weird, I've never heard of such a tournament before. It's either between nations or it's not international. Really, this is not rocket science.

It's not like they're playing for gold medals to begin with, so yeah, it's not the same from the get go, no matter who they beat. There's something to be said for tradition, and country vs. country. There's also something to be said for something that's unique. If Canada meets NA, when are you going to see those same variables come together the same way again? It could be great, and you can say you saw it happen.

The Canada Cup had no medal either, yet it made sense. The last two World Cup also no medal yet it was still a legitimate international tournament. Not this one.

I'm perfectly fine with never witnessing Canada meeting NA. I see no pleasure in seeing Canadians beating other Canadians. For that, I can simply watch the regular NHL games.