How to get the WCOH to appeal to you?

[JackSlater]

You sure post a lot for someone that finds it meaningless.

I post a fair amount about the World Championships as well, which is a tournament whose result I also find meaningless. It is too bad though that what this tournament represents is not meaningless.

The stupid looking trophy is the smallest problem this tournament has.

In slight defence of the strange trophy, its predecessors were just as odd in my eyes.

 

[Hackett]

Agreed. Two of the nations are even nations and I'm not talking about Team NA and Team Europe. I'm talking about team Canada and Team USA. They are not national teams if you are withholding players. I think they should just go with six teams. I don't mind team Europe as it gives countries a chance to get behind a powerhouse team, it's a new concept this time around and will take a few WHCs to get used to but I think it will grow on people as they get used to it.


There isn't enough talent for an 8 country tournament. 6 team tournament

Canada
USA
Sweden
Finland
Russia
Europe

I think we can include teams like Switzerland and Czech republic etc...

I know their chances of winning or being a contender are remote at best but it's not like other world cups like rugby and football also don't have those types of teams.

It will make the tournament less "gimmicky" at least.

 

[Hackett]

I swear the game yesterday was one of the best games I've ever seen. I'm not kidding.

“It was probably in the top three quickest games I’ve ever played. Maybe the top,†said U.S. checking centre David Backes.

It is scary that this is just an exhibition, and mainly, their first game they played together this season (!) oh my goodness.

I bet there was a lot of huffing and puffing going on. Players are getting accustomed to "game shape" by having their feet to the fire.

It probably was quick, but circumstances may make it feel like it was even quicker.

 

[njdevsfn95]

I must say as a logo, the trophy design is actually nice.

But its a ****ing awful trophy.

Maybe it will only be the logo...i hope

 

[sportsdynasty]

It's very appealing to me. The most intense and physical hockey I've ever seen and it's still exhibition. Love team NA.

 

[llwyd]

Yeah because the large amount of scrums and amount of hits in pre-tournament games is definitely good clean fun, and them not caring.

No, I was talking about my own reactions - it's fun hockey and there would be something very wrong if it would be an emotionless affair when the US and Canada or Finland and Sweden meet. I just don't care nearly much as I would about Olympics. This is a rather common European reaction, what can you do...

 

[John Eichel da GOAT]

Im sick of hearing the "gimmick" crap. This is much better than seeing Belarus, Japan, Germany, etc.. get smoked by the big boys.

I want the best players in the world playing and if that means Team NA or Team Canada B and Team Canada C then fine.

Canada
USA
Russia
Sweden
Finland
Czech Republic
Young Gunz (23 and under from every country). Add Barkov and Landeskog to the already fun team.
Team World (24 and over) - basically a combination of what would be Team Canada B and Team USA B if they could + Kopitar.
KHL All-Stars. Let these fools put together a team to have the NHL lay the smack down.
Team Misfits aka anyone not to make an above team. Basically Team Europe, but throw Kovalchuk, Selanne, Lidstrom and some other fun players on it.

 

[PG Canuck]

No, I was talking about my own reactions - it's fun hockey and there would be something very wrong if it would be an emotionless affair when the US and Canada or Finland and Sweden meet. I just don't care nearly much as I would about Olympics. This is a rather common European reaction, what can you do...

I would agree with you there. Other than Sweden, Finland and Russia there isn't much to pander to with the rest of the European crowds.

 

[PG Canuck]

Im sick of hearing the "gimmick" crap. This is much better than seeing Belarus, Japan, Germany, etc.. get smoked by the big boys.

I want the best players in the world playing and if that means Team NA or Team Canada B and Team Canada C then fine.

Canada
USA
Russia
Sweden
Finland
Czech Republic
Young Gunz (23 and under from every country). Add Barkov and Landeskog to the already fun team.
Team World (24 and over) - basically a combination of what would be Team Canada B and Team USA B if they could + Kopitar.
KHL All-Stars. Let these fools put together a team to have the NHL lay the smack down.
Team Misfits aka anyone not to make an above team. Basically Team Europe, but throw Kovalchuk, Selanne, Lidstrom and some other fun players on it.

This tournament would either have to start earlier, or have KHL teams let their top players play in a tournament they don't care about at all.

I don't even get the last team - a bunch of retired players? And if this wasn't a "gimmick" before...

 

[Sansbacon]

The exhibition games have proven that this is going to be an interesting and fun tournament. The last thing I'd want to do is reduce the amount of teams from 6 to 8. Wholeheartedly disagree with the OP about that, but I would like to see an expansion in the future.

 

[Past Considerations]

Im sick of hearing the "gimmick" crap. This is much better than seeing Belarus, Japan, Germany, etc.. get smoked by the big boys.

What a huge coincidence that you listed almost other possible countries except the most likely ones that are now missing. If you can come up which countries those are you are free to google results from past two Olympics and find out that from a dozen or so games between them and top 6 nation there was only one obvious blowout/throwaway game.

I want the best players in the world playing and if that means Team NA or Team Canada B and Team Canada C then fine.

Canada
USA
Russia
Sweden
Finland
Czech Republic
Young Gunz (23 and under from every country). Add Barkov and Landeskog to the already fun team.
Team World (24 and over) - basically a combination of what would be Team Canada B and Team USA B if they could + Kopitar.
KHL All-Stars. Let these fools put together a team to have the NHL lay the smack down.
Team Misfits aka anyone not to make an above team. Basically Team Europe, but throw Kovalchuk, Selanne, Lidstrom and some other fun players on it.

Congratulations. You are the perfect fan Bettman is looking for.

 

[Xokkeu]

The exhibition games have proven that this is going to be an interesting and fun tournament. The last thing I'd want to do is reduce the amount of teams from 6 to 8. Wholeheartedly disagree with the OP about that, but I would like to see an expansion in the future.

I think most people advocate 6 teams just because they don't want to see the fake teams in it.

 

[Past Considerations]

I think most people advocate 6 teams just because they don't want to see the fake teams in it.

That and it is a good rebuttal to anyone who defends these fake teams with higher level of competition.

As a bonus, 6 teams would also make it possible to have all teams in one group. Something not seen in international tournaments in a while.

 

[Atas2000]

I am curious. There was a discussion on the radio about how this is going to fly and if this could legitimately replace the Olympics.

I think this does still need to be a best on best tournament just like the Olympics. As intrigued as I am by Team North America, it's kind of gimmicky.

I'd love to get SHL/KHL guys over for the tournament if Team Russia/Czech/Fin/Belarus etc want these guys.

Basically I want it to be the Olympics all over again, but obviously the NHL will back it much more because they can actually use the footage and they get money out of it. The insurance cost for KHL/SHL etc can be handled for sure.

If all the above happened, the next best thing is that it is on smaller ice. I thought the Vancouver games were awesome but I found the Sochi games to be slow and too much trap hockey. The best game was definitely Canada-U.S. and it was a 1-goal game, sometimes tight games like that are real nail biters but overall, the hockey felt slow.

So in short I probably want the Olympics on smaller ice and to get traditional countries back in the fold like Slovakia, Germany, Belarus etc.

How about you?

They will never reach olympic level because of the bias. There can't be an impartial international tournament organized by the NHL.

Aside from that, get rid of the idiotic inventions of Team Europe and Team NA, just let more countries participate. And put he tournament in a time frame when players aren't coming right of the beach. That would make it a close #2 to Olympics.

P.S. I get it, the NHL is trying to kill Olympics actually and press the NA ideology with those bogus teams. Thus I have no desire to see them succeed.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

The USA-Canada games have been fun.

When some of these big teams square off in the tournament games, it'll be some of the most entertaining hockey we'll see for a while.

It's hard to see why someone won't find it appealing.

 

[Xokkeu]

That and it is a good rebuttal to anyone who defends these fake teams with higher level of competition.

As a bonus, 6 teams would also make it possible to have all teams in one group. Something not seen in international tournaments in a while.

Oh man if this was a six team round robin type tournament like in the old days I'd be so excited for it.

 

[Do Make Say Think]

More countries being good.

We have five great countries: Canada, Finland, Russia, Sweden and USA.

That's just not enough to make a large compelling tournament.

Make it best of three round robin then have elimination game to decide the top team.

 

[Legionnaire]

I will not watch if they put ads on the jerseys.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

it's competitive hockey before the regular season starts, i'm looking forward to it

 

[Seanaconda]

P.S. I get it, the NHL is trying to kill Olympics actually and press the NA ideology with those bogus teams. Thus I have no desire to see them succeed.

That's speculation the nhl always makes a fuss about going to the Olympics. Them stopping the league and having the chance for teams top players getting injured in the middle of the season for a tourny they don't make a profit from.

If they don't go to the next Olympics I think it will be more because no one else will cover the costs of insuring the players.

I don't think they would included the fake teams too if they were really set on getting out of the Olympics. Make the tournys the same and Noone would be nearly upset about the thought of this replacing the Olympics.

I see it as more of a threat if anything to show they can make there own tournament if they want to and make their own profit on it so the Olympics will pay for just the operating/ logistics cost for sending their players to a tournament the Olympics make the profit from.

 

[Past Considerations]

I will not watch if they put ads on the jerseys.

There's a small "SAP" badge on the shoulders. It is a slippery slope from now on, but honestly looks better than the huge stickers full of whitespace IIHF puts on shoulders and on the helmets.

 

[Xokkeu]

More countries being good.

We have five great countries: Canada, Finland, Russia, Sweden and USA.

That's just not enough to make a large compelling tournament.

Make it best of three round robin then have elimination game to decide the top team.

It's funny, for being the most popular sport in the world there are only 8 nations that have won a World Cup. A tournament that dates back to 1930.


Rugby only has four World Cup winners.

Basketball only has four gold medalists and two of those came as pseudo professional teams beat amateurs.

 

[Kasper92]

Im sick of hearing the "gimmick" crap. This is much better than seeing Belarus, Japan, Germany, etc.. get smoked by the big boys.

I want the best players in the world playing and if that means Team NA or Team Canada B and Team Canada C then fine....

What, your're tired of reading the word "gimmick" in every post of a thread comprised of 3 crotchety 120 year olds? "We will never recognize the illegitimate authority of this false international tournament." Give it a break grandpa, the war is over. The 20th century is dead and gone. No one cares about your corny nationalistic attachments or your standard of a "real" hockey tournament.

The only tournament that would be 100% fair and exciting is Canada vs. the World. Simple best of 7, team world can substitute any players they want.

 

[Seanaconda]

What, your're tired of reading the word "gimmick" in every post of a thread comprised of 3 crotchety 120 year olds? "We will never recognize the illegitimate authority of this false international tournament." Give it a break grandpa, the war is over. The 20th century is dead and gone. No one cares about your corny nationalistic attachments or your standard of a "real" hockey tournament.

The only tournament that would be 100% fair and exciting is Canada vs. the World. Simple best of 7, team world can substitute any players they want.

The same people wouldn't like it because the world isn't a nation. Of course team world lost they aren't even playing for their country why would they be motivated and on and on.

 

[JackSlater]

Im sick of hearing the "gimmick" crap. This is much better than seeing Belarus, Japan, Germany, etc.. get smoked by the big boys.

I would look up the definition of the word "gimmick" so that you can understand that "gimmick" is a very accurate way to describe those teams.

That's speculation the nhl always makes a fuss about going to the Olympics. Them stopping the league and having the chance for teams top players getting injured in the middle of the season for a tourny they don't make a profit from.

If they don't go to the next Olympics I think it will be more because no one else will cover the costs of insuring the players.

I don't think they would included the fake teams too if they were really set on getting out of the Olympics. Make the tournys the same and Noone would be nearly upset about the thought of this replacing the Olympics.

I see it as more of a threat if anything to show they can make there own tournament if they want to and make their own profit on it so the Olympics will pay for just the operating/ logistics cost for sending their players to a tournament the Olympics make the profit from.

The NHL announced that the success of this tournament could lead to the NHL pulling out of the Olympics a year before the IOC said that it would stop paying insurance costs. The IOC is absolutely a factor, but your line of thinking doesn't match the timeline.

What, your're tired of reading the word "gimmick" in every post of a thread comprised of 3 crotchety 120 year olds? "We will never recognize the illegitimate authority of this false international tournament." Give it a break grandpa, the war is over. The 20th century is dead and gone. No one cares about your corny nationalistic attachments or your standard of a "real" hockey tournament.

Yes, what kind of fool would expect nationalism in a supposedly international tournament? You'd have to be pretty daft, or at least a person who understands what the word international means.