SirKillalot
Registered User
Do people realize that to get hockey to be more popular around the world and get more good National teams, there need to be spots for the "worse" teams for them to have a chance to improve and get better.
Ideal International Tournament Format With No Constraints?
- Thread starter Trap Jesus
- Start date
Some thoughts on this:
I think a premier event like the Olympic Games (OG) or the World Cup (WC) should be every 2nd season, just like in soccer (World Cup / Continental Championship).
The OG have the ideal calendar slot. Soccer-style post-season WC wouldn't work because playoffs mean different teams end their season in different time. February would be better than pre-season because the players are in better form than in pre-season. On the other hand, teams wouldn't want international matches so close to the playoffs.
I think the NHL players' Olympic presence is important for the game and it also promotes the NHL. The OG are a great way to promote the sport to people who usually don't follow it. Then, two seasons before/after the OG, there could be a WC to have more premier events.
I think 12 is a good number of teams for the OG. On the other hand, it's a bit bad number for the tournament structure. Torino-style six-team round robin groups would seem fair but a long round robin may encourage to tank for a better playoff draw. On the other hand, I don't like the current system's "best #2" thing.
I'd go as far as scrapping the QFs and having two-leg SFs and final (like at the World Ch'ship at late '90s). (Bronze match would be one-leg) I think one-match playoffs are too random for such an important event. Best-of-three would be even better but the uncertainty of the Game 3 wouldn't fit to the Olympic schedule. The round robin could be two groups of six with two advancing or even four groups of three with only one advancing. And one more change. Have a continuos OT in the final. It's the last match of the tournament, nobody cares if you're still playing in the following morning. SFs obviously need penalties after an OT but at least have a 20min OT.
The WC is an event I like. I liked how the four Euro Group teams always played at either team's home country as well as the two North American teams. What I'd change would be getting rid of the QFs. As they are played within the group, it's like the round robin didn't matter at all. And I'd introduce multi-leg playoffs. I think best-of-three SFs and final would work in the WC. February would be the ideal time slot but if the NHL doesn't want it, pre-season is OK. I think eight teams is good. Only the best national teams in the World.
I think a premier event like the Olympic Games (OG) or the World Cup (WC) should be every 2nd season, just like in soccer (World Cup / Continental Championship).
The OG have the ideal calendar slot. Soccer-style post-season WC wouldn't work because playoffs mean different teams end their season in different time. February would be better than pre-season because the players are in better form than in pre-season. On the other hand, teams wouldn't want international matches so close to the playoffs.
I think the NHL players' Olympic presence is important for the game and it also promotes the NHL. The OG are a great way to promote the sport to people who usually don't follow it. Then, two seasons before/after the OG, there could be a WC to have more premier events.
I think 12 is a good number of teams for the OG. On the other hand, it's a bit bad number for the tournament structure. Torino-style six-team round robin groups would seem fair but a long round robin may encourage to tank for a better playoff draw. On the other hand, I don't like the current system's "best #2" thing.
I'd go as far as scrapping the QFs and having two-leg SFs and final (like at the World Ch'ship at late '90s). (Bronze match would be one-leg) I think one-match playoffs are too random for such an important event. Best-of-three would be even better but the uncertainty of the Game 3 wouldn't fit to the Olympic schedule. The round robin could be two groups of six with two advancing or even four groups of three with only one advancing. And one more change. Have a continuos OT in the final. It's the last match of the tournament, nobody cares if you're still playing in the following morning. SFs obviously need penalties after an OT but at least have a 20min OT.
The WC is an event I like. I liked how the four Euro Group teams always played at either team's home country as well as the two North American teams. What I'd change would be getting rid of the QFs. As they are played within the group, it's like the round robin didn't matter at all. And I'd introduce multi-leg playoffs. I think best-of-three SFs and final would work in the WC. February would be the ideal time slot but if the NHL doesn't want it, pre-season is OK. I think eight teams is good. Only the best national teams in the World.
year 1 (e g 2014) the Olympics, in February, NHL takes approx. a 20 days break.
12 teams, top 10 according to IIHF ranking directly qualified, 2 spots available for all other teams (qualification tournaments held in September).
year 2 (e g 2015) the World Championships, in May, NHL runs whole year without a break.
16 teams, 14 teams from previous World Champs directly qualified + best two teams from Division 1.
year 3 (e g 2016) the World Cup, held approx Dec 27 - Jan 10. NHL takes approx. a 20 days break.
10 teams, top 8 according to the IIHF world ranking, 2 spots available for all other teams who wish to qualify (qualification tournaments held in September).
This tournament is arranged by the NHL, all possible profits belong to the NHL and it will always be held in North America.
Btw: the WJC is held at the same time, somewhere in Europe - all U20 NHL players will be able to participate in their WJC tournament, since NHL will be on a break.
year 4 (e g 2017) the World Championships, in May, NHL runs whole year without a break.
16 teams, 14 teams from previous World Champs directly qualified + best two teams from Division 1.
after that, another 4-year cycle begins...
So, in summary: The World Championships, very similar to what we have know are held every 2nd year, lower divisions will have longer tournaments (two year tournaments to decide the division winners).
At least once in 4 years a best-on-best tournament will be held in Canada or USA. NHL has to take a (20 days) break every other year, but several months before the Stanley Cup playoffs begin.
12 teams, top 10 according to IIHF ranking directly qualified, 2 spots available for all other teams (qualification tournaments held in September).
year 2 (e g 2015) the World Championships, in May, NHL runs whole year without a break.
16 teams, 14 teams from previous World Champs directly qualified + best two teams from Division 1.
year 3 (e g 2016) the World Cup, held approx Dec 27 - Jan 10. NHL takes approx. a 20 days break.
10 teams, top 8 according to the IIHF world ranking, 2 spots available for all other teams who wish to qualify (qualification tournaments held in September).
This tournament is arranged by the NHL, all possible profits belong to the NHL and it will always be held in North America.
Btw: the WJC is held at the same time, somewhere in Europe - all U20 NHL players will be able to participate in their WJC tournament, since NHL will be on a break.
year 4 (e g 2017) the World Championships, in May, NHL runs whole year without a break.
16 teams, 14 teams from previous World Champs directly qualified + best two teams from Division 1.
after that, another 4-year cycle begins...
So, in summary: The World Championships, very similar to what we have know are held every 2nd year, lower divisions will have longer tournaments (two year tournaments to decide the division winners).
At least once in 4 years a best-on-best tournament will be held in Canada or USA. NHL has to take a (20 days) break every other year, but several months before the Stanley Cup playoffs begin.
Last edited by a moderator:
Latest posts
-
-
-
HF Habs: Trade Proposal Thread #91: 2025 Trade Deadline edition- Latest: Team_Spirit
-
