WC: Improving the tournament for North America
- Thread starter NHL Dude 120
- Start date
What I think is actually being missed is that the World's are getting more popular in the US. They are actually on TV now and cross promoted with NBC's NHL coverage. Hockey fans are actually talking about them.
The fallacy is comparing them to the Stanley Cup playoffs and wondering why they aren't as popular as that.
The fallacy is comparing them to the Stanley Cup playoffs and wondering why they aren't as popular as that.
I actually think it's as simple as this. Just start the NHL season earlier and a lot of "problems" would be "solved".
Also the NHL season could be played with less games. Today it's 80 I think, they could play 60-70 instead, and this would "solve" things too.
But, the NHL owners would make less cash and lose interest to the WC. Also players could get injuries, which is also a matter of costs. The bigger WC gets the less money NHL gets, in one way or another.
So, 60-70 games and start the season one or two weeks earlier and it's game on.
One of the great mysteries of life: All of the "uninterested" North Americans who post frequently about the WC's.
Chileiceman
Registered User
I think the most feasible solution would be to have all leagues start in October, which would allow them to end in May. WC's can then start after the second round of the playoffs. This would make widen the talent pool available for the tournament, and give some players a longer break between the end of the season and the WC's.
The round that gets the most eyeballs in NA are the first two rounds, for the simple reason that there are more teams involved. If the WC's have better players in them, the casuals might then shift their focus to them rather than tuning the sport out entirely once their team is eliminated.
However, my favorite idea would be to have them in September every year. Instead of a full pre season, the players who aren't in the WC's can go off to Traverse City or something and play some games that nobody will care about just so they can get into game shape while the WC's are going on. It would be similar to the World Cup, except you qualify based on IIHF rank rather than invitation. Limit Division I to 12 teams rather than 16. One group plays in Europe, the other plays in NA (obviously Canada and US play here). Top two teams from each group make it to the final four, which will be held in a major hockey city every year (Europe and NA alternate).
After the tournament, NHL'ers report to their clubs. There would only be 3 or 4 pre-season games remaining.
The round that gets the most eyeballs in NA are the first two rounds, for the simple reason that there are more teams involved. If the WC's have better players in them, the casuals might then shift their focus to them rather than tuning the sport out entirely once their team is eliminated.
However, my favorite idea would be to have them in September every year. Instead of a full pre season, the players who aren't in the WC's can go off to Traverse City or something and play some games that nobody will care about just so they can get into game shape while the WC's are going on. It would be similar to the World Cup, except you qualify based on IIHF rank rather than invitation. Limit Division I to 12 teams rather than 16. One group plays in Europe, the other plays in NA (obviously Canada and US play here). Top two teams from each group make it to the final four, which will be held in a major hockey city every year (Europe and NA alternate).
After the tournament, NHL'ers report to their clubs. There would only be 3 or 4 pre-season games remaining.
How would the leagues starting in October allow them to end in May?
Is your supposed "solution" the idea that instead of trying to get as many players as possible to participate, you have the European leagues also go on while the World Championship is underway, thus having even less?
I really don't understand what you are trying to say here.
a) the European leagues all start in September and are finished at the end of April
b) the NHL already starts in October, and it usually isn't finished until late May / early June
c) the tournament starts when round 2 of the NHL-playoffs is more than half-way finished
I don't see how your change improves anything at all.
As for your favorite idea: absolutely not. Preseason is the worst time to hold a tournament. It makes a mockery out of it. Players are completely out of playing-shape. Having two groups, one of which always plays in North America doesn't sound like a good idea either, nor does hosting a final four. It's stupid enough that they allow two countries to host at the same time. It takes away all the fun of hosting the tournament. Up until they came up with this stupid idea when Sweden and Finland shared the tournament twice, having your country host the World Championship was an event among the hockey fanbase. Sharing it takes away the fun of being the host.
Beyond that, NHL-teams sure would love to not being able to get their players to learn their system, 3-4 pre-season games are not nearly enough to get a good look at anything.
Is your supposed "solution" the idea that instead of trying to get as many players as possible to participate, you have the European leagues also go on while the World Championship is underway, thus having even less?
I really don't understand what you are trying to say here.
a) the European leagues all start in September and are finished at the end of April
b) the NHL already starts in October, and it usually isn't finished until late May / early June
c) the tournament starts when round 2 of the NHL-playoffs is more than half-way finished
I don't see how your change improves anything at all.
As for your favorite idea: absolutely not. Preseason is the worst time to hold a tournament. It makes a mockery out of it. Players are completely out of playing-shape. Having two groups, one of which always plays in North America doesn't sound like a good idea either, nor does hosting a final four. It's stupid enough that they allow two countries to host at the same time. It takes away all the fun of hosting the tournament. Up until they came up with this stupid idea when Sweden and Finland shared the tournament twice, having your country host the World Championship was an event among the hockey fanbase. Sharing it takes away the fun of being the host.
Beyond that, NHL-teams sure would love to not being able to get their players to learn their system, 3-4 pre-season games are not nearly enough to get a good look at anything.
Chileiceman
Registered User
I meant that the tournament would start after the conclusion of the second round and the European leagues finish their playoffs. As it stands today, players who come after the second round can only make it for the medal rounds, like Ovechkin did a couple years ago. If you start it after the second round, there would be some more talent available.
As for the September start, it's been done many times with Canada Cups and Word Cups. There have been some pretty epic moments in those tournaments, so I'm not concerned with rust. Teams can have a minicamp at the end of August to prep for the tournament. Also fewer players will decline because of fatigue or being banged up from the season.
The question was how North Americans would become more interested. Ensuring that their teams play on home soil for the entirety or at least most of the tournament , is one way to accomplish that. Better start times for people to be able to watch because of the timezone.
Pre-season games are useful mainly for the coaching staff to look at fringe NHL'ers and prospects, most of which wouldn't be in the WC's anyways. There would still be enough time for players to learn and implement systems before the season starts.
QnebO
Wheel, snipe, celly
- Feb 11, 2010
- 9,763
- 644
First:
Start NHL 2 weeks earlier and World Championships 3 weeks later and it's going to be great. If needed, start euro leagues 2 weeks later also.
This would simply make it work and not chance money income ect too much like shortening season or something crazy like that.
Second:
Host the World Championships in NA every other year, and in Europe in every other year.
When playing in NA, use NHL rules and rink.
When playing in Europe, use any size rink between NHL and IIHF, and IIHF rules or host country league rules like FEL rules.
This is how we embrace the different hockey cultures and variations we have in the World instead of trying to make one standard and kill other rink sizes or rules. How modern is that? It fit's perfectly to the spirit of this era and time.
Split the revenue 50-50 between IIHF and NHL from every Championships held. When NHL gets 50% from European held Championships, it ensures they really are in it, boosting it, and Vice Versa.
And that's how every one would be happy.. I should be the king who decides these things. But instead, they are arrogant and greedy and can't get it done. IIHF should understand it needs the NHL and split the revenue and start to hold it like I tell them to.
Start NHL 2 weeks earlier and World Championships 3 weeks later and it's going to be great. If needed, start euro leagues 2 weeks later also.
This would simply make it work and not chance money income ect too much like shortening season or something crazy like that.
Second:
Host the World Championships in NA every other year, and in Europe in every other year.
When playing in NA, use NHL rules and rink.
When playing in Europe, use any size rink between NHL and IIHF, and IIHF rules or host country league rules like FEL rules.
This is how we embrace the different hockey cultures and variations we have in the World instead of trying to make one standard and kill other rink sizes or rules. How modern is that? It fit's perfectly to the spirit of this era and time.
Split the revenue 50-50 between IIHF and NHL from every Championships held. When NHL gets 50% from European held Championships, it ensures they really are in it, boosting it, and Vice Versa.
And that's how every one would be happy.. I should be the king who decides these things. But instead, they are arrogant and greedy and can't get it done. IIHF should understand it needs the NHL and split the revenue and start to hold it like I tell them to.
Last edited:
Rob
Registered User
Jussi
Registered User
Olympic years it's always later but the European leagues running later than ever has pushed them even later.
Jussi
Registered User
Rob
Registered User
But a great time for Canada.
Seriously though, I wonder if they could move the tournament to September ever few years to allow it to be hosted in North America again?
Jussi
Registered User
But a great time for Canada.
Seriously though, I wonder if they could move the tournament to September ever few years to allow it to be hosted in North America again?
You do know that North America can host the tournament in April/May anytime they want to apply for it? Nothing's stopping them.
1Gold Standard
Registered User
- Jun 13, 2012
- 7,986
- 317
Hockey Canada can't apply to host the tournament because there are no local organizing committees to apply to Hockey Canada for the right to host the event because arena availability is not 100% guaranteed 2 years in advance. (Yes, insert Edmonton Oiler and Toronto Maple leaf joke)
So, without local organizers Hockey Canada can't make a bid to host. Maybe when Quebec gets their arena finished...but it won't be long after that an NHL team will be in Quebec City... Halifax is a junior rink..was ok in a pinch in 08...but I think they prefer 2 NHL arenas next time. really, I'm in no rush for this event to be in N. America any time soon... I'd prefer to keep in Europe. I'd much rather see the A team play in the World Cup in N. America. leave the WHC in Europe.
QnebO
Wheel, snipe, celly
- Feb 11, 2010
- 9,763
- 644
Meaningless to even think about other choises when it's clear that only way that it would make sense different from current is starting NHL 2 weeks earlier, keeping the tournament 3 weeks later. It would be most simple agreement and wouldn't dramatically change anything.
You can make million reasons why not from your head but the truth is it just takes some political will and part of the money needs to go for NHL, then it's going to work out perfectly. Why would NHL get 0% of the money when it's players play keyrole in winning the tournament and USA and Canada are always full NHL squads? I don't even get how it can be that way now. NHL actually does deserve a mini cut even if it doesn't help at making it happen at all. Change the money plan, change the times, and Skoda Cup Will be known and more respected in NA too.
You can make million reasons why not from your head but the truth is it just takes some political will and part of the money needs to go for NHL, then it's going to work out perfectly. Why would NHL get 0% of the money when it's players play keyrole in winning the tournament and USA and Canada are always full NHL squads? I don't even get how it can be that way now. NHL actually does deserve a mini cut even if it doesn't help at making it happen at all. Change the money plan, change the times, and Skoda Cup Will be known and more respected in NA too.
Nothing needs to be improved. It's a great tournament as is.
That said, the NHL could get on the rest of the world's schedule and end their season at a decent time so more players are available or take an international break mid-season if the IIHF is willing to move the WC up a bit.
But since so many players decline anyway, there doesn't seem much point in either of those things. But that's ok with me. Our team is usually way more fun to cheer for than a roster full of overpaid NHL primadonnas would be.
That said, the NHL could get on the rest of the world's schedule and end their season at a decent time so more players are available or take an international break mid-season if the IIHF is willing to move the WC up a bit.
But since so many players decline anyway, there doesn't seem much point in either of those things. But that's ok with me. Our team is usually way more fun to cheer for than a roster full of overpaid NHL primadonnas would be.
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