KHL and the World Cup (Mod warning post 355)

[kp61c]

As opposed to the worlds and Olympics? If having to play in North America is so unfair to Europeans, doesn't it follow that the reverse is also true? I suspect not.

NHL refs are unfair, yet the IOC uses them in all their meaningful games. NHL rules are so different and unfair, yet the IOC uses NHL refs to enforce IIHL rules. Small ice is unfair, yet the majority of Europeans who would play at the World Cup make their living on it.

This is all so ridiculous, as is the whining about the World Cup being a cash grab. I had no idea tickets to the Olympics and worlds are free!

yet, you make your case comparing a privately owned league (yes?) to an international federation. that's fundamentally wrong

 

[Jussi]

Anything that puts International Hockey with the best players in the World on the SURFACE Hockey is MEANT to be PLAYED on is terrific. Finally no big ice, exciting, attacking Hockey after the worst Olympics of all time, will be glad to see what Hockey can show at it's highest level.

If you think national teams can't defend, trap or collapse the net on small ice, well I'm afraid I've got some bad news for you.

 

[xxxx]

If you think national teams can't defend, trap or collapse the net on small ice, well I'm afraid I've got some bad news for you.

I'm sure they can. But from what I've seen in the tournaments on NHL ice, there are no boring games. In Vancouver olympics, all those games were exciting, even Germany-Belarus. It's more exciting hockey overall. Faster, more physical, and there is more action in it.

 

[Jussi]

The IOC uses NHL refs because the NHL insist NHL refs are used. That says absolutely nothing about their fairness or lack thereof.

Well IIHF vice secretary Kalervo Kummola wants NHL refs (and KHL) at the Worlds too.

 

[Jussi]

I'm sure they can. But from what I've seen in the tournaments on NHL ice, there are no boring games. In Vancouver olympics, all those games were exciting, even Germany-Belarus. It's more exciting hockey overall. Faster, more physical, and there is more action in it.

Considering the huge talent drop for us and the advanced tactical play, wait until we trap you to sleep.

 

[Macman]

yet, you make your case comparing a privately owned league (yes?) to an international federation. that's fundamentally wrong

I don't know why that would be fundamentally wrong. If the IIHF is anything like FIFA or the IOC, the idea that international federations are the paragon of fairness and fair play is laughable. The fact the IIHF discriminated against North American pros for decades suggests it has more in common with those other federations than not.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

Well IIHF vice secretary Kalervo Kummola wants NHL refs (and KHL) at the Worlds too.

That's very interesting. I hope that happens, hope they can come together. It's not the missed calls, it's too many calls.

 

[Jussi]

That's very interesting. I hope that happens, hope they can come together. It's not the missed calls, it's too many calls.

He's been vocal about the quality of reffing in the IIHF events this season (not surprisingly in Finland's games). One of the linesmen in the final was actually from NHL.

 

[Tomas W]

Hey I was just wondering : the KHL seasons starts in September.

IF a World Cup is held by the NHL, I assume it would be in September.

IF KHL teams don't let its players go - why should they??? - how would the World Cup qualify as a best on best even?

Russia, Finland and the Czech Republic would lose 5 to 8 players each.

Wouldn't surprise me if the KHL will let go with some players anyway, nationalism is strong in Russia.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

I personally wouldn't care so long as the best players turn up.

QFT

 

[Rekin]

Wouldn't surprise me if the KHL will let go with some players anyway, nationalism is strong in Russia.

They could also refuse to participate at all which would create a total farce even if the Russian NHL players would be contractually obliged to play. That might well be in their interests too.

 

[kp61c]

They could also refuse to participate at all which would create a total farce even if the Russian NHL players would be contractually obliged to play. That might well be in their interests too.

yes, canada now seems like a rabid dog when it comes to sanctions against russia (along with england). that may affect the decision-making process, but i doubt it.

 

[Jussi]

Wouldn't surprise me if the KHL will let go with some players anyway, nationalism is strong in Russia.

Greed is even stronger. They didn't start getting those players to show up for the national team for free.

 

[kp61c]

Greed is even stronger. They didn't start getting those players to show up for the national team for free.

for finns and swedes yes.
when we speak about timchenko, rotenber brothers, medvedev and others every offer from the nhl'll be chump change and money won't be a decisive factor

 

[TollefsenFan]

The world cup is a bad idea. The world cup will not be a best on best tournament, because NHL hosts it. A league shouldnt be allowed to host a world cup.

Only the Olympics are a true best on best.

 

[JackSlater]

The world cup is a bad idea. The world cup will not be a best on best tournament, because NHL hosts it. A league shouldnt be allowed to host a world cup.

Only the Olympics are a true best on best.

It's a best on best if the best players show up. The players determine that status, not the organizing body. Now if the NHL is the only league involved many countries will be without their best players, so it won't qualify.

 

[TollefsenFan]

It's a best on best if the best players show up. The players determine that status, not the organizing body. Now if the NHL is the only league involved many countries will be without their best players, so it won't qualify.

No not if the NHL host it.

 

[JackSlater]

No not if the NHL host it.

If the best players show up, it's a best on best. Even the IIHF has called Canada/World Cup hockey best on best hockey.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

No not if the NHL host it.

31 out of 200 players in a 25 man roster of the top 8 teams in the World come from the KHL. That's a meager 16%.

Hilarious how these KHL posters value their minor league so high, it's laughable to think the NHL should bend for 25-30 players that would make the teams in any of the 8 top countries. Do some teams need these players, sure but for the NHL to let the bank go to the KHL for these players? Hahaha, good luck.

The NHL has pretty much over 85% of the World's best players, so tell me, how is the World Cup is not an alternative to the Olympics. Should we be entertained by the mediocre talent of the World Championships yearly? Those depth KHL players who wouldn't make it in the AHL? Is that what we need to watch?

 

[The Bad Guy*]

No not if the NHL host it.

You can say it's not until you are blue in the face but if the best players in the world are playing against each other it is the best players in the world that are playing against each other and that is a best on best.

You can say that it should be organized by the IIHF or say you prefer it be organized by the IIHF but as long as the best players are playing then it is a best on best.

An organization does not make or not make a tournament a best on best, the players competing do.

You may not like it, but that is the way it is.

 

[Mr Kanadensisk]

I'm pretty sure the NHL would agree to give other players and their teams a percentage of the NHLPA's cut based on their numbers. In the last Olympics of the 150 players on (CAN, USA, SWE, RUS, FIN, CZE) 121 were NHLers, 22 KHLers (3 of who were backup goalies), and 7 from other leagues.

From the players cut I would just give 80% to the NHLPA, 15% to the KHL players and 5% to the rest. It would actually be a great deal for the players from Europe, a nice bonus for most relative to their regular salaries.

 

[Jussi]

I'm pretty sure the NHL would agree to give other players and their teams a percentage of the NHLPA's cut based on their numbers. In the last Olympics of the 150 players on (CAN, USA, SWE, RUS, FIN, CZE) 121 were NHLers, 22 KHLers (3 of who were backup goalies), and 7 from other leagues.

From the players cut I would just give 80% to the NHLPA, 15% to the KHL players and 5% to the rest. It would actually be a great deal for the players from Europe, a nice bonus for most relative to their regular salaries.

Someone is not thinking clearly here. NHL taking a cut from NHLPA's share AND NHLPA reducing their share? Two things that won't be happening EVER. NHLPA's share wouldn't go straight into the players pockets anyway but rather their retirement fund or whatever. This idea is just bat**** crazy. This is literally the craziest idea since Kadri + 1st for Crosby.

 

[masa2009]

What is surprising is those rumors that they are ready to have it go head to head with the Summer Olympics.
Doing that is almost an upfront admission that there is no real hope in other hockey nations for this tournament, and it's only to tap the Canadian market which, let's face it, is about the only one that truly values the World Cup's legacy.
Perhaps they have received an offer from a Canadian broadcasting partner who is interested in counter programming during the Olympics.

 

[BayStreetBully]

31 out of 200 players in a 25 man roster of the top 8 teams in the World come from the KHL. That's a meager 16%.

Hilarious how these KHL posters value their minor league so high, it's laughable to think the NHL should bend for 25-30 players that would make the teams in any of the 8 top countries. Do some teams need these players, sure but for the NHL to let the bank go to the KHL for these players? Hahaha, good luck.

The NHL has pretty much over 85% of the World's best players, so tell me, how is the World Cup is not an alternative to the Olympics. Should we be entertained by the mediocre talent of the World Championships yearly? Those depth KHL players who wouldn't make it in the AHL? Is that what we need to watch?

Russia, Finland and Czech Republic can't ice their best team using just NHLers. Let alone Slovakia or Switzerland. If the point of the World Cup is to be a best-on-best international tournament, then it's impossible using just NHLers. All you have is a tournament between 3 countries: Canada, USA and Sweden. And that, my friend, is what makes any NHL-only tournament a joke.

Therefore, the NHL can either cooperate with the KHL and other European leagues, or it can be a cowboy and host what is essentially a best-on-best 3-country tournament.

 

[Xokkeu]

What is surprising is those rumors that they are ready to have it go head to head with the Summer Olympics.
Doing that is almost an upfront admission that there is no real hope in other hockey nations for this tournament, and it's only to tap the Canadian market which, let's face it, is about the only one that truly values the World Cup's legacy.
Perhaps they have received an offer from a Canadian broadcasting partner who is interested in counter programming during the Olympics.

What rumors? The tournament is tentatively scheduled for September.

More worryingly for the NHL, is that it will go right up against the opening of the NFL. So for the two countries that might actually care, one is going to be busy.