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Kings @ World Championships in Czech Rep (?)

Faterson

Faterson

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Sep 18, 2012
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Yes, American Kings fans want the players to rest. But European Kings fans definitely wish to see them play in the World Championships, starting on May 1st in Ostrava and Prague, Czech Rep. Due to the Kings' play-off success in recent years, seeing Kings players at the Worlds has been rare lately. I really think playing in that tourney for 2 more weeks this season wouldn't kill anyone. It's 10 games max.

Slovakia, Slovenia and the US all play in the same group in Ostrava, so that would mean some potential Gáborík vs. Kopitar vs. Quick/Brown matchups. Canada plays in the Prague group against the Czechs and Swedes among others.

Even if North American players like Doughty, Carter, Quick and Brown opt to stay at home, I really think no one should fault Gáborík or Kopitar if they wish to play for their national teams. For hockey fans (especially casual ones) around Europe, the World Championships are a more important annual hockey event than the Stanley Cup play-offs. European NHL players realize that very well. The loss of Sekera is already a tough pill to swallow for Slovakia's fans, and if Gáborík doesn't play, this would surely upset many Slovak hockey fans (many of whom became Kings fans due to Gáborík joining the Kings).
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I really like the World Championships and hope some Kings go so I can still root for them while the playoffs are going on.
 
I would be shocked if any of the North American guys went, except maybe Quick, because he hasn't before.

Frankly, I don't think Kopi or Gaborik should either, but given that it will be over by mid-may it will still allow them to get adequate rest and get back to work before august, or at least that's how it seemed.
 
If Slovenia is playing I wouldn't mind Kopi going. I know it means a lot to him if they're in the tournament.
 
As a USAH guy I'd love if Quick played but he won't and I don't blame him. He's played a ton of hockey the last few years and will have a short summer next year due to the World Cup. Brown wouldn't even help Team USA so both sides are better off if he stays home. I'd like to see Martinez play though.
 
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I predict that besides the obvious stars for the various national teams, Muzzin and Toffoli will be invited by team Canada.
 
Players' choice, imo. I know I'd like to see them rest but national pride is huge for players, particularly the European contingent.
 
I would like to see as many of them as possible. I would probably follow the tournament to see them play under a different system. Also see if they have chemistry with other players that maybe available. Players i would like to see is Toffoli Quick muzzin martinez lewis I would like to see our second tier types play in a less defensive system.
 
While normally I'd be hoping everyone who is asked would go, if the real reason this team went from cup winners to also ran is because they are exhausted from three straight long playoff runs and need rest, the last thing they should be doing is playing more hockey.
 
kingsfan said:
While normally I'd be hoping everyone who is asked would go, if the real reason this team went from cup winners to also ran is because they are exhausted from three straight long playoff runs and need rest, the last thing they should be doing is playing more hockey.
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It may not be the main reason, but it was certainly a contributing factor, and even if some do participate, the tournament will end about a month prior to when last season ended, so they will still get a lot more rest and have more time to prepare for next season.
 
KopitarFAN said:
It may not be the main reason, but it was certainly a contributing factor, and even if some do participate, the tournament will end about a month prior to when last season ended, so they will still get a lot more rest and have more time to prepare for next season.
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There are also 3 free weeks now before the tourney even starts. None of the nominated NHL players need to play in any pre-tournament preparation games, although I'm sure many will prefer to, so they can better gel with the team.

You guys would no doubt hate the idea, but to see Doughty as captain of Team Canada would be interesting. (Unless it's someone like Bergeron.) Jack Johnson, back when he was a King, used to be a force as captain of the US team at the Worlds. The team was often crap, but Johnson used to be impressive. Doughty would surely impress at least as much as team captain.
 
Kopi will go for sure, probably Gabby too... Preventing them from going would not go over well unless they have an injury that is in need of rehab or something like that. Hopefully Toffoli and one of our more rested d-men get invites, would be fun to watch them in a different system.
 
BigBrown said:
Kopi will go for sure, probably Gabby too... Preventing them from going would not go over well unless they have an injury that is in need of rehab or something like that. Hopefully Toffoli and one of our more rested d-men get invites, would be fun to watch them in a different system.
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That different system would be of interest to me as well.
 
taz346 said:
That different system would be of interest to me as well.
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Well, the first Canadian invitations have reportedly been sent to Mike Smith, Ekblad, Hall, Nugent-Hopkins, Eberle, Giroux, Seguin, Spezza and Duchene. (Art Ross winner Jamie Benn curiously not mentioned so far.) It would be interesting to see the likes of Muzzin and Toffoli join what amounts to an all-star team.
 
Nothing new really, but Drew Doughty was interviewed by the Finnish media: http://www.mtv.fi/sport/jaakiekko/n...ekstia-mm-kisoista-aion-ottaa-vapaata/4988434
- It's individualized when each has to return to the gym. I will take time off and vacation: have fun and wind down.

- I think we're all going to do so. I won't even think about hockey until I return to Los Angeles, which would be someday in September.

In other words, Doughty, perhaps the best defenseman in the NHL will not be seen representing his native Canada in the World Championship tournament starting on May Day.

When asked about the possibility of being called up for the tournament, Doughty seemed like he couldn't believe his ears.

- I'm not sure... no one has contacted me yet, he said, clearly uneasy.

- The decision has to be made at some point. If I'll be asked, I don't really know. We'll see.

You could sense of the Canadian's body language that the thought of WHC hockey hasn't even crossed his mind.

Mister Doughty, how much do you respect the World Championship as a tournament?

- I wouldn't say that it's even nearly as prestigious as Stanley Cup or the Olympics. That's for sure, said the two-time Stanley Cup and Olympic champion without doubting for a moment.

- Of course, it's an honor to represent your country and perhaps win the world championship but it's not even comparable to the Stanley Cup or the Olympics.

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Safe to say Dewey is not going.
 
KopitarFAN said:
Nothing new really, but Drew Doughty was interviewed by the Finnish media: http://www.mtv.fi/sport/jaakiekko/n...ekstia-mm-kisoista-aion-ottaa-vapaata/4988434
- It's individualized when each has to return to the gym. I will take time off and vacation: have fun and wind down.

- I think we're all going to do so. I won't even think about hockey until I return to Los Angeles, which would be someday in September.

In other words, Doughty, perhaps the best defenseman in the NHL will not be seen representing his native Canada in the World Championship tournament starting on May Day.

When asked about the possibility of being called up for the tournament, Doughty seemed like he couldn't believe his ears.

- I'm not sure... no one has contacted me yet, he said, clearly uneasy.

- The decision has to be made at some point. If I'll be asked, I don't really know. We'll see.

You could sense of the Canadian's body language that the thought of WHC hockey hasn't even crossed his mind.

Mister Doughty, how much do you respect the World Championship as a tournament?

- I wouldn't say that it's even nearly as prestigious as Stanley Cup or the Olympics. That's for sure, said the two-time Stanley Cup and Olympic champion without doubting for a moment.

- Of course, it's an honor to represent your country and perhaps win the world championship but it's not even comparable to the Stanley Cup or the Olympics.

-----------------

Safe to say Dewey is not going.
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I think it's more waiting to be called to arms.
 
KopitarFAN said:
Mister Doughty, how much do you respect the World Championship as a tournament?

- I wouldn't say that it's even nearly as prestigious as Stanley Cup or the Olympics.
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That's only true for Canadian and US players, because the NHL has essentially been boycotting the World Championships for decades. In response, IIHF has been pushing the beginning of the tournament to a later and later date over the years. It used to be that the WCs final game was played around May Day, but now the tourney only starts on May Day. This means any teams losing their first-round NHL play-off matchups would be able to release players for the Worlds. Only 8 NHL teams would be unable to release players for the Worlds.

For European hockey fans, the prestige of the Worlds is very high, though not as high as the Olympics, of course. And for casual European hockey fans, the Worlds mean a lot more than the Stanley Cup.
 
Not happy with Kopitar going to the Worlds. He needs to rest. The team that is paying him to perform should take precedence over national pride.
 
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