League News: NHL Talk - (News n' Scores n' Stuff) | 2024-25 Summer Edition

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I don't know about you all, but this tournament meant nothing to me, even had the US won.

Same. I loved the intensity, but I switched the TV off right after Canada's OT winner, went to bed, and really haven't been bugged by it at all. And I'm not sure winning would have felt much different.

If they want to expand a “4 Nations” type tournament they’ll have to group some nations/players together if they keep it NHL only.

Yeah, I'd do Canada, USA, Russia, and a Unified/Euro team. And for safety's sake, I would either coin-flip the matchups or make it a North America versus Eurasia thing and just play 3 total games -- two semis and a championship. If the hockey's going to be that lively and physical, they have to minimize the number of games and spread them out a bit more.

Side note: Matthew Tkachuk should not have played that game last night. He was clearly hurt and they said a groin injury I believe. Pretty difficult to try and skate with a groin issue. Can’t believe the Panthers let him even attempt to play.

Amen, though I also feel that way from a Team USA perspective. Woulda been an extremely popular player to leave out of the lineup, but them essentially playing with 10 forwards kneecapped them for two thirds of the game. If you're playing a hurt guy AND sheltering another in a f***ing all-star game, that says something really bad about the talent you feel your country has to offer. Not a good look for Guerin and the coaches.
 
I like the suggestion of 4 Nations group A and B run simultaneously. Same setup, but the winner of group B and last place finish in group A switch spots for next year. 8th spot might be based off of the best ranking in the previous world championships (I.e. Switzerland finishes 8th and Austria performs better at the world championships 3 months later, they draw in instead of Switzerland on the next 4 nations.

More meaningful games (I.e. for the last spots, most games would still be pretty even beforehand, all the best players get to participate, no days off scheduled for games but players still get the same amount of rest. And it would be based on meritocracy instead of popularity.
 
Group A: Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland
Group B: Russia, Czech, Slovakia, Switzerland
Competing for the next years 8th spot:
Germany, Latvia, Belarus, Austria, Estonia, Slovenia etc.
 
Yeah, I'd do Canada, USA, Russia, and a Unified/Euro team. And for safety's sake, I would either coin-flip the matchups or make it a North America versus Eurasia thing and just play 3 total games -- two semis and a championship. If the hockey's going to be that lively and physical, they have to minimize the number of games and spread them out a bit more.
They made that mistake in 2016. You won't get guys playing like they do when playing for their country.

We'll just have to accept that there isn't that much parity in hockey. 8 Teams is fine.
 
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I like the suggestion of 4 Nations group A and B run simultaneously. Same setup, but the winner of group B and last place finish in group A switch spots for next year. 8th spot might be based off of the best ranking in the previous world championships (I.e. Switzerland finishes 8th and Austria performs better at the world championships 3 months later, they draw in instead of Switzerland on the next 4 nations.

More meaningful games (I.e. for the last spots, most games would still be pretty even beforehand, all the best players get to participate, no days off scheduled for games but players still get the same amount of rest. And it would be based on meritocracy instead of popularity.
I think the problem is that the US and Canada drive all interest. A "Group B" doesn't get the same hype or coverage and thus probably not the same level of intensity. And what happens if/when one of the US or Canada gets relegated? No way the NHL will risk losing that golden goose.

8 Teams is perfect:
USA, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Russia (assuming the political situation is resolved), Czechia get guaranteed spots. Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Latvia, etc. can get the last two based off of IIHF rankings or previous World Championship finish or whatever the NHL sets up to make sure the two best of those at any time get in. Yea you're probably going to get some blowouts but I think it would be less than you expect.
 
All those countries can field a full roster of NHL players and reserves? If not, it’s not happening.

They made that mistake in 2016. You won't get guys playing like they do when playing for their country.

We'll just have to accept that there isn't that much parity in hockey. 8 Teams is fine.
10000% a World roster is a trash idea. It immediately nullifies the intrigue.
 
I think the problem is that the US and Canada drive all interest. A "Group B" doesn't get the same hype or coverage and thus probably not the same level of intensity. And what happens if/when one of the US or Canada gets relegated? No way the NHL will risk losing that golden goose.

8 Teams is perfect:
USA, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Russia (assuming the political situation is resolved), Czechia get guaranteed spots. Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Latvia, etc. can get the last two based off of IIHF rankings or previous World Championship finish or whatever the NHL sets up to make sure the two best of those at any time get in. Yea you're probably going to get some blowouts but I think it would be less than you expect.
Stateside, yes they do!
But there are other countries watching hockey you know… All euro countries rarely ever get to see their national teams loaded with their best players as well. That would bring a bigger and broader audience, sell more tickets and a chance to build even more interest for the league outside of the 51 states (sorry, bad joke). All inter-euro games can have the early start to better align with “our” timezones.

And if you think USA or Canada would be bad enough to finish 4th (which I seriously doubt), they probably at worst play one year in group B and then be back up the next year.
 

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