No KHL break for World Cup, but will release NT players

[FiLe]

They do not also apply the same rules to all participants when they have NHL refs.

They've done that in the Olympics too, so I guess that gets a pass.

I have to agree with the ones who say how the KHL not agreeing to play ball would just about have completed this farce. It would have meant that there would have been not just two joke teams, but five teams that would have been neutered somewhat - and only one participant in the entire show - Sweden - that would have had a free rein to use pretty much who they want.

 

[Yabob]

I wish the KHL didn't release anyone. That would've automatically ruined Finland's and Russia's chances, turning this farce into a complete, not funny joke.

Don't worry. If there is anything we have learned it's that what the KHL says they will do and what the teams in the KHL actually do are to completely different things.

 

[Canuckistani]

Don't worry. If there is anything we have learned it's that what the KHL says they will do and what the teams in the KHL actually do are to completely different things.

It's hard to imagine what the incentive would be for KHL teams to release their best players (even if only for a few weeks) so that they can take part in the Mickey Mouse Cup. This is especially true for Slovaks and Swiss players who would have the honour of playing for the Leftovers.

 

[Yakushev72]

It is, direct translation of Tretyak's quote from the source: "Likely our league won't have to release more than 10 to 12 players anyway" (which was said in context that KHL definitely can survuve that without any break).

Hard to imagine that the KHL owners affected would agree to allowing franchise leading players to go missing for 3 weeks during the regular season to play in an exhibition tournament, even if it involves the so-called national team. The reason that the NHL is releasing players for this tournament (aside from the fact that it is an NHL tournament to begin with) is that it won't conflict with the regular season and the potential loss of valuable points in the standings!

 

[Jussi]

It's hard to imagine what the incentive would be for KHL teams to release their best players (even if only for a few weeks) so that they can take part in the Mickey Mouse Cup. This is especially true for Slovaks and Swiss players who would have the honour of playing for the Leftovers.

Hard to imagine that the KHL owners affected would agree to allowing franchise leading players to go missing for 3 weeks during the regular season to play in an exhibition tournament, even if it involves the so-called national team. The reason that the NHL is releasing players for this tournament (aside from the fact that it is an NHL tournament to begin with) is that it won't conflict with the regular season and the potential loss of valuable points in the standings!

We've already seen players suddenly declining to play at EHT events (especially at the Karjala Cup) when KHL didn't have a break, though they will have proper international breaks next season again. But there's definitely pressure from the clubs on players.

 

[MXD]

Why does the NHL tries to steal bragging rights from the IIHF for the most joke of a tournament ?!

 

[Kshahdoo]

There is some political brawling between Russian Hockey Federation and the KHL, so Tretiak is just a one side of the deal. And his oppinion doesn't mean a lot to what the league actually is going to do.

 

[MXD]

because these haters know their teams stand no chance. so they slam it.

the world cup if anything is the best way to get hockey relevant again.

For that, the tournament would have had to start on the right foot. Not the left testicle.

 

[garbageteam]

I understand but keep in mind that the U23 stars and European stars teams are supposed to be one-offs. They're talking about having qualifying games, like FIFA does, to round out the field as this tournament goes forward. I find the current format cheesy too but if it's a means to an end of a true World Cup, I'm willing to put up with it this time. The more international hockey, the better.

there's nothing promised. They can't be trusted to make the right decisions.

U23 and team "loser" europe should get no coverage at all. Shame on anyone even starting threads for those teams on this forum, or participating in them. And a bigger shame to anyone who agrees to join those teams or cheer for those teams. If they're going to bulldoze ahead with such obtuse decision making I hope these two teams make it to the finals - imagine the international outcry at how stupid such an idea was. Daly and Bettman will never live it down.

 

[alce*]

There is some political brawling between Russian Hockey Federation and the KHL, so Tretiak is just a one side of the deal. And his oppinion doesn't mean a lot to what the league actually is going to do.

Except it's completely not true. Fact is that KHL is legally bound to made their schedule with all the breaks for NT that FHR would want to. Tretyak signs KHL schedule every year before it's finalized. If FHR had wanted to break KHL season for CC it would be done without much complain. And that fact that KHL maybe wouldn't break for it could probable means that FHR itself isn't much interested in CC.

 

[Yabob]

It's not unusual that the teams in the KHL "encourage" their players to decline, even if the league and the federation says all players should be available.

 

[Yakushev72]

Except it's completely not true. Fact is that KHL is legally bound to made their schedule with all the breaks for NT that FHR would want to. Tretyak signs KHL schedule every year before it's finalized. If FHR had wanted to break KHL season for CC it would be done without much complain. And that fact that KHL maybe wouldn't break for it could probable means that FHR itself isn't much interested in CC.

This is the first that I've heard about Tretyak being the "real" boss of the KHL, and that he slaps billionaire oligarchs around if they don't dance to his tune! Pretty cool for a former goalie to have that much power!

 

[alce*]

This is the first that I've heard about Tretyak being the "real" boss of the KHL, and that he slaps billionaire oligarchs around if they don't dance to his tune! Pretty cool for a former goalie to have that much power!

It's always good to know something new. Is it secret for you that KHL was Putin idea? Or that Tretyak was candidature of Putin? Or that he basically forced Gazprom to move its HQ in Piter and take Zenith and SKA on balance? How about history with CSKA sponsors? Tretyak have all the leverage on KHL by the law and he has all the support from the president. It's more than enough. And those oligarch billionaires don't give a **** about KHL or hockey, they've sponsor it because they was told to do so.

 

[Shootmaster_44]

..... You do know this isn't the first World Cup...(1996 and 2004..not to mention the Canada Cups prior) And you do know the last one was insanely entertaining. You also know this has absolutely nothing to do with the Olympics in the slightest. Completely irrelevant.

It was? If I recall Canada walked all over everyone. The 1996 World Cup yes was insanely entertaining, but the 2004 edition was not unless you cheer for Canada, which thankfully I was.

I actually found the 2005 World Championships more exciting that season.

 

[Yakushev72]

It was? If I recall Canada walked all over everyone. The 1996 World Cup yes was insanely entertaining, but the 2004 edition was not unless you cheer for Canada, which thankfully I was.

I actually found the 2005 World Championships more exciting that season.

Canada always has enough good players to be a threat to win any tournament, but that factor is exacerbated and exaggerated when Canada enjoys the huge advantage of playing in front of its own frenzied crowds. The past WJC in Toronto is a prime example of how a berserk crowd can push a home team over the top. Most European crowds are stoic in comparison, and even American crowds don't come close to giving their teams that much energy. That doesn't mean that Canada automatically wins, but I think that it is pretty hard for European teams to get up for a tournament where the deck seems to be stacked against them.

 

[varsaku]

Maybe it was a subtle hint by Tretiak to KHL teams to not let go of their players for this tournament. I am really hoping most leagues won't release their players for this tournament. They have absolutely zero incentives to join it.

I find the World Championships more entertaining since you can see younger hockey nations growth and performance over the years.

 

[EbencoyE]

it is just like the world cup of soccer.

LOL

yes, just like the FIFA world cup - with it's invited teams that don't have to go through any kind of qualifications, with it's 8-12 year gap between tournaments because nobody cares about it, with it's U-23 and "rest of world" all-star teams, with it's cash grab for one single league that also decides the rules and employs the refs, with it's same exact host city every time the tournament is held (and in past iterations had teams travel across an ocean half way through the tournament or play all their games on the road while "some" teams played all their games at home)

exactly like the FIFA world cup

this tournament will be a mockery of the sport. even baseball's WBC is better

 

[EbencoyE]

Except it's completely not true. Fact is that KHL is legally bound to made their schedule with all the breaks for NT that FHR would want to. Tretyak signs KHL schedule every year before it's finalized. If FHR had wanted to break KHL season for CC it would be done without much complain. And that fact that KHL maybe wouldn't break for it could probable means that FHR itself isn't much interested in CC.

Didn't the KHL become independent of the FHR?

 

[Jussi]

Didn't the KHL become independent of the FHR?

Nope, they are bound by law to basically operate under the FHR. They can't make any major decisions without the federation's approval.