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Reason for Team North America?

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yourbestfriend said:
[MOD]. Who the hell cares if it's a cash grab? Who cares if it's a gimmick? We're still watching hockey at the highest level.
The bottom line is, as hockey fans we're getting the privilege to watch a super talented NA team. When else are we going to see Eichel, McDavid, Gaudreau, Mak and Matthews on the same team? Never.
Seriously, some of you guys need to [MOD] just enjoy the games.

On a side note, NA vs Russia tonight is going to be insane
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All star game should sweet this year!
 
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Nac Mac Feegle said:
Probably just wishful thinking on my part.....but maybe it was to showcase the 'new' NHL? A way to re-brand the NHL as more focused on skills, speed and enthusiasm? A changing of the guard and the beginning of the purge of old school hockey thinking?
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That's what I was thinking. They wanted to showcase the next generation of NHL stars. Seems to be working as designed even if it's a gimmick and negatively affected USA Hockey.
 
Xokkeu said:
It's posted in the thread a hundred times why Team North America was created, but people just make up their own reasons. It's been posted I don't know how many times that they wanted at least Eichel. I don't know. :huh:
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We know that USA literally asked for Eichel, so that is the baseline. Lombardi talked about asking for at least one or two guys, and that is before the rosters needed to be finalized. Mike Babcock of all people thinks that "other people" would be on team Canada without the Young Gunz team.
 
Lacaar said:
yet it will draw 1000000000000000000000 more viewers.

Some day you'll unederstand... someday.
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What?? No, Canada vs. a real opponent will draw viewers for the right reason - real competition between real teams with a real rivalry. One day you might understand bout i Dought(y) it.
 
rojac said:
Association is another part of it. I don't associate NHL players with countries, I associate them with teams. so, I don't think of Crosby, Ovechkin, and Matthews as a Canadian, a Russian, and an American. I think of them as a Penguin, a Capital, and a Maple Leaf.
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So when they get traded or resign, you will think of them as Blue Jacket, Oiler, and Lightning bolt (or whatever the hell they are). Does this make any sense? A player is who he is. Who cares which team drafted him, traded for him, or resigned him? All this changes in a flash. But one's country cannot be changed (with some exceptions). This is where TRUE allegiances lie.
 
yourbestfriend said:
There are a lot of whiners on this board. Who the hell cares if it's a cash grab? Who cares if it's a gimmick? We're still watching hockey at the highest level.
The bottom line is, as hockey fans we're getting the privilege to watch a super talented NA team. When else are we going to see Eichel, McDavid, Gaudreau, Mak and Matthews on the same team? Never.
Seriously, some of you guys need to s.tfu and just enjoy the games.

On a side note, NA vs Russia tonight is going to be insane
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You may have a point, but it's also an easy point to make when your team is the best one in the tournament and there's literally nothing for you to be upset about. Your team wasn't hurt by how the tournament was organized, didn't leave off talent for grit, isn't coached by Tortorella, wasn't just shut out by the misfit team and so on.

BTW, who's to say that they're not enjoying the games? You can enjoy them and complain. I bet that you've complained about things in the NHL, yet you continue to enjoy watching.
 
I'm actually getting kind of amused by those fake teams being a part of the group stages. Once we reach the finals though... Let's just hope they're not a part of it. We don't want that kind of farse to polute the history books...
 
Ben White said:
I'm actually getting kind of amused by those fake teams being a part of the group stages. Once we reach the finals though... Let's just hope they're not a part of it. We don't want that kind of farse to polute the history books...
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The worst thing is....
An Europe - U23NA Semi-Final is very distinct possibility at this point.
 
Osprey said:
I've been thinking this over for the last 24 hours and, especially, during the game tonight. Why did they create Team North America? What were they trying to accomplish or avoid?
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Wow... All those hours spent thinking and writing this huge post, when I could've explained it to you in two words: Connor McDavid.
 
Xokkeu said:
Simple reason, they wanted as much money to stay in house as possible. They didn't want team Slovakia and Switzerland because they'd have to share a lot of money with non NHL players, as those two countries would only be about half or less in NHL players. Then it's hard to make a team Europe without one of those countries. So in the end having a team North America and Team Europe ensures that all but a few stragglers on Team Russia and Team Czech are NHLers.
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This 100%. No other reason. More NHL players the better and the NHLPA was fine with this. The traitors in this charade are Bettman and the owners (milking as much money as possible) and Fehr and the players. Yes, the players. Imagine Crosby stepping up a year ago and announcing he wouldn't be playing under that type of format because it de-legitimizes the tournament and NHLers don't want to waste their summer for just a pond hockey tournament no one will take seriously.

Imagine that, the best player in the NHL actually sticking up for the good of the game and the fans. It didn't happen though.
 
I think Team NA should be built off of players under 24 that Canada and USA do not select for their Teams.

That way, Team USA can't say they lose this tournament because the Team NA stole their stars.
 
Osprey said:
I've been thinking this over for the last 24 hours and, especially, during the game tonight. Why did they create Team North America? What were they trying to accomplish or avoid?
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They wanted to sell more jerseys. :laugh::laugh: That's what's behind that. Also, higher ratings and more ad money, because people (in North America) would rather watch these guys some of whom are already super good than just one Draisaitl and no-name Germans or Swiss...
 
djdub said:
I think Team NA should be built off of players under 24 that Canada and USA do not select for their Teams.

That way, Team USA can't say they lose this tournament because the Team NA stole their stars.
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Then who does team NA get to have as stars for fans to cheer for? How can they be competitive?

Team USA still had over a decade's worth of NHL talent to choose from. The bottom line is that they just aren't as good or deep in talent.

They aren't as competitive as they think they are.

[MOD]
 
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Karjala takaisin said:
It's the death of international tournament if we see team North America and Team Europe in the World Cup final.
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Don't be too dramatic, it's not Leonidas last stand vs Persians or Hitler winning WW2. It's just one tournament which next time might happen again only after another 8 years or so. I doubt IIHF or Olympics would want to see Team Europe or Team Africa playing in their respective tournaments. But I am in no way against these teams here, be it Team Sauerkraut or U24 'Muricanadians, they are entertaining to watch
 
TLeafsFan said:
Its the death of international tournament if 2 truly international teams are in the final?
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Two non-national teams in the final of a supposedly international tournament. Though since your posts indicate that you don't care about what terms mean, you probably consider the old North America vs Europe NHL all star games to be international hockey as well.
 
JackSlater said:
Two non-national teams in the final of a supposedly international tournament. Though since your posts indicate that you don't care about what terms mean, you probably consider the old North America vs Europe NHL all star games to be international hockey as well.
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I remember enjoying that format. I wonder if it is just nostalgia though...
 
Claypool said:
There are plenty of IIHF-sanctioned tournaments where you get your traditional format of teams. Go watch those. I'm glad the NHL tried something different. The league needs to be more proactive and receptive to change. The dinosaur mentality hurts the league long-term.
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Yeah man. Screw the World Cup in Soccer. Stupid tournament. We need an U23 team and a team compressed of one player from every country not in the tournament. ;)
 
JackSlater said:
Two non-national teams in the final of a supposedly international tournament. Though since your posts indicate that you don't care about what terms mean, you probably consider the old North America vs Europe NHL all star games to be international hockey as well.
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Two INTER-national teams. They represent MULTIPLE nations. They are more international than national teams are.

Okay, so intercontinental if you want to get TECHNICAL. I'd imagine that final would also get more viewers globally than just two national teams competing.
 
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