Some details about the World Cup...

[jekoh]

Out of the qualifiers - who would knock the US out ?

Korea ?

Out of the eight automatic qualifiers.

Switzerland or Slovakia or Germany or Belarus would be the ones possibly knocking them out.

 

[Jablkon]

If you can't have ROW then make it 2 Asian teams but in future it should be a global thing and look to grow the game elsewhere. Maybe have a qualification tournament with the ROW teams and the winners goes to the Asian qualification pool to get into the WC. So say Australia win the ROW qualification tournament. They would then play against Japan, South Korea, China etc with the top two qualifying.

That wouldn't hurt.

That would hurt. When you did not get to A group for WHC why you should go to World cup?

 

[TollefsenFan]

That would hurt. When you did not get to A group for WHC why you should go to World cup?

Because the sport of hockey got a huge potensial in east asia. Just make room for one asian team. Like 14 teams total. IIHF can organize asia cup. The winner of asia cup qualifies for the world cup.

Why is the fifa world cup such a great event? The best tournament is the uefa euro With the best European teams. Sweden, Serbia, Denmark, Ukraine, Turkey etc are better than most of the non-European teams in the fifa world cup. Still I would argue that the world cup is the best tournament because of all the different nations, fans and unknown players. Its just different.

 

[Macman]

By the 1970's, the financial distinction between amateurs and professionals was practically non-existent in Olympic hockey. The Soviets were called professionals, but they never made more than 5,000 US - maybe a few bonuses for major tournament wins. Bottom line, they made only enough to pay living expenses, although they did have access to apartments that were reserved for the Soviet elite.

At the same time, let's take Lake Placid as an example, the US and Canadian Olympic teams lived in team quarters, were fed meals by the team, and had all of their living expenses paid for. I'll bet it cost more than 5,000 US to pay for Canadian and American hockey players in 1980. They all played together throughout the year, which is why the American team had such an amazing performance. The pro/amateur argument is completely bogus!

Please tell me you're not claiming there was a level playing field in Olympic hockey then.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

They should change the Olympic format and make it like the World Cup format.

Let's have teams from each continent, and perhaps 18-20 teams in the tournament. We'll let the top 4 countries in the World have a bye, so Canada, Sweden, Finland, USA all automatically qualify to the quarters then let the other nations have a chance to test their skills against each other. This way the game has potential to grow, and Russia might actually win some games at a best on best scenario for once .

Let's grow the game everyone, perhaps this format might also get Canada so bored they might actually not win an Olympics for once.

(Post on right track with all the posters who want Asian teams competing in best on best competition.)

 

[Jussi]

Either you totally missed what he said or just avoided the answer and the faceplam didn't save you.

It seems you missed what I was saying completely. We've had lengthy "educational talks" with several NA posters about whom craved amateurs back into Olympics about what that term actually meant in the Olympics originally, a couple of decades ago and what it means now. Incredibly some still didn't get it.

 

[Xokkeu]

Lebrun reporting that the World Cup for 2016 is a done deal, but the announcement is being delayed a bit because the NHL and NHLPA would like to announce more than just a one off tournament. They'd like to have some level of continuity for the tournament, ie announce a four year cycle and future tournaments etc.

As was reported it will be in Toronto, in September of 2016. It will consist of 8 teams, with automatic qualifying for the big 6 of Canada, USA, Russia, Finland, Sweden and the Czechs. How they figure out the final two spots is still open.

Apparently the Sochi Olympics were absolutely fantastic from the player perspective and in some ways Korea might suffer from it, because they might not be able to match what was presented in Russia.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

Apparently the Sochi Olympics were absolutely fantastic from the player perspective and in some ways Korea might suffer from it, because they might not be able to match what was presented in Russia.

So... No Korea?

 

[Xokkeu]

So... No Korea?

There's no announcement on Korea, simply that Sochi set a high standard.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

There's no announcement on Korea, simply that Sochi set a high standard.

Sounds like they are setting us up for a "no". That's unfortunate. I would prefer the Olympics to a W.C.

All of the games will be in Toronto? Yikes. That's a lot of hockey.

U.S. will want to make up for Sochi and, on the small ice, just put Canada and the U.S. in the GMG.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

"The additional two teams and the manner in which they will be selected hasn’t been nailed down yet. It might be a pure invitational situation where two countries are handed entries, or there could be a play-in tournament for those last two spots. My vote is for the latter, although without question that comes with more logistical challenges. My guess is the play-in part would be overseas for obvious reasons."

So 4 teams, just on the outside of the IIHF rankings, play to get in ?

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

"The additional two teams and the manner in which they will be selected hasn’t been nailed down yet. It might be a pure invitational situation where two countries are handed entries, or there could be a play-in tournament for those last two spots. My vote is for the latter, although without question that comes with more logistical challenges. My guess is the play-in part would be overseas for obvious reasons."

So 4 teams, just on the outside of the IIHF rankings, play to get in ?

I thought 2... Slovakia and Germany?

 

[SanDogBrewin]

4 team enter, 2 team leave. Belarus is better than there ranking so the "play in tournament" might have more than 4 teams to get in.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

4 team enter, 2 team leave.

Fair enough.

 

[Xokkeu]

Sounds like they are setting us up for a "no". That's unfortunate. I would prefer the Olympics to a W.C.

All of the games will be in Toronto? Yikes. That's a lot of hockey.

U.S. will want to make up for Sochi and, on the small ice, just put Canada and the U.S. in the GMG.

I think the Olympics are going to be a long process. Unlike the World Cup there are major negotiations to be had between three pretty greedy organizations. The easiest is the IOC/NHLPA. If the IOC is able to provide the same infrastructure, organization and logistics in Korea as they did in Russia, the NHLPA will be on board. As of now, I'm not sure about that since the hockey stadium is going to be a 10,000 seat temporary facility and a 6000 seat University skating rink. I'm also not sure Korea is going to throw money at the Olympics like Russia did. So the question is what kind of accomodation, practice facilities, etc are going to be made available for the players?

Then of course the NHL and IOC are going to battle it out over money issues. I don't even see this as likely to be resolved until shortly before the tournament.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

I think the Olympics are going to be a long process. Unlike the World Cup there are major negotiations to be had between three pretty greedy organizations. The easiest is the IOC/NHLPA. If the IOC is able to provide the same infrastructure, organization and logistics in Korea as they did in Russia, the NHLPA will be on board. As of now, I'm not sure about that since the hockey stadium is going to be a 10,000 seat temporary facility and a 6000 seat University skating rink. I'm also not sure Korea is going to throw money at the Olympics like Russia did. So the question is what kind of accomodation, practice facilities, etc are going to be made available for the players?

Then of course the NHL and IOC are going to battle it out over money issues. I don't even see this as likely to be resolved until shortly before the tournament.

Considering first, there will be an even more proximal location between village and venue's, and I do not think standards will be of the issue at any Olympics if you mean locker rooms and such (These are the Olympic Games in a market of technological heaven). The only issue large issue from the outsider's perspective is the capacity of the stadium. The design looks flawless for the arena and obviously the 10,000 seat venue is not going to be of NHL standard in terms of capacity but in terms of locker rooms and distances between venues and infrastructure and family accessibility I do not think there will be much of an issue or worry like Russia was. Adding to the fact that South Korean's pledge for an Olympics based on atmosphere, it will be vastly superior in these games then the Sochi Olympics were, where arena's were more quiet then a public library with barely any Europeans showing up and not as many Canadians as most would expect for a Winter games. South Koreans have been preparing for these Olympics for over 10 years (it's been 3 bids now), they will heavily investing in creating a festival atmosphere which is their priority whereas Russia's goal was to set a large show to the World, which they did fabulously and which will never be repeated again, because there is not one country that is going spend money as such for decades. That was a magical setting in Sochi , but that was a first, and that was a last. So the NHL should wisen up and know this. But as I speak and read about the 2022 games that will be most likely awarded to China it seems they will have venues in excess of 18,000 spectators, ohhh boy, what a chance to grow the game in China come 2022!!! The NHL will definitely look into that also, so the fact that China is going to most likely win the bid might have a minor role in it also. How can you say no with a Golden opportunity to grow the game in the Chinese market, it's a chance of a lifetime. Ahhh but like you said, all the side monetary problems and rights, and what not, at the end of the day, we will only know come August 2017, which is a shame!

 

[Canuckistani]

I wonder if the NHL has secured the KHL's participation for 2016. The tournament would seriously suffer if they haven't.

As was reported it will be in Toronto, in September of 2016.

It's a shame they've changed the format. In 1996 and 2004 there were games in Canada, USA, Finland, Sweden, Germany and Czech Rep.

Seeing games played all over the place, with 6 of 8 teams getting at least one home game, is what made the event so unique. There won't be the same buzz with all the games in TO, nor I suspect will there be many travelling fans from abroad.

How they figure out the final two spots is still open.

Slovakia and Switzerland would seem the obvious choices.

 

[Xokkeu]

I wonder if the NHL has secured the KHL's participation for 2016. The tournament would seriously suffer if they haven't.



It's a shame they've changed the format. In 1996 and 2004 there were games in Canada, USA, Finland, Sweden, Germany and Czech Rep.

Seeing games played all over the place, with 6 of 8 teams getting at least one home game, is what made the event so unique. There won't be the same buzz with all the games in TO, nor I suspect will there be many travelling fans from abroad.



Slovakia and Switzerland would seem the obvious choices.

This is sort an ignored factor whenever North Americans talk about the World Cup. They just always assume Russia will go along with whatever the nhl wants.

 

[Jakk123]

Well, if it consists of Top6 + 2 qualifiers, I guess we are screwed again No way there will be best available rosters in that qualificiaton. And we always like to fu*k things up

 

[JackSlater]

This is sort an ignored factor whenever North Americans talk about the World Cup. They just always assume Russia will go along with whatever the nhl wants.

The NHL needs the KHL on board if the tournament is to be worthwhile.

 

[Xokkeu]

The NHL needs the KHL on board if the tournament is to be worthwhile.

....which is exactly why you'd think it'd be addressed whenever someone writes about it. Just like I said.

 

[Uncle Rotter]

Well, if it consists of Top6 + 2 qualifiers, I guess we are screwed again No way there will be best available rosters in that qualificiaton. And we always like to fu*k things up

How about holding it 12 months prior to the World Cup?

 

[YMCMBYOLO]

Really hope it's more than 8 teams, I felt the Olympics really helped developing hockey countries get more 'into' hockey, like Slovenia. I bet after Slovenia beat Austria, that it got more players playing/tons of press. We need that in all hockey tournaments.

Of course, I have no actual data to support my stance, just what I feel.

Having 10/12 countries would be a good number imo.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Problem with this tournament is that there is no meaning and history to it. If Hockey wishes to create a Football style World Cup, 8 teams are not enough. A tournament is valued only if everyone participating cares, no one apart from Canadians will watch this tournament, and no fans from Europe will fly over to come watch. Another aspect that's important is too have fans of the World come fly in to support their nation no matter where it is. I hope this is a long term goal, because it will most likely take probably upwards of 10 years (2-3 versions) for this tournament to mean anything to the World and then again, I don't think it will suddenly until it's held around Europe and different countries.
They should not have started this tournament in Canada to begin with if they're serious about anything. But like most professional leagues only $ matters so it's a good quick cash grab on their part.

Until then, I hope the National Hockey League does not damage the only true International Hockey tournament that matters and exists, and continues their participation.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

Problem with this tournament is that there is no meaning and history to it. If Hockey wishes to create a Football style World Cup, 8 teams are not enough. A tournament is valued only if everyone participating cares, no one apart from Canadians will watch this tournament, and no fans from Europe will fly over to come watch. Another aspect that's important is too have fans of the World come fly in to support their nation no matter where it is. I hope this is a long term goal, because it will most likely take probably upwards of 10 years (2-3 versions) for this tournament to mean anything to the World and then again, I don't think it will suddenly until it's held around Europe and different countries.
They should not have started this tournament in Canada to begin with if they're serious about anything. But like most professional leagues only $ matters so it's a good quick cash grab on their part.

Until then, I hope the National Hockey League does not damage the only true International Hockey tournament that matters and exists, and continues their participation.

I agree but, if you have too many teams, you get a painfully long and boring tournament like the World Championships. Best to stick with the Olympics.