Some details about the World Cup...

[Slimmy]

What they do with the money is fine, and no fans are actually hoping for the NHL to make a profit. The point is that the organizing body for the tournament itself is pretty much irrelevant. If your concern is that the money won't go to various development targets, which is your prerogative, then this tournament still isn't an obstacle because it doesn't detract from the IIHF at all.

You should at least pay attention to what they say because unlike you, they aren't just making baseless assumptions and whining. They are reporting at least some of the realities of these negotiations. Whether or not using the Olympics as a negotiation piece is distasteful has nothing to do with the World Cup itself. It reflects on the NHL, not the tournament. I (and pretty much everyone else) agree that the NHL can easily afford to give fans and players something so simple as Olympic participation.

It does reflect badly on the tournament as it's run by the NHL. Peoples disposition toward the tournament
could absolutely be outright hostile depending on how NHL handles itself in this matter.
And what you see as whining and baseless assumptions is what I see as healthy scepticism. If hockey fans are more inclined to view the NHL with less naiveté and instead as a business first and foremost I suspect the NHL in turn is more inclined to tread lightly. But then again, I'm not a market liberal.

 

[JackSlater]

It does reflect badly on the tournament as it's run by the NHL. Peoples disposition toward the tournament
could absolutely be outright hostile depending on how NHL handles itself in this matter.

What difference does it make if some people have a hostile disposition to the tournament? The tournament is the tournament.

And what you see as whining and baseless assumptions is what I see as healthy scepticism. If hockey fans are more inclined to view the NHL with less naiveté and instead as a business first and foremost I suspect the NHL in turn is more inclined to tread lightly. But then again, I'm not a market liberal.

They are completely baseless assumptions, based on history and pretty much all reports that are coming out right now. I explained why going to the Olympics might be in the NHL's best business interest (negotiation piece with the NHLPA). I think it's quite clear that in the NHL's ideal scenario the World Cup would be played in place of the Olympics. The NHL does have to deal with others though(other leagues if they want full World Cup participation, an NHLPA inclined to play in the Olympics) so it's unlikely they are going to get everything they want here. It comes across as whining unless there is actually some substance behind the complaints.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

Already confirmed it would only be exhibition an exhibition game. All the tournament games will be played in Toronto and Montreal.

Ok when Finland, Sweden or Russia host a World Cup i'll complain then. Meanwhile I will still wake up early for the WHC games every spring and not complain about NA teams having to travel.

 

[Jussi]

Can't really comment on the conditioning level of players in 2004 as I didn't watch a single game, but in this day an age, every serious elite level NHL NT player (discounting injury) is in game shape and ready to go mid September.

KHL players open training camp in mid July, so if the KHL is in, their conditioning level shouldn't be a problem.

I've mentioned this already but you might end up seeing more KHL player declining international tournaments, especially if they extend the season to 66 games. Wel already had players declining the Worlds due to exhaustion. I mean the off-season for KHL players taking part in international tournaments could be under two months.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

It must suck having to open training camp in July, you have no summer to enjoy. Do they not trust players are able to work out themselves, it's the year 2014 for sheesh sakes lol.

 

[Exarz]

It must suck having to open training camp in July, you have no summer to enjoy. Do they not trust players are able to work out themselves, it's the year 2014 for sheesh sakes lol.

I've heard that a lot of Canadians and Americans going to Europe were not in such a good shape when they arrived, so I understand them

 

[kp61c]

Ok when Finland, Sweden or Russia host a World Cup i'll complain then. Meanwhile I will still wake up early for the WHC games every spring and not complain about NA teams having to travel.

why'd you, in the middle of the nhl playoffs, wake up to see some crappy na teams participating in a tournament the only function of which for the na audience is to be a nice shiny target take a dump on?

 

[SanDogBrewin]

why'd you, in the middle of the nhl playoffs, wake up to see some crappy na teams participating in a tournament the only function of which for the na audience is to be a nice shiny target take a dump on?

Because I love hockey, especially when my country is playing. Plus wanted to see how Seth Jones, Johnny Gaudreau, Jakob Trouba and Hayes brothers were progressing.

 

[Urbanskog]

Ok when Finland, Sweden or Russia host a World Cup i'll complain then. Meanwhile I will still wake up early for the WHC games every spring and not complain about NA teams having to travel.

It's not really comparable since USA's and Canada's hockey federations are free to bid for a WHC.

They just never do so.

 

[The Bad Guy*]

It's not really comparable since USA's and Canada's hockey federations are free to bid for a WHC.

They just never do so.

Sure it is comparable. The complaint is traveling puts European teams at a disadvantage in the Canada/World Cups,but Canada and the U.S are always traveling overseas every year to the WHC and that is not seen as a problem by European posters regarding the N.A teams.

Doesn't matter if they can bid on it or not, the thing that matters is whether the one day of travel puts you at such a competitive disadvantage that your chances of winning a tournament are greatly reduced.

The bidding is not the issue, the traveling is,or at least that is what European posters here have historically complained about when talking about it always being held in N.A.

Now if they want to say the complaint is strictly about being able to host then you've got a point.

 

[Jonimaus]

Does it really matter? In the eyes of Europeans the world cup will have equal to or less prestige than the WHC, and noone really cares about that. "Great we won!" "Oh we lost? Meh". It'll be the same with the world cup, so it's not really different. For the forseeable future it will be all about the olympic hockey anyways, and if that is removed, well good bye international hockey.

As long as the world cup is a bonus tournament, I'm all for it. Getting to watch some more NHL players will be fun. Might even be good for the olympic hockey since the players will get slightly more used to playing with eachother.

 

[The Bad Guy*]

Does it really matter? In the eyes of Europeans the world cup will have equal to or less prestige than the WHC, and noone really cares about that. "Great we won!" "Oh we lost? Meh". It'll be the same with the world cup, so it's not really different. For the forseeable future it will be all about the olympic hockey anyways, and if that is removed, well good bye international hockey.

As long as the world cup is a bonus tournament, I'm all for it. Getting to watch some more NHL players will be fun. Might even be good for the olympic hockey since the players will get slightly more used to playing with eachother.

My guess?

In the eyes of North Americans (not really a guess here more like a reality) the World Cup will have more prestige then the WHC and for the Europeans the WHC will have more prestige except for the fans of a European country that wins a World Cup. They will hold the World Cup win in higher esteem then a WHC win.

 

[Jonimaus]

My guess?

In the eyes of North Americans (not really a guess here more like a reality) the World Cup will have more prestige then the WHC and for the Europeans the WHC will have more prestige except for the fans of a European country that wins a World Cup. They will hold the World Cup win in higher esteem then a WHC win.

Maybe. But I can gurantee you no European will lose any sleep over either.
Personally I don't care where the tournament is hosted. I know I won't adjust my sleeping schedule to watch any games though. (But I'm up pretty late/early anyways )

The people caring the most will be the HF posters able to laugh at Canadians for winning their tournament in their country, if that ever happens.

 

[The Bad Guy*]

Maybe. But I can gurantee you no European will lose any sleep over either.
Personally I don't care where the tournament is hosted. I know I won't adjust my sleeping schedule to watch any games though. (But I'm up pretty late/early anyways )

The people caring the most will be the HF posters able to laugh at Canadians for winning their tournament in their country, if that ever happens.

Get ready to laugh then

Were they laughing in Sochi? Last I checked that was no place near Canada.

Pfft,Home tournament...................excuses for European posters IMO.

They just know they don't have what it takes at the moment to win anywhere at the senior level when the best players play.

 

[Past Considerations]

What's NHL's plan for WC if IIHF does not get its Olympics participation in return for WC participation, and European leagues + KHL decides do not to make their players available? Just look at Sochi rosters: I think even Russia, Sweden and Finland will have trouble filing a complete roster made up of only NHL players (and is it still a dream team, if third of team's players were selected because KHL players for those positions were not available?), not to mention whoever happens to be the 8th invitational team.

 

[Rob]

What's NHL's plan for WC if IIHF and thus the European leagues and KHL do not get what they want (Olympics) and decides not to play along? I think even Russia, Sweden and Finland will have big trouble filing a complete roster made up of only NHL players, not to mention whoever happens to be the 8th invitational team.

A summit series between Canada and the US.

 

[Past Considerations]

A summit series between Canada and the US.

You can expand that to 4 teams: Canada #2 and Canada-Soviet Union, consisting of players with immigrant background.

 

[Jussi]

Sure it is comparable. The complaint is traveling puts European teams at a disadvantage in the Canada/World Cups,but Canada and the U.S are always traveling overseas every year to the WHC and that is not seen as a problem by European posters regarding the N.A teams.

Doesn't matter if they can bid on it or not, the thing that matters is whether the one day of travel puts you at such a competitive disadvantage that your chances of winning a tournament are greatly reduced.

The bidding is not the issue, the traveling is,or at least that is what European posters here have historically complained about when talking about it always being held in N.A.

Now if they want to say the complaint is strictly about being able to host then you've got a point.

You do realize that both US and Canada will have been in Europe well before the tournament has begun, thus negating jet lag issues? Completely different with the World Cup where European teams will have to travel to NA DURING the tournament.

 

[The Bad Guy*]

You do realize that both US and Canada will have been in Europe well before the tournament has begun, thus negating jet lag issues? Completely different with the World Cup where European teams will have to travel to NA DURING the tournament.

Do they get flown in a couple of hours before their game?

Jet lag is overblown IMO. Young top level male athletes don't need much recover time, I'm not one and I never have when traveling.

Have never seen the big deal.

 

[Get North]

Does it really matter? In the eyes of Europeans the world cup will have equal to or less prestige than the WHC, and noone really cares about that. "Great we won!" "Oh we lost? Meh". It'll be the same with the world cup, so it's not really different. For the forseeable future it will be all about the olympic hockey anyways, and if that is removed, well good bye international hockey.

As long as the world cup is a bonus tournament, I'm all for it. Getting to watch some more NHL players will be fun. Might even be good for the olympic hockey since the players will get slightly more used to playing with eachother.

If a European team won the World Cup it would be more like "Wow, Canada can't win their own tournament, "European Team" is better than Canada!"

 

[xxxx]

Who cares if europeans are interested in World Cup. This is really meaningless and awkward discussion that is going on over and over again. How can you call yourself a fan and not care about a best-on-best event?? Players care and you don't. I don't understand, really. If players have no problem with anything and are willing to play at the highest level for their respective national teams, holding the national pride, you still don't care? That is ridiculous. Also the reasons are ridiculous. Even if all the money takes the NHL (which I doubt will be true), it has nothing to do with the play on the ice. Any reasons similar to 'biased referees, ice-size, rules, etc.' are embarassing really. The fact that a tournament is heldel in Canada (home advantage), is not a rational reason to dislike the tournament or to not give any credit to its winner.

 

[Jonimaus]

Who cares if europeans are interested in World Cup. This is really meaningless and akward discussion that is going on over and over again. How can you call yourself a fan and not care about a best-on-best event?? Players care and you don't. I don't understand, really. If players have no problem with anything and are willing to play at the highest level for their respective national teams, holding the national pride, you still don't care? That is ridiculous. Also the reasons are ridiculous. Even if all the money takes the NHL (which I doubt will be true), it has nothing to do with the play on the ice. Any reasons similar to 'biased referees, ice-size, rules, etc.' are embarassing really. The fact that a tournament is heldel in Canada (home advantage), is not a rational reason to dislike the tournament or to not give it any credit to its winner. The tournament is every freaking 10 years or what, so why is it such a problem. I'm sure players don't care and it would be that much special for them to win on canadian soil.

You seem to, otherwise you wouldn't have bothered to post. Why are you so insecure? If you care and Europeans don't, why does it matter to you?

This is Lundqvists "take" on it:

- Yes, I think it is positive with tournaments where teams can use their best players. It's good for hockey, for example, says Henrik Lundqvist when talking with him at home in New York.
- Of course it would also be beneficial with more time to prepare. If I become jacks. It is not obvious, a lot can happen before it became in 2016 ...
"Would be boring"
Well, we guess that the "King Henrik" is the right given first keeper even then.
Likewise Olympics two years later. If there will be any real hockey tournament in South Korea by 2018.
It is unclear, however, when the NHL and the NHLPA now play slot betting on the World Cup every two years instead. And it worries Lundqvist.
- It would be very boring. I still think that the OS is the best platform for hockey. This is where you can reach new fans. Moreover, it is an amazing experience for us players, he says.


Google translated from: http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockey/landslag/article19716808.ab
(OS = The olympic games)

 

[varsaku]

I think if IIHF moved the WC by a month or two then more players will be available to play and fewer conflicts with the leagues' schedules. I still feel any international tournament should be organized by an international federation so that every country has a say in what is going on. All the money should be going to the different federations to grow hockey and not into NHL owner's pockets.

 

[xxxx]

You seem to, otherwise you wouldn't have bothered to post. Why are you so insecure? If you care and Europeans don't, why does it matter to you?

This is Lundqvists "take" on it:

- Yes, I think it is positive with tournaments where teams can use their best players. It's good for hockey, for example, says Henrik Lundqvist when talking with him at home in New York.
- Of course it would also be beneficial with more time to prepare. If I become jacks. It is not obvious, a lot can happen before it became in 2016 ...
"Would be boring"
Well, we guess that the "King Henrik" is the right given first keeper even then.
Likewise Olympics two years later. If there will be any real hockey tournament in South Korea by 2018.
It is unclear, however, when the NHL and the NHLPA now play slot betting on the World Cup every two years instead. And it worries Lundqvist.
- It would be very boring. I still think that the OS is the best platform for hockey. This is where you can reach new fans. Moreover, it is an amazing experience for us players, he says.


Google translated from: http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockey/landslag/article19716808.ab
(OS = The olympic games)

Trust me, I really don't care. But you are right, I'm going to not care at all from now.

Not sure how much can I trust this, but he might disagree with a 2-2 year format. That's completely different thing than claiming that World Cup is not a best-on-best tournament for him, or not as important as the olympics, etc. He definitely seems to more talk about the tournament's influence in the world, when he reffers to 'best platform for hockey'.

 

[xxxx]

I think if IIHF moved the WC by a month or two then more players will be available to play and fewer conflicts with the leagues' schedules. I still feel any international tournament should be organized by an international federation so that every country has a say in what is going on. All the money should be going to the different federations to grow hockey and not into NHL owner's pockets.

Maybe the IIHF just doesn't have an interest in it. Maybe they are completely fine with the World Championships and the olympics. I think the IIHF doesn't want their 'own' tournament, they probably want the olympics only. And to be honest, they definitely could do something about the WHC schedule, or even players' insurance, etc. Ask them why they can't do anything about it.