World Cup: What Team Canada players think about the WC

[xxxx]

This article was posted just before the exhibition games started, and I think it's interesting enough to post it here. Here's what TC players had to say about this tournament. Perhaps it will open some eyes for people who think it's meaningless tournament? Or do these people really don't care how important it is to players? Ok then, but for the others:

If anybody is complaining about it now, they likely won’t be in a couple of weeks when the competition is under way.

“It’s getting some beefs I guess,” Los Angeles Kings/Team Canada defenceman Jake Muzzin said on Tuesday at the Canadian Tire Centre. “Once (the fans) see the talent that’s here and the competition of the games people are going to (say), ‘Yeah, this is why the World Cup and the NHL is doing this.’

“It will probably (quiet) all the critics ... right away.”

Matt Duchene:

“Every kid at home wants to believe they’re part of the best hockey country in the world and it’s up to us to do that. Most guys are thinking that way. I know I am. I don’t take this tournament lightly even for a second. It doesn’t matter if we’re not playing for Olympic gold or whatever. It’s Team Canada, we’re playing against the best other players from every country in the world and we have to be ready.”

Crosby

“As you go along, you realize there’s only a small window to play in these kind of things. They don’t necessarily happen every year so you try and make the most of that opportunity,” said Crosby.

Team Canada players think fans will be captivated by World Cup once games get rolling

quotes like this should be no surprise after watching the exhibition games. You even must be thinking that the other players from other teams have very similar thought process, after what effort and intensity have been on display in the exhibition games, again - those are just exhibitions. Yet, some of those were on a level of SC playoffs.

I'm not sure when was the last time I saw such great hockey and so many brawls in pre-tournament games for a "meaningless tournament" . And this thing still hasn't even started yet. Yet, we've seen extremely high pace and physicality from all the participating teams, and incredible effort. Seguin even got injured.

It clearly means much for the players, and I ask the question, shouldn't THAT be kinda an important factor?

Click to read more...

 

[JackSlater]

Unfortunately, the problem with this tournament is not whether Duchene will take things lightly or whether Crosby believes in making the most of his opportunities. Once teams are put on different footing, like by putting national teams against age restricted national teams against an age restricted continental team against a continental team missing its strongest nations, it becomes a meaningless exercise.

Once again, the meaningless nature of the tournament doesn't mean people can't enjoy it for what it is. It's nice that some fans can get what they want - an all star exhibition.

 

[CornKicker]

of course they asked jake muzzin since hes never been to the olympics before, lol bum tourny

 

[Dr Pepper]

I think you'd have a hard time finding quotes from players selected to play on these teams, that are critical of the tourney itself.

Of course when asked, they're going to say what a "thrill and honour" it is to play for the World Cup of Hockey....

 

[bigd]

The end result will be determined by how many players are injured before training cap. If we see quite a few serious injuries then I'm sure the players union will rethink the next one.

 

[Elvs]

“Every kid at home wants to believe they’re part of the best hockey country in the world and it’s up to us to do that. Most guys are thinking that way. I know I am. I don’t take this tournament lightly even for a second. It doesn’t matter if we’re not playing for Olympic gold or whatever. It’s Team Canada, we’re playing against the best other players from every country in the world and we have to be ready.”

Bolded are the key words here. All players in this tournament doesn't get to represent their country.

Yeah, Canada and USA went at it in both games. Great games with great intensity. That's besides the point though. They would still get at it without the gimmick teams. If anything, it would just make them take the tournament even more seriously.

 

[xxxx]

hey, so you force your opinion and assume players think the same? That they also think badly about the format and that's why they are polite to media, it couldn't be that they don't mind the format and like it actually, f*** rationality, I guess?

 

[JackSlater]

Bolded are the key words here. All players in this tournament doesn't get to represent their country.

In addition to some players not getting to play for their country, no conclusions can be made based on this tournament. Not that even a best on best indicates "which country is best" but this tournament does far from that. Some countries have restrictions, and some teams are pseudo continental teams as opposed to national teams.

hey, so you force your opinion and assume players think the same? That they also think badly about the format and that's why they are polite to media, it couldn't be that they don't mind the format and like it actually, f*** rationality, I guess?

Now now, there is no need to get upset and threaten us with pictures of women again. You've already declared that any format the NHL uses is automatically better than any other format, and that the exhibition games are just as serious as the Stanley Cup playoffs. We know where you stand, and it cannot be taken very seriously. The problems with the format go beyond what the players think. The players could all love the format, or they could all hate it, and it wouldn't change a thing about the flaws that are built into the format.

 

[Elvs]

hey, so you force your opinion and assume players think the same? That they also think badly about the format and that's why they are polite to media, it couldn't be that they don't mind the format and like it actually, f*** rationality, I guess?

Yes, I assume all players likes representing their country on the big stage, just like Duchene. It's not only Canadian kids who grow up dreaming about playing for their country.

 

[Gary Nylund]

My guess is that the only people still questioning how engaged the players may or may not be are the ones who steadfastly refuse to watch the games. Anyone watching has seen the proof with their own eyes - they're playing hard!

 

[JackSlater]

Yes, I assume all players likes representing their country on the big stage, just like Duchene. It's not only Canadian kids who grow up dreaming about playing for their country.

You don't think that there is a generation that grew up dreaming of playing for their continental age group? What about the generations that grew up hoping to play most but not all of Europe?

 

[86Habs]

hey, so you force your opinion and assume players think the same? That they also think badly about the format and that's why they are polite to media, it couldn't be that they don't mind the format and like it actually, f*** rationality, I guess?

You're being overly sensitive and insecure about whether others like this tournament or not. The important thing is that you enjoy it, you think highly of it, and it is relevant, meaningful and important to you. None of my buddies give two f***s about U.S. college football but it doesn't stop me from watching it all day, every Saturday in the fall. At this point you're not going to convince people who don't like the tournament to like it or appreciate....the format/structure is polarizing and "traditionalists" like myself don't and won't like it because the format deviates significantly from all previous best-on-best tournaments. I'm not going to rehash the points because you've heard them before. Whether Crosby or Duchene or whoever cares about the tournament and wants to win is irrelevant, as the going assumption is that they do care. The tournament is filled with top talent and the (partial) games I've caught so far have been decent to very good. So enjoy the hockey man.

 

[Elvs]

My guess is that the only people still questioning how engaged the players may or may not be are the ones who steadfastly refuse to watch the games. Anyone watching has seen the proof with their own eyes - they're playing hard!

Nope, you just keep missing the point people are trying to make. You could throw the New Jersey Devils into the tournament. They might be playing hard, but that still makes them a gimmick team in an international tournament. They are a club team, not a national team.

And Team Europe has been playing far from hard. The desperation USA and Canada showed, that's what's needed to win or even be competitive in this thing. Team Europe won't go the same lenghts to win games, as they have no fans and a crest that means nothing.

With that said, I will watch the tournament. It's september and I haven't seen hockey in a while. And how often do I get to see the Swedish NHL players represent my country? Almost never. But I wish I could watch the tournament and not feel guilty about it, on behalf of my European neighbours who were given a team to hate.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Nope, you just keep missing the point people are trying to make. You could throw the New Jersey Devils into the tournament. They might be playing hard, but that still makes them a gimmick team in an international tournament. They are a club team, not a national team.

And Team Europe has been playing far from hard. The desperation USA and Canada showed, that's what's needed to win or even be competitive in this thing. Team Europe won't go the same lenghts to win games, as they have no fans and a crest that means nothing.

With that said, I will watch the tournament. It's september and I haven't seen hockey in a while. And how often do I get to see the Swedish NHL players represent my country? Almost never. But I wish I could watch the tournament and not feel guilty about it, on behalf of my European neighbours who were given a team to hate.

Actually, I'm just pointing out that the point many were making previously has been refuted. There were many posts saying all the players wouldn't be playing hard (not just Team Europe) because hey, it's just a meaningless tournament. This has been proven wrong already as overall, the intensity of play has been high and we're still playing warm up games.

I'm not so sure Team Europe hasn't been playing hard either, have you considered the possibility that they're just not that good? It's also possible that because they're a bit older it may take more time for them to get going.

 

[JackSlater]

My guess is that the only people still questioning how engaged the players may or may not be are the ones who steadfastly refuse to watch the games. Anyone watching has seen the proof with their own eyes - they're playing hard!

My guess is that you haven't bothered considering what most people said, which is not that players have not been trying. The problem is not player engagement, the problem is the format itself. Of course setting up the patented straw man makes for an easier post though.

You're being overly sensitive and insecure about whether others like this tournament or not. The important thing is that you enjoy it, you think highly of it, and it is relevant, meaningful and important to you. None of my buddies give two f***s about U.S. college football but it doesn't stop me from watching it all day, every Saturday in the fall. At this point you're not going to convince people who don't like the tournament to like it or appreciate....the format/structure is polarizing and "traditionalists" like myself don't and won't like it because the format deviates significantly from all previous best-on-best tournaments. I'm not going to rehash the points because you've heard them before. Whether Crosby or Duchene or whoever cares about the tournament and wants to win is irrelevant, as the going assumption is that they do care. The tournament is filled with top talent and the (partial) games I've caught so far have been decent to very good. So enjoy the hockey man.

A more diplomatic approach, but truthful.

 

[FVM]

With that said, I will watch the tournament. It's september and I haven't seen hockey in a while. And how often do I get to see the Swedish NHL players represent my country? Almost never. But I wish I could watch the tournament and not feel guilty about it, on behalf of my European neighbours who were given a team to hate.

This is where I am at, too. I resent the NHL for butchering this tournament and making mockery of international hockey with their lame gimmick teams. Still, it's great to see the real national sides playing with their best players. I will watch it and cheer hard for Finland, but Team Europe just leaves a bad taste that doesn't go away.

 

[Elvs]

There were many posts saying all the players wouldn't be playing hard (not just Team Europe) because hey, it's just a meaningless tournament. This has been proven wrong already as overall, the intensity of play has been high and we're still playing warm up games.

I'm not so sure Team Europe hasn't been playing hard either, have you considered the possibility that they're just not that good? It's also possible that because they're a bit older it may take more time for them to get going.

I wouldn't have agreed with those prior to the tournament, but ok.

Team Europe hasn't been playing hard. A team like Slovakia and Switzerland can be outplayed but you can at least see the desperation. Team Europe has done nothing of the so called 'little things that helps you win games'. There's no shotblocking, no taking hits to make plays, nothing at all going on between whistles, no facewashing or trash talking whatsoever.

The only reason they came back in the 2nd exhibition game was because the NA kids stopped moving there feet when the game was already 5-1 after one period. That's just a natural response of having a four goal lead in an exhibition game.

Team Europe simply has nothing to play for. What's supposed to be their motivation factor? Just the World Cup trophy itself? Winning it and have no fans to celebrate with you anywhere in the world? Good luck to them if that's the only motivation factor they have, cus the other teams get a bit more than that.

The players on Team Europe simply has a much bigger responsibilty to their teammates in the NHL trying to stay healthy. If someone doesn't work hard on Team Europe, who's gonna hold them accountable? Probably not their teammates. Just some fans on HFboards who keeps believing that "Team Europe" should mean something no matter how many Europeans tell them otherwise.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I wouldn't have agreed with those prior to the tournament, but ok.

Team Europe hasn't been playing hard. A team like Slovakia and Switzerland can be outplayed but you can at least see the desperation. Team Europe has done nothing of the so called 'little things that helps you win games'. There's no shotblocking, no taking hits to make plays, nothing at all going on between whistles, no facewashing or trash talking whatsoever.

The only reason they came back in the 2nd exhibition game was because the NA kids stopped moving there feet when the game was already 5-1 after one period. That's just a natural response of having a four goal lead in an exhibition game.

Team Europe simply has nothing to play for. What's supposed to be their motivation factor? Just the World Cup trophy itself? Winning it and have no fans to celebrate with you anywhere in the world? Good luck to them if that's the only motivation factor they have, cus the other teams get a bit more than that.

The players on Team Europe simply has a much bigger responsibilty to their teammates in the NHL trying to stay healthy. If someone doesn't work hard on Team Europe, who's gonna hold them accountable? Probably not their teammates. Just some fans on HFboards who keeps believing that "Team Europe" should mean something no matter how many Europeans tell them otherwise.

This may all be true, we'll know better once the real games are played. It begs the question though of why bother playing at all, Chara could easily say he needs time to rest or whatever. I'd guess that a player either stays home, or shows up and plays up hard. If it was me I don't see myself saying OK I'll go but I won't play hard. Maybe that's just me, I dunno. I would think most players feel the same though.

 

[LetsGoBLUES91]

My guess is that the only people still questioning how engaged the players may or may not be are the ones who steadfastly refuse to watch the games. Anyone watching has seen the proof with their own eyes - they're playing hard!

Exactly. I can't help but laugh at the stubbornness of the "I'm not watching it dammit!" crowd. Like first of all, why? But now that the freaking practice games have been hard fought, they still refuse. Because one team is from Europe or something. As if it'd be better to throw Slovakia and Germany in there instead of NA and Europe.