What team has best chance against Canada in 2020 World Cup?

[dalewood12]

Russia? Sweden? US?

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[moropanov]

Finland will have also much better team than in 2016, but still i think Usa will be toughest for Canada in 2020 then Swe 3rd Fin/rUS 4-5

 

[Xokkeu]

There won't be a 2020 World Cup. Lock out will kill it

 

[ForumNamePending]

IMO the most likely answer is: No one, because it isn't happening.

Between looming CBA strife and the last WCup falling well below expectation, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the league and PA have already quietly decided to shelf the thing indefinitely.

 

[Big Phil]

IMO the most likely answer is: No one, because it isn't happening.

Between looming CBA strife and the last WCup falling well below expectation, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the league and PA have already quietly decided to shelf the thing indefinitely.

The 2016 World Cup was a passionless exhibition. I am glad Canada won, but put it this way, I went to Fenway Park in what would have been Game 3 of the World Cup final. It was a Saturday night. I had tickets to see my Blue Jays that night from a while back perfectly knowing that should there be a Game 3 it falls on that same night. That should tell you everything you need to know about a lifetime hockey fan's opinion of the importance of the 2016 World Cup to me. It meant nothing, but the league chose to do that and make it that way with the gimmick teams. Thankfully Canada beat the one gimmick team in Game 2 and I never had to miss Game 3, but I would still have gone to Fenway Park.

All they had to do was keep the format the same as it has always been and they didn't. It led to the most boring hockey that you could possibly watch with the best players in the world.

There won't be a 2020 World Cup. Lock out will kill it

You don't think they'll keep the contract until 2022 like scheduled? (I know the last two years are optional but is one side going to be the one to take the first step and cancel hockey?)

 

[Big Phil]

Either way, Canada should still comfortably win if they do have one in 2020. They still have the golden era team there with some new blood. 2020 would be the perfect mix. Then again, 2018 would have been too.

 

[JackSlater]

IMO the most likely answer is: No one, because it isn't happening.

Probably. The NHL killed the last one with its beyond idiotic gimmicks. The NHLPA will kill the next one by forcing a lockout it will not benefit from.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

They are still favorites but their blue line is getting older. Sweden is faring better in that regard by then. The US will have a young and talented team to challenge them.

 

[Big Phil]

They are still favorites but their blue line is getting older. Sweden is faring better in that regard by then. The US will have a young and talented team to challenge them.

Who is Sweden going to have up front or in net? I realize their D is solid.

 

[Ducks76]

Finland could be a hard opponent! Much young Finns with good performance today(Laine,Teravainen,Aho,Risto,Rantanen,Barkov,Lindell etc.).
2020 they are stronger + playing style(defence) could be very danger for Canada.

 

[Xokkeu]

The USA team will suck because all our best players will be on team Gatorade u25

 

[Zegras Zebra]

If this tournament actually happens, and there are no gimmick teams that reduce the strength of any nation then the Americans will be the biggest threat to Canada followed by the Swedes, Russians and Fins. Any of these nations could win, and the others will just be happy to compete.

 

[Xokkeu]

Bettman interview today said flat out if the PA reopens the CBA there is no World Cup.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Finland could be a hard opponent! Much young Finns with good performance today(Laine,Teravainen,Aho,Risto,Rantanen,Barkov,Lindell etc.).
2020 they are stronger + playing style(defence) could be very danger for Canada.

Defense still might be Achilles' heel. Could look like this in 3 years.

Heiskanen-Ristolainen
Määttä-Vatanen
Lindell-Honka

 

[1Gold Standard]

2020 World Cup? If the NHL and NHLPA can't come to an agreement on committing to the next 3 or 4 Olympics (China and beyond), then the IIHF and every European Hockey Federation should just tell the NHL to jump in the Hudson.

 

[JackSlater]

Bettman interview today said flat out if the PA reopens the CBA there is no World Cup.

As has been suggested for some time, and meaning that the tournament won't take place. Some people have stupidly put blame on the players for the lack of participation in the 2018 Olympics. This will be a far better opportunity to let the players share in on the blame, as they prepare for a lockout they will inevitably not benefit from. Again.

 

[Xokkeu]

As has been suggested for some time, and meaning that the tournament won't take place. Some people have stupidly put blame on the players for the lack of participation in the 2018 Olympics. This will be a far better opportunity to let the players share in on the blame, as they prepare for a lockout they will inevitably not benefit from. Again.

If I understand correctly they have to opt out by late 2019 so we'll have plenty of time to grieve the death of top level international hockey.

It's just so funny to hear the NHL talk about expanding to Europe. Will Europeans really care about the avalanche playing the senators if their players can NEVER represent their countries?

 

[FuriousSenator]

Team College Washouts or maybe Team Old Timers if they can find their skates.

 

[JackSlater]

If I understand correctly they have to opt out by late 2019 so we'll have plenty of time to grieve the death of top level international hockey.

It's just so funny to hear the NHL talk about expanding to Europe. Will Europeans really care about the avalanche playing the senators if their players can NEVER represent their countries?

Indeed. If and when this comes to pass I will be very prepared to give the NHLPA its rightful due.