WJC 20/21 should be cancelled

[ORRFForever]

What if you’re Sweden and two of your best players aren’t allowed to play when they won’t even have COVID days before the tournament starts? Would you be all about these protocols? Yes, I realize they were set in advance and rules are rules, but I think we should also be questioning these protocols because they are not common sense.

But the rules are in place and they won't change so all we can do is enjoy the players who play.

William H Bonney mentioned long ago that the U.S. should bring their players together early like Canada. It's too bad US Hockey didn't follow his advice because it was smart / common sense.

 

[Yakushev72]

I don’t necessarily disagree with your point about the inherent risk to the tourney... but that was NOT the point of the OP. His big idea was that his team’s competitive level has been unfairly handicapped by circumstances, so why bother? If this had been injuries instead of Covid, it would actually not fundamentally change his point.

Yeah, it sucks to have a key component taken out of your lineup. Just ask Canada who just lost the reigning tournament MVP. You still have to play though, and if you have enough fighting spirit... sometimes you win against all odds.

I didn't interpret it that way. Its one thing (completely overblown and overrated though it may be) to have a player called up to the NHL, and quite another to start losing players to a pandemic before they even start boarding aircrafts to carry them about 8,000 miles in segments to a tournament that no one in their country really gives a damn about. No one knows the full set of consequences for even mild disease, and it doesn't sound like much fun to travel that far and then spend two full weeks in complete isolation like they did in the Stanley Cup. All to entertain a bunch of Canadians who are transfixed over this tournament. Where is the fun there?

 

[ORRFForever]

I didn't interpret it that way. Its one thing (completely overblown and overrated though it may be) to have a player called up to the NHL, and quite another to start losing players to a pandemic before they even start boarding aircrafts to carry them about 8,000 miles in segments to a tournament that no one in their country really gives a damn about. No one knows the full set of consequences for even mild disease, and it doesn't sound like much fun to travel that far and then spend two full weeks in complete isolation like they did in the Stanley Cup. All to entertain a bunch of Canadians who are transfixed over this tournament. Where is the fun there?

If a player feels the WJR's is more trouble than it is worth, he shouldn't come. We had that with Laf and Power. It is what it is.

 

[Statsy]

What if you’re Sweden and two of your best players aren’t allowed to play when they won’t even have COVID days before the tournament starts? Would you be all about these protocols? Yes, I realize they were set in advance and rules are rules, but I think we should also be questioning these protocols because they are not common sense.

For the record, we are actually in agreement on this one. I do question the protocols and don’t have an issue with bringing in a player late to the bubble provided he passes rigorous testing beforehand. However, I’m not an expert in how to operate a Covid bubble for a tournament, so I’ll defer to those that have spent a great deal of time on the planning for it. It’s unfortunate, and quite bad luck for the players, but not much different than coming down with a freak last minute injury.

 

[alko]

Hm, Cajkovic was kicked out from team, should Slovakia go?

 

[iginlafan77]

Hm, Cajkovic was kicked out from team, should Slovakia go?

You lost Krajc too, the tournament isn't fair anymore!

 

[Yakushev72]

You're very much correct. Canada won the tournament before while Lemieux, Yzerman, and 17 other players were not available due to the NHL. Russia has won it with Kovalchuk and others not available. USA won without Matthews, Tkachuk, Werenski and more in 2017. It happens, no reason to call things off because a whopping two players are no longer available.

In my opinion, health is a relevant issue, going to the NHL is not. Canadians seem to have a very fragile ego when it comes to this tournament, and the issue of "players in the NHL" is often pulled out as a default excuse in case things don't work out in the tournament. I would say this, "gone to the NHL" is a legitimate excuse when you have 17- or 18-year olds who are skating a regular shift in the NHL and are starring for their teams - in other words, Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux. But when you are talking about 19-year olds who hold an NHL roster spot, and only occasionally get some ice time, it is totally irrelevant! They would almost never make a real difference, since WJC rosters from contending countries are as talented as anyone else.

 

[Yakushev72]

There should be no testing of the players. They are all healthy 18-20 year old 1% athletes. There’s no reason to think they are at any risk. I’d rather not further ruin this tournament for a few health bureaucrats to be satisfied that they ruined what would’ve ended up being the most satisfying hockey experience of many of these kids careers. Undoubtedly more will get added to the list without good reason.

Donald, is that you?

 

[Buggsy]

In my opinion, health is a relevant issue, going to the NHL is not. Canadians seem to have a very fragile ego when it comes to this tournament, and the issue of "players in the NHL" is often pulled out as a default excuse in case things don't work out in the tournament. I would say this, "gone to the NHL" is a legitimate excuse when you have 17- or 18-year olds who are skating a regular shift in the NHL and are starring for their teams - in other words, Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux. But when you are talking about 19-year olds who hold an NHL roster spot, and only occasionally get some ice time, it is totally irrelevant! They would almost never make a real difference, since WJC rosters from contending countries are as talented as anyone else.

You don't think that having Lafreniere, the reigning tournament MVP, would make a difference because he's not Gretzky?

 

[Adam da bomb]

In my opinion, health is a relevant issue, going to the NHL is not. Canadians seem to have a very fragile ego when it comes to this tournament, and the issue of "players in the NHL" is often pulled out as a default excuse in case things don't work out in the tournament. I would say this, "gone to the NHL" is a legitimate excuse when you have 17- or 18-year olds who are skating a regular shift in the NHL and are starring for their teams - in other words, Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux. But when you are talking about 19-year olds who hold an NHL roster spot, and only occasionally get some ice time, it is totally irrelevant! They would almost never make a real difference, since WJC rosters from contending countries are as talented as anyone else.

We’ll see as soon as players like Dach dominate this tournament at a rate higher than other countries stars. Guess what players of his ilk would not be available if nhl was on. Players like Byram who will most likely be top D in tourney would not be available if nhl was on.

 

[iginlafan77]

You don't think that having Lafreniere, the reigning tournament MVP, would make a difference because he's not Gretzky?

Obviously he makes a difference, but not significantly more than Hughes or Kakko. All countries lose guys to the NHL.

 

[Adam da bomb]

Obviously he makes a difference, but not significantly more than Hughes or Kakko. All countries lose guys to the NHL.

Interesting Laf had a lot more hype than those other guys I believe. It’s interesting if he turns out to be not much better than either.
Neither Hughes or Kakko had big first seasons let’s see how laf’s first season is and whether he is more in the vein of an Eichel than a Hischier or Hughes.

 

[LFCTML]

I said the whole traveling group. I don’t believe I’m wrong about that. If there is one or two people at risk in the traveling group for every country, it makes for sense for them to stay back as opposed to players.

And the tournament is taking place in a bubble. They will not be allowed to interact with the rest of society once they get to Edmonton. They don’t need to be tested to be in this bubble. Why would they?

The fact of the matter is that there’s minimal risk to anyone involved in any way for this tournament. I would rather a few people here or there sit out of their job in some capacity for this tournament that are at risk than have the stars of this tournament be forced to miss the tournament if they test positive for a virus that has poses nearly zero risk to their health.

Jesus, how stupid can you possibly be.

 

[iginlafan77]

Interesting Laf had a lot more hype than those other guys I believe. It’s interesting if he turns out to be not much better than either.
Neither Hughes or Kakko had big first seasons let’s see how laf’s first season is and whether he is more in the vein of an Eichel than a Hischier or Hughes.

I'm only talking about how much they would impact this particular tournament, not their NHL career.

 

[Adam da bomb]

I'm only talking about how much they would impact this particular tournament, not their NHL career.

But can’t we see how they do in this season and say yep Laf had a much better first season than Kakko he would have definitely been much better on wjc? Or not which is equally possible.

 

[iginlafan77]

But can’t we see how they do in this season and say yep Laf had a much better first season than Kakko he would have definitely been much better on wjc? Or not which is equally possible.

Well I wouldn't compare their first seasons necessarily. I'd compare the 2020-21 season that each of them has.

 

[romelson]

Sweden already lost one superstar and our 1st center due to covid19. More players are going to test positive. Teams might not even dress a full team when tournament start.

At this point just cancel the tournament. The hockey wont be played on even premises.

Sweden appointed an extra large squad for the pre-camp for exactly this scenario of players having to leave because of positive tests.
This is a scenario that we calculated with as a plausible scenario.

It's embarrassing that some fellow swedes are so quick to enter little whiny child mode.

 

[HBK27]

What if you’re Sweden and two of your best players aren’t allowed to play when they won’t even have COVID days before the tournament starts? Would you be all about these protocols? Yes, I realize they were set in advance and rules are rules, but I think we should also be questioning these protocols because they are not common sense.

Seems like there should be some flexibility built into the protocols. If these Swedish players already have COVID now, it seems that they should be recovered and non-contagious before the start of the tournament.

Is the issue that they can't get over to Canada soon enough (because of their current quarantine) to quarantine for two weeks in Canada before the start of the tournament? If that's the case, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Why would they be required to quarantine in Canada if we already know they've just recovered from COVID?

 

[iginlafan77]

Seems like there should be some flexibility built into the protocols. If these Swedish players already have COVID now, it seems that they should be recovered and non-contagious before the start of the tournament.

Is the issue that they can't get over to Canada soon enough (because of their current quarantine) to quarantine for two weeks in Canada before the start of the tournament? If that's the case, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Why would they be required to quarantine in Canada if we already know they've just recovered from COVID?

Government rule is still 2 week quarantine when entering. I'm not sure how much research has been done into contracting it multiple times (different strains?), and also logistically it would be difficult to keep track of tests from other countries.

 

[HBK27]

Government rule is still 2 week quarantine when entering. I'm not sure how much research has been done into contracting it multiple times (different strains?), and also logistically it would be difficult to keep track of tests from other countries.

Logistically, it wouldn't be that difficult as you're just talking about a handful of players at most that would be in this type of situation.

I get that you can't go around government rules, even if there isn't much logic there behind having someone that JUTS got over COVID quarantine for 2 weeks.

Not sure what the timeline is for when the players would be allowed to travel - I believe in the US it's something like only 10 days after you tested positive (this was according to a friend of mine that recently had it, so I could certainly be off). If the players had it last week, I wonder if they would be technically be allowed to travel by next week and be able to quarantine for 2 weeks and join the tournament in progress afterwards (yes, I know this is not going to happen - but logistically, just wondering if that could've been the case).

 

[GJB]

3 pages in and no one mentioning the players that are out due to covid, who are they?

 

[iginlafan77]

3 pages in and no one mentioning the players that are out due to covid, who are they?

Swedes Eklund and Henriksson
German Ancicka
Americans Commesso, Vlasic and Mastrosimone.

Edit: add William wallinder for the Swedes

 

[WRC]

There should be no testing of the players. They are all healthy 18-20 year old 1% athletes. There’s no reason to think they are at any risk. I’d rather not further ruin this tournament for a few health bureaucrats to be satisfied that they ruined what would’ve ended up being the most satisfying hockey experience of many of these kids careers. Undoubtedly more will get added to the list without good reason.

I didn't think there could be anyone so ignorant and stupid. Wow! ... Go read a book man. Look up viral myocarditis.

 

[TheMule93]

Swedes Eklund and Henriksson
German Ancicka
Americans Commesso, Vlasic and Mastrosimone.

I think that's all so far

add William Wallinder to that list

 

[ORRFForever]

I didn't think there could be anyone so ignorant and stupid. Wow! ... Go read a book man. Look up viral myocarditis.