World Cup Boycott

[JackSlater]

I'm seeing a cultural difference here. Around here (Finland) the Olympics brand is so strong, that if an athlete we've never heard of wins gold in a sport we've never heard of, that athlete would be celebrated as national hero.

The tournament would have worse rosters than WHC, which at least has some NHL players from eliminated teams, but the average person would still care about it more.

Part of it is cultural difference for sure, but the example doesn't fit perfectly. Rightly or wrongly, people use Olympic results for comparative purposes. The unknown athlete wins in some random sport at the Olympics, and we at least assume he beat the best to do that. Without NHL players at the Olympics, that quality is removed. The Olympic brand is not strong enough in North America to compensate for that.

Where is Hockey Canada and USA Hockey in all of this. Do they have no say in anything or have they just become a puppet of NHL.

Hockey Canada, or at least Tom Renney, was actually in favour of the idiotic Young Gunz gimmick team. Pretty shameful. USA Hockey was less positive regarding the gimmick apparently, and their actions since (asking for an exception) demonstrates that.

 

[varsaku]

It would appear so as far as cultural difference.

But really, aside from the social side of spirit of world unity and friendship and cultural exchange the whole point of the athletic side of the olympics is for each nation to test it's best athletes against each other. Hence, why some unknown athlete in a sport you have never heard of would be celebrated as a hero in Finland, because they competed against the best in the world and by their efforts showed they were the best in the world.

In hockey, if you take away nhl player representation, you take away that claim.

What do you go crazy for and plan the parades for then? top spot in a world hockey at best C competition?

I can't see why people from Europe don't see the obvious disconnect here.

Because of an olympic "brand"?

The brand itself does not mean much if it isn't what it is supposed to represent.

Only hockey fans would know the difference. Most people won't even know that NHL players are not playing but would still watch because it is the Olympics.

The Miracle on Ice team is still celebrated way more than any US team since. No one will remember a stacked world cup of hockey team even if they win the title.

 

[kabidjan18]

Only hockey fans would know the difference. Most people won't even know that NHL players are not playing but would still watch because it is the Olympics.

The Miracle on Ice team is still celebrated way more than any US team since. No one will remember a stacked world cup of hockey team even if they win the title.

Mostly only Hockey fans watch the Olympic hockey tournament. I had to wake up at like 4 to watch the finals last time. I would stay up until around 2 just waiting for the Austria games to get started. If you're not a hockey fan you're not going to make such sacrifices, and if you're just watching Ryan Lasch and Pierre Marc Bouchard you're not going to do it even if you are a hockey fan.

 

[jj cale]

Only hockey fans would know the difference. Most people won't even know that NHL players are not playing but would still watch because it is the Olympics.

The Miracle on Ice team is still celebrated way more than any US team since. No one will remember a stacked world cup of hockey team even if they win the title.

The miracle on ice would mean nothing in American folklore if they had not beaten the BEST Russian players.

There is a reason it is called a miracle.

Olympic hockey needs the best players possible from all countries, without them it means next to nothing. It's significance is utterly dismantled.

 

[JackSlater]

Only hockey fans would know the difference. Most people won't even know that NHL players are not playing but would still watch because it is the Olympics.

The Miracle on Ice team is still celebrated way more than any US team since. No one will remember a stacked world cup of hockey team even if they win the title.

If 1980 USA team was not taking on the best Soviets, but instead a team far from their best, would people care nearly as much? Obviously not.

As far as the ridiculousness of this World Cup...

 

[snipes]

If 1980 USA team was not taking on the best Soviets, but instead a team far from their best, would people care nearly as much? Obviously not.

As far as the ridiculousness of this World Cup...

Don't blame the federations for complaining. Hopefully these two teams are just a one off and won't continue going forward.

From what they said initially, the Young Gunz and Team Euro are just for 2016 and there will be some sort of mini tournament to determine the other 2 spots going forward.

The thing is though, the level of hockey played is likely to be at an incredibly high level with the best players in the world all at one tournament.

 

[jj cale]

Don't blame the federations for complaining. Hopefully these two teams are just a one off and won't continue going forward.

From what they said initially, the Young Gunz and Team Euro are just for 2016 and there will be some sort of mini tournament to determine the other 2 spots going forward.

The thing is though, the level of hockey played is likely to be at an incredibly high level with the best players in the world all at one tournament.

About the only thing that can be said about this thing is that the level of play and players will be much higher then a non NHL olympics.

I can't believe we are about to turn the clock back like this in olympic hockey.

The NHL really needs to be taken to task for this.

 

[snipes]

About the only thing that can be said about this thing is that the level of play and players will be much higher then a non NHL olympics.

I can't believe we are about to turn the clock back like this in olympic hockey.

The NHL really needs to be taken to task for this.

If they let the guys play in the Olympics, I'll give them a pass.

 

[jj cale]

If they let the guys play in the Olympics, I'll give them a pass.

Sure, all will be forgiven.

But it sure does not look as if that is going to happen.

 

[JackSlater]

If they let the guys play in the Olympics, I'll give them a pass.

They do not deserve a pass. They are sabotaging a once great tournament that was a legitimate best on best with these gimmicks, and Daly is already on record as saying that the NHL would like this tournament to replace best on best Olympics.

 

[jj cale]

They do not deserve a pass. They are sabotaging a once great tournament that was a legitimate best on best with these gimmicks, and Daly is already on record as saying that the NHL would like this tournament to replace best on best Olympics.

I think this world cup is going to bomb though, I just do not see it capturing the imagination of even the Canadian public very much.

 

[snipes]

They do not deserve a pass. They are sabotaging a once great tournament that was a legitimate best on best with these gimmicks, and Daly is already on record as saying that the NHL would like this tournament to replace best on best Olympics.

If it's only a one off and they use 8 national teams going forward, it's not as morally blameworthy. As gimmicky as it is, the hockey will be incredible.

It can never replace the Olympics as best on best. I will be disgusted if they don't let the NHL guys go, I'm sure hockey fans around the world will too.

History won't remember Bettman, Daly and Co. kindly if they decline to let the guys go.

 

[Alexanderthe89]

I'm clearly in the minority here but I'm actually mildly excited for this tournament. Hockey's entertainment and I think the format could be interesting. Kind of really like the idea of the youngest superstars in the game today going up against the guys they grew up idolizing.

 

[Ilyeu]

The Canada Cup had a legacy, Bettman and his cronies in the NHL made sure to ruin that. At least the original tournament and trophy had some prestige.

 

[Jablkon]

Fair enough, if you can actually squeeze some value out of a non nhl player olympics then good, but not many will and you can easily see why.

And no, they don't have to cut out hockey from the olympics, I guess it has to be there in some form.

It just won't mean a damn thing that's all.

****in nhl being stupid.

Just correction. i will probably wtach it, but with much less interest, no stress and anxiety...

 

[Sanderson]

Mostly only Hockey fans watch the Olympic hockey tournament. I had to wake up at like 4 to watch the finals last time. I would stay up until around 2 just waiting for the Austria games to get started. If you're not a hockey fan you're not going to make such sacrifices, and if you're just watching Ryan Lasch and Pierre Marc Bouchard you're not going to do it even if you are a hockey fan.

That isn't true at all. The Olympics get most of their viewers from people who normally wouldn't watch the sport in question.

Now, things obviously depend on where the Olympics are going on, as there will obviously be less of a general audience in countries where things happen in the middle of the night, but on a general basis it is very much true. People will flock to events in which their country looks to succeed, even if they are mostly clueless about the sport.

 

[JackSlater]

I'm clearly in the minority here but I'm actually mildly excited for this tournament. Hockey's entertainment and I think the format could be interesting. Kind of really like the idea of the youngest superstars in the game today going up against the guys they grew up idolizing.

Good thing the NHL already exists, where you can see these players play against the players they grew up idolizing basically every single night. The chance to see something like say... Crosby and McDavid play together is far more rare than the chance to see McDavid play against Crosby. This doesn't even take into account the idiocy of seeing a player like McDavid play against his own country.

If it's only a one off and they use 8 national teams going forward, it's not as morally blameworthy. As gimmicky as it is, the hockey will be incredible.

It can never replace the Olympics as best on best. I will be disgusted if they don't let the NHL guys go, I'm sure hockey fans around the world will too.

History won't remember Bettman, Daly and Co. kindly if they decline to let the guys go.

The World Cup could match and eventually surpass the Olympic tournament as an event, but it certainly won't with the current format. Even for this tournament though it's a waste to bring pretty much all of the world's best players together for a supposedly international tournament and then sabatoge the event itself with these moronic gimmicks.

 

[snipes]

The World Cup could match and eventually surpass the Olympic tournament as an event, but it certainly won't with the current format. Even for this tournament though it's a waste to bring pretty much all of the world's best players together for a supposedly international tournament and then sabatoge the event itself with these moronic gimmicks.

Gimmicks do ruin the true nature of best-on-best country vs. country. I agree with that point.

Fingers crossed they never do this again. Even though it will probably be some of the best hockey ever played. All of the worlds best gathered at one time.

Yeah, Young Gunz is gimmicky--But you also have McDavid playing with Eichel, Gaudreau, and likely Matthews. When else will you ever see that? Throw in Ghost and Eklbad.

Team Europe -- Kopitar deserves to play meaningful hockey in best-on-best. I could go on.

As much as we hate on it now, I think deep down people know the hockey will be an extremely high level.

 

[Xokkeu]

Gimmicks do ruin the true nature of best-on-best country vs. country. I agree with that point.

Fingers crossed they never do this again. Even though it will probably be some of the best hockey ever played. All of the worlds best gathered at one time.

Yeah, Young Gunz is gimmicky--But you also have McDavid playing with Eichel, Gaudreau, and likely Matthews. When else will you ever see that? Throw in Ghost and Eklbad.

Team Europe -- Kopitar deserves to play meaningful hockey in best-on-best. I could go on.

As much as we hate on it now, I think deep down people know the hockey will be an extremely high level.

You will see that at an all star game. Which is what all star games are for.

 

[snipes]

You will see that at an all star game. Which is what all star games are for.

Because the level of competitiveness amongst the players will be the same at an All Star game as it will be at the World Cup?

 

[Xokkeu]

They do not deserve a pass. They are sabotaging a once great tournament that was a legitimate best on best with these gimmicks, and Daly is already on record as saying that the NHL would like this tournament to replace best on best Olympics.

We are battered spouses... We let them do whatever they want and keep coming back. Just don't take our Olympics !!

 

[snipes]

We are battered spouses... We let them do whatever they want and keep coming back. Just don't take our Olympics !!

This.

I will 100 percent forgive the NHL for any gimmicky World Cup if they let the guys go to the Olympics.

 

[Xokkeu]

Because the level of competitiveness amongst the players will be the same at an All Star game as it will be at the World Cup?

I think it really remains to be seen just how much the gimmick teams will try. There's no inherent rule at the all star game that says don't try. I know I would never be excited to play in a fake tournament with fake teams. I'd much rather see Gaudreau and Kane or Eichel and Pavelski than Eichel and McDavid.

That actually represents something.


Admittedly team Europe really doesn't bother me as much as the age limit team.

 

[snipes]

I think it really remains to be seen just how much the gimmick teams will try. There's no inherent rule at the all star game that says don't try. I know I would never be excited to play in a fake tournament with fake teams. I'd much rather see Gaudreau and Kane or Eichel and Pavelski than Eichel and McDavid.

That actually represents something.


Admittedly team Europe really doesn't bother me as much as the age limit team.

Yeah, I agree it's not ideal and I'm not happy about it. I'm literally at the point of trying to make the best of it and hoping it's just for the first tournament.

Slovakia and Switzerland should be at the next World Cup.

 

[JackSlater]

Yeah, Young Gunz is gimmicky--But you also have McDavid playing with Eichel, Gaudreau, and likely Matthews. When else will you ever see that? Throw in Ghost and Eklbad.

So what? We have all star games for that purpose, and I could post a much stronger roster of players that McDavid could play with on the Canadian team.

Team Europe -- Kopitar deserves to play meaningful hockey in best-on-best. I could go on.

He already has, and no individual player deserves such a thing. It's also rather unfortunate that this isn't even a best on best tournament.

As much as we hate on it now, I think deep down people know the hockey will be an extremely high level.

It very well may be. That doesn't excuse what this tournament is and what it has the potential to do.

We are battered spouses... We let them do whatever they want and keep coming back. Just don't take our Olympics !!

Not quite. I hate what they did to this once great tournament regardless of the Olympics. If they ruin the Olympic tournament, then that just makes it worse. I won't watch this tournament, but I will tune into the NHL once the regular season starts.