World Cup Boycott
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Those are mostly sour grapes because of small ice, NHL refs (who are perceived to favor the NA teams), etc etc. The key factor here is that they're being based on results already seen - practically what ifs on how things should be done for Euro squads to fare better.
This time, the difference is that these complaints are about things we can all agree are shoddy before even a single game has been played. A case in point - they do not lead to the usual "World Cup favors North Americans - WHC favors Europeans - the Olympics favor whoever" tug-of-war.
I told you my point. To many Europeans (and others), a World Cup that is invitational, limited to 6-8 national teams, and only held whenever the organizer(s) can be bothered to stage the thing, is not "constructed properly" to begin with, regardless of what players show up.
As I said up thread, if the NHL (and PA), had some sort of qualifying system (that isn't "does your country have at least 20 guys under NHL contract"), maybe increased the field a bit, held it at regular intervals, and perhaps had some sort of defined bidding process to host the thing, I think a lot less Euros would have a problem with the fact it is the NHL who runs it. Would some still complain? Sure, but I bet it would be a whole lot less.
Ya, not that is actually matters what I think, but as I said before, I'm fine with the "big" international tournament being something other than the Olympics. If done "right" I would prefer it over the Olympics, but if leaving the Olympics means we are left with just the IIHF WC and the NHL WCup as they currently exist or have existed in the past... No thanks.
tony d
New poll series coming from me in June
Don Corleone
Registered User
- Jul 9, 2013
- 709
- 1
I see a bunch of people dissing the tournament because it is not a "real" international tournament and that is basically the only argument that is thrown around here. So because of that logic a very watered down World Championship is better simply due to it being "real". Why does that matter in the first place, really why cos I dont get it? Even if this ended up being the most competitive tournament in hockey history the boo birds would say that it was crap because it was not a "real" international tournament.
To me that is incredibly backwards. Is it not the purpose of hockey to just entertain the viewer, I mean lets call it what it is entertainment. You may be a casual fan a hardcore fan or whatever but if you are not entertained by the sport then you wont watch it. So now for the first time ever there is a unique tournament that promises to be possibly the most entertaining tournament ever put together but some feel that it sucks and it is not worth watching because it does not meet someones rule book of how a tournament should be constructed, unbelievable. People really seem to try their best not to like the tournament and come up with the most imaginative reasons for not liking it. However I am sure that once the games start and you see that surprise surprise it is better than any other tournament, like who saw that coming, most will change their minds real quick.
To me that is incredibly backwards. Is it not the purpose of hockey to just entertain the viewer, I mean lets call it what it is entertainment. You may be a casual fan a hardcore fan or whatever but if you are not entertained by the sport then you wont watch it. So now for the first time ever there is a unique tournament that promises to be possibly the most entertaining tournament ever put together but some feel that it sucks and it is not worth watching because it does not meet someones rule book of how a tournament should be constructed, unbelievable. People really seem to try their best not to like the tournament and come up with the most imaginative reasons for not liking it. However I am sure that once the games start and you see that surprise surprise it is better than any other tournament, like who saw that coming, most will change their minds real quick.
JackSlater
Registered User
- Apr 27, 2010
- 19,800
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Yes I know all that, those fans explain it themselves repeatedly. I don't understand your point in terms of why you bothered quoting me and telling me this information, but it doesn't really matter I suppose.
Oh I agree completely. I have defended the Canada/World Cup in the past, and I will continue to defend the other editions of the tournament, but this edition is indefensible.
BayStreetBully
Registered User
Speaking for myself, I don't like how the NHL wants to potentially use the World Cup as a reason to back out of the Olympics. If the NHL comes out today and tells us they are going to 2018 and 2022, then I can appreciate the World Cup for what it is- entertainment.
Until then, why should I care about a tournament that is being used to potentially replace the Olympics? No thanks, not interested.
Don Corleone
Registered User
- Jul 9, 2013
- 709
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Who will be rooting for the fake teams? When they score who is exactly standing up in joy?
These teams will make the atmosphere like an All-star game. Fans sitting and watching and maybe a clap here and there.
Gary Bettman ruined the whole tournament with this idea of fake teams in the world cup.
BayStreetBully
Registered User
For some of us, the charm indeed comes from watching national teams square against other national teams.
And what comes to sacrificing some NTs and replacing them with gimmicks for added "competitiviness" and "quality of play", you realize that this is basically a slippery slope argument, right? As in, why stop half way? If the quality of play is all that matters, isn't the ultimate tournament eight collection teams, with absolute best players - borders be damned? Now things are kind of stopped half way. Those who like "true" international hockey are of course fuming, but why should you seeing the potential in this be sated? Don't you should be wondering why didn't they make the teams even more competitive?
I do wonder if most of the people defending this tournament would still be of the mind if their country wasn't in it, but being replaced with some collection team or other. If that is the case with any of you, allow me to tell you that that is incredibly selfish - and hypocritical.
I don't keep track of the interactions and discussions you have with other posters, in other threads, on this board, so I dunno... I guess I apologize for telling you something that has already been told to you repeatedly.
In the first post I quoted you made it sound as if people who object to the WCup do so for no other reason than the IIHF's name isn't on it, when it is obviously more nuanced than that. Perhaps I misunderstood.
Ok please everyone let's stay on topic this thread is about who is boycotting, if you're not, say "I'm not" and get out, don't turn this thread into the 50th thread on hf that started about something meaningful and just ended in a catfight about is this tournament meaningful.
For the people who don't like the tournament but are hockey starved, or just really really like hockey, there are 3 tiers of boycott, and we all choose according to what we're capable of.
Tier 1 is for people who simply couldn't care less, don't put any time, any resources towards it, don't watch it, don't buy any merchandise, ignore it completely basically.
Tier 2 is for strong fans out there, you love your country, you have to at least watch the games. Hook up your computer to your TV, find a semi-legal (sshhh) online streaming service and watch it through there, that way you can see the game and not contribute to TV ratings.
Tier 3 is for diehards and hardcover team Canada who hate the format of the tournament but you always go, you always have gone to anything team Canada, and that won't change, well that's perfectly fine too. You can go to the game, wear your favorite old team Canada jersey, eat at a restaurant before or after to avoid buying concessions, get your beer at the restaurant, don't buy the overpriced gift shop items or the apparel, and have a good time. This is great too because perhaps you're taking the spot of a would be spender, and you're saving yourself money as well and contributing to the local economy.
For the people who don't like the tournament but are hockey starved, or just really really like hockey, there are 3 tiers of boycott, and we all choose according to what we're capable of.
Tier 1 is for people who simply couldn't care less, don't put any time, any resources towards it, don't watch it, don't buy any merchandise, ignore it completely basically.
Tier 2 is for strong fans out there, you love your country, you have to at least watch the games. Hook up your computer to your TV, find a semi-legal (sshhh) online streaming service and watch it through there, that way you can see the game and not contribute to TV ratings.
Tier 3 is for diehards and hardcover team Canada who hate the format of the tournament but you always go, you always have gone to anything team Canada, and that won't change, well that's perfectly fine too. You can go to the game, wear your favorite old team Canada jersey, eat at a restaurant before or after to avoid buying concessions, get your beer at the restaurant, don't buy the overpriced gift shop items or the apparel, and have a good time. This is great too because perhaps you're taking the spot of a would be spender, and you're saving yourself money as well and contributing to the local economy.
JackSlater
Registered User
- Apr 27, 2010
- 19,800
- 15,455
It is funny that the Olympic tournaments since 1998 have not been followed by complaints about competitiveness, but once Bettman claims that it's an issue, posters begin mindlessly parroting what the NHL told them to think. Also, as you say, why not eliminate more teams that trap, since that style is an issue for so many, like the Czechs and Finns? Canada played conservative, boring hockey at the 2014 Olympics - get rid of Canada and make a super team. Your suggestion of eight randomly generated, even teams is clearly what Bettman and the defenders of the World Cup prefer. Perhaps the 2020 World Cup can be played with no national teams, to the satisfaction of many.
I would rather say the NHL could use the profit made from World Cup to be more benevolent and it could cover the potential loss of olympic tournament, or at the very least they could use WC as a tool for negotiation with IOC. I personally doubt the NHL won't go to Korea and then China.
Are you kidding? I hope the NA team with McDavid beats all the european teams and mainly put on a great effort and performance. Just to watch McDavid to show himself against Russia and Sweden will be amazing, let alone other talents like Monahan, Gaudreau, Ekblad, maybe Matthews, etc. I will certainly be rooting for them. Team Europe is gonna be be something incredible for me to watch.
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Then it makes little sense for you to boycott so don't boycott. If you change your mind consider the 3 tiers. We've had enough threads on is this tournament meaningful, you can go to the thread Bear12Gold just started and do beef there.
Yep.
There is absolutely NO DOUBT that the World Cup has the potential to have all games sold out, which tells you something. I wouldn't be even afraid to say that majority of people on HF actually positively care about this tournament. Remember that negative opinions seem to be always louder, but they just get attention.
Rob
Registered User
Good plan. The game is going to be sold out regardless if I go or not. I could rationalize it that way.
BayStreetBully
Registered User
Sure they *could*, but I can see the writing on the wall with how the NHL has acted since about 2011. They don't intend to make the decision easy. They might decide not to go to the Olympics at all, given their attitude so far. And if the NHL does intend to go, they will again decide a year before.
If the NHL wanted to do what you suggest, they can always say so. If the NHL wanted to commit to the Olympics today, they are free to do so. But of course they want to negotiate with the IOC until the last minute to get concessions out of them, which is their right.
It sucks that they can't make up their mind until the last minute, and it sucks that the fans have to deal with this "will they or won't they" every 4 years.
QnebO
Wheel, snipe, celly
- Feb 11, 2010
- 9,763
- 644
Same kind of problem here. I will probably complain but watch anyway, it's my right as a fan. I complain that you are doing it wrong but im watching it anyway to see hockey. It actually does make sense. It's like giving feedback how to make world cup better.
But of course I will skip the gimmick team games. And not stay up @ mid week, as the games will be played at the time polar opposite of prime time, I guess, starting like 3am.
Any Colour You Like
Regular bean eater
Team Some of Europe and the Young Guns Squad are stupid, but that's not motivating me to abstain from watching. I just don't give a ****.
Frank the Tank
The Godfather
Counter argument - why should the NHL continue to send their best players to play in locations that are determined solely by the IOC with no input from any of the sports federations (e.g., IIHF) or the professional leagues that pay the players (e.g., NHL)? The 2022 Winter Olympics bid process really pulled back the curtain on the IOC's rampant corruption and how they select locations based on how many of their exorbitant demands the host city/nation is willing to meet. Losing hockey at future Olympics is something the IOC is accomplishing quite well themselves, and why blame the NHL/NHLPA for looking at other potential options? The NHLPA's involvement should not be over-looked because they players are the ones who will ultimately decide the fate of international best-on-best hockey.
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