2016 World Cup of Hockey

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I hate the idea of this coming on the heels of a bad season where injuries/confusion cost the Flames. The team needs focus. This increases the odds for injuries, and keeps the team from practicing together until the eve of the season. Can you imagine losing Brodie or Gaudreau to some fluke injury in a meaningless tournament?

IIRC it helped Iginla when he was called to the summer tryouts as a replacement for the 02 Olympics. His career took off after that. A player such as Brodie getting the recognition he deserves could also help his career.

[hockey.modern]

THN has 4 Flames making the U23 North American team.

http://m.thn.com/blog/projected-worl...north-america/

Johnny Gaudreau

Sam Bennett

Sean Monahan

Dougie Hamilton

[getbak]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

From the Flames, likely going:

Monahan
Gaudreau
Hamilton
Giordano
Brodie
Hudler?

I believe the Czechs got rid of the guy who had a grudge against Hudler, so he'll probably make it this time. Frolik should also be on the Czech team. I'd say there's probably a good chance Nakladal gets named to the Czech team too (probably at the expense of Smid).

Backlund was close to making the Swedish Olympic team two years ago, and he's having a good year so far. He should be in the discussion again.

Granlund probably has an outside chance of making the Finnish team.

Hiller could be one of the World team's goalies. They don't have a lot to choose from. Halak, Greiss, and Andersen will probably beat him out, but if he finishes strong, he might get considered.

Bennett is likely a bubble guy for Team NA.

[iggnuef]

Originally Posted by Fire

If Team NA U-23 win the World Cup are they going to play all 41 national anthems?

No because there isn't 41 countries in North America.

[TheOnlyBilko]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Spector keeps Dougie off the list in favor of Parenko, Ceci, Murray. What garbage

Yup and he has Morgan Rielly on 1st pairing lol. Put Hamilton on 1st pairing for me with Ekblad. Now those are some twin towers together!

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by TheOnlyBilko

Yup and he has Morgan Rielly on 1st pairing lol. Put Hamilton on 1st pairing for me with Ekblad. Now those are some twin towers together!

No, Morgan Rielly will be on the first pairing. I don't see that as being contentious at all. Leaf or not, he's a heck of a player.

[TheOnlyBilko]

Originally Posted by Fire

If Team NA U-23 win the World Cup are they going to play all 41 national anthems?

No they will play Nellie Furtados rendition of oh canada

[TheOnlyBilko]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

No, Morgan Rielly will be on the first pairing. I don't see that as being contentious at all. Leaf or not, he's a heck of a player.

We will see I guess. I still would take Dougie over Morgan.

Edit- but i guess Dougie and Aaron shoot the same hand so they can't be a pairing anyways. This is why Rielly gets 1st pairing.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Gaudreau on a line with Mcdavid and MacKinnon? That should be unstoppable. I'd even go so far to suggest it's borderline unfair.

Can't wait to watch this, lol.

Go U23s!

Simply as a fan of the sport, I don't see how a person can't be excited about this.

Johnny Gaudreau is going to play with Connor McDavid. Outside of the All Star game, this is never going to happen again.

I could give a damn if Canada wins this, I'm all about team U23 - it's a novel concept. It's very comic book of them.

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Simply as a fan of the sport, I don't see how a person can't be excited about this.

Johnny Gaudreau is going to play with Connor McDavid. Outside of the All Star game, this is never going to happen again.

I could give a damn if Canada wins this, I'm all about team U23 - it's a novel concept. It's very comic book of them.

I agree - the more I have thought about this the more I think that everyone involved (the NHL, the TV networks, etc) will be taken aback by the fan following of the U23's.

The team will consist of some of the most creative and exciting players in hockey, and will see broad support from across North America as both US and Canadian fans will be cheering for them.

This team may help drive ratings more than any other!

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Fire

If Team NA U-23 win the World Cup are they going to play all 41 national anthems?

I'll be shocked if they win.

The Under-23's are probably going to be vying with the Czech Republic for worst team at the tournament.

If you look at the forward core, they have some scorers yes, but Sean Couturier is the only guy who plays over 2 minutes per game on the penalty kill. RNH would be second at a minute per game....

Their D lacks the top end of teams like Canada, Sweden, USA, and Rest of Europe.

Their goaltending isn't better than anyone's.

I can't see them putting up much of a fight against the contenders in this tourney.

I think Rest of Europe has a much better shot to win when it comes to the oddball teams.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by iggnuef

No because there isn't 41 countries in North America.

I could swear when I looked at wiki it said 41 countries, but apparently North America only has 23 recognized states (countries).

[Red Menace]

THN picks Hudler, Frolik and Smid(!) to make the Czech Team.
Nakladal on the bubble
old friend Cervenka on the team as well
http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/pr...zech-republic/

[Split98]

I'd be pretty disappointed not to see Brodie playing. Giordano as well, but especially Brodie.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Split98

I'd be pretty disappointed not to see Brodie playing. Giordano as well, but especially Brodie.

Are there people saying they won't? Missing one or the other would be pretty weak. Missing both would be just plain stupid.

[Weitz]

A week away from the initial 16 man roster has to be named.

Seems silly you have to announce your team this early.

[polak]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Simply as a fan of the sport, I don't see how a person can't be excited about this.

Johnny Gaudreau is going to play with Connor McDavid. Outside of the All Star game, this is never going to happen again.

I could give a damn if Canada wins this, I'm all about team U23 - it's a novel concept. It's very comic book of them.

This is why we're not excited. It's just a stupid gimmick like an all star game.

It's a joke because in this supposed "World Cup", teams aren't even able to play their best players. It's stupid, stupid, stupid.

[Red Menace]

I'm excited to see the best players in the world play....
I think the 23U team and the Euros is an interesting concept and helps increase the competitive balance of the tourney.
I'd rather see these 2 concept teams than a weak Slovakia and Switzerland squads with just a handful of stars.
Lots of Flames in play so it should be fun.
Have to to think Gaudreau, Monahan, Hamilton, Hudler, and Frolik are locks for their respective teams (despite Hudler's previous snub)
Giordano and Brodie are strong considerations
Backlund and Bennett have a decent chance.
Hiller, Smid and even Nakladal have an outside chance.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Weitz

A week away from the initial 16 man roster has to be named.

Seems silly you have to announce your team this early.

Is this just for marketing or are these 16 players guaranteed to make the team?

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by DJones

Is this just for marketing or are these 16 players guaranteed to make the team?

I think they are on the team outside of injuries.