Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
Most NHLers have clauses in their contract that they're not allowed to do stuff like snowboard and play basketball in the off-season for just this reason. Their employers have invested millions in them.
How old are you? Because I can remember the Canada Cup and World Cup, and there was just as much hype among hockey fans and players. It was the only best-on-best tournament in the world, and every player knew it. Fans and commentators speculated for months about who would be on the rosters. Players were absolutely jacked. The quality of play was fantastic. In fact, it was better hockey than the Olympics because there were no weak-sister teams. Just the top six countries in the world. Also, a best-of-three finals beats the crap out of a single-game.
If the World Cup is restored as the best-on-best tournament in hockey, it will have every bit as much credibility and prestige in the eyes of the players as the Olympics do now. And more than an Olympics without NHL players would have. And that doesn't just go for North American players.
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I too remember the Canada Cup - and loved it.
However, this statement perfectly summarizes the debate IMO. Yes, a Canada Cup/World Cup tournament is equally as awesome
among hockey fans,
but the Olympics have that, AND they bring everyone else into the fold.
There simply is no comparison: Olympics = everything a World Cup/Canada Cup can be PLUS it's the Olympics (meaning millions of other people are also watching)