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FireGilbert · 02-22-2014, 03:41 PM

More international hockey is needed. Four years apart just isn't enough especially when it doesn't even guarantee the top teams play each other. Canada and Sweden are the two best teams in the world but this is the first time they play each other in 12 years! NHL players should stay in the Olympics, there needs to be a world cup, and international teams need to play friendlies every year. My plan is as follows:

-Two weeks every year are put aside for international hockey. One week in September replaces part of the pre-season and one week in February replaces the All Start break. International teams would meet, practice and play two games in the week. For example, Canada could host Sweden and Finland one September, then in February play a home and home against the US, then next September travel to Europe to play the Czechs and Russians. Teams would be allowed an extended roster and these friendlies would be used as a tryout for the Olympics and World Cup.

-Every four years the September break is extended to two weeks for a World Cup. I don't mean a Canada cup or the first editions of the World Cup, as those tournaments pretty much guaranteed Canada got to the finals, but something like a Rugby or Soccer World Cup. There should be 16 to 20 teams with the Cup being held in a different location every four years. They could be rotated between North America, Northern Europe, and Eastern Europe for example.

-Every four years the February break is extended to two weeks for the Olympics. No explanation needed here, the tournament can remain the same with some adjustments to the format.

This would solve many issues with international hockey and grow the game. There would be a lot more of it with the best teams playing each other more often and the IIHF rankings would actually be accurate. As well it would be easier for teams to pick their best players and develop chemistry. Team Canada would be named every year and different lines/player combinations could be tried in the friendlies before picking Olympic and World Cup rosters.

02-22-2014, 03:41 PM	#15
FireGilbert Franchise Player Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Brisbane Exp:	More international hockey is needed. Four years apart just isn't enough especially when it doesn't even guarantee the top teams play each other. Canada and Sweden are the two best teams in the world but this is the first time they play each other in 12 years! NHL players should stay in the Olympics, there needs to be a world cup, and international teams need to play friendlies every year. My plan is as follows: -Two weeks every year are put aside for international hockey. One week in September replaces part of the pre-season and one week in February replaces the All Start break. International teams would meet, practice and play two games in the week. For example, Canada could host Sweden and Finland one September, then in February play a home and home against the US, then next September travel to Europe to play the Czechs and Russians. Teams would be allowed an extended roster and these friendlies would be used as a tryout for the Olympics and World Cup. -Every four years the September break is extended to two weeks for a World Cup. I don't mean a Canada cup or the first editions of the World Cup, as those tournaments pretty much guaranteed Canada got to the finals, but something like a Rugby or Soccer World Cup. There should be 16 to 20 teams with the Cup being held in a different location every four years. They could be rotated between North America, Northern Europe, and Eastern Europe for example. -Every four years the February break is extended to two weeks for the Olympics. No explanation needed here, the tournament can remain the same with some adjustments to the format. This would solve many issues with international hockey and grow the game. There would be a lot more of it with the best teams playing each other more often and the IIHF rankings would actually be accurate. As well it would be easier for teams to pick their best players and develop chemistry. Team Canada would be named every year and different lines/player combinations could be tried in the friendlies before picking Olympic and World Cup rosters.