Quote:
Originally Posted by Strange Brew
Good post. To give my 2 cents:
1) would you feel differently if it was called the Canada Cup?
2) Team Europe idea works really well in the Ryder Cup. The concept change for that competition worked perfectly. As for team NA, they are the most interesting team in the tournament
3) when can you do it?
4) no one likes to see players drop out. Of course the '72 series missed a lot of great players due to NHL/ WHA
I see your point in everything. I figure why not give it a chance and see how seriously the players take it? I remember the Canada Cups very fondly. Granted teams weren't in the Olympics then, but I have no issue with more international hockey.
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Great points. I feel everyone gets prickly discussing this mainly because of Team North America and Team Europe. Like you said, they're the teams generating the most interest. While very gimmicky, it's the most feasible way to ensure all the stars players get a chance to play in the tournament. It'd never work having all the B-list countries play in a qualifying round for the last couple spots, so that means some star players (Kopitar, Chara, Hossa) would never be eligible to make it. Also, longer term, it helps grows the game a bit in Europe when a smaller country has one star on Team Europe they can cheer for, and they actually have a chance to go farther than they otherwise would.