[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yes.

You have a 20 man roster (actually more), and there is room for a couple young guys. You want to give your future leaders a taste - a chance to play with the current leaders, and to experience the event, so that when it is their turn to lead the team, they are ready.

I always liked the way the Russians handled this. They would put their next young stars on a line together, play them together, and let them grow and develop and build chemistry together. Eventually, that young line would become the top line.

There is a lot more to building a team like this than just 'we need experienced checkers'. Fans want to see talent. And they want to see young, future stars. And there is a responsibility to the future, and future teams. There needs to be a continuity of purpose.

Instead, we choose a GM and coach, as a favour/reward, and let them pick their favorites. Completely ass-backwards, IMO.

I don't disagree that picking favorites is dumb. But I don't think they are developing guys for future tournaments either. This is probably a one off - look how long its been since the last similar tournament.