[Rumour] 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto

[Yamer]

These players are professionals, and more importantly life-long competitors.

How amazing would it be for a team of under 23 year old players to say they beat Team Canada? You really don't think that would be motivation enough?

And this won't be played on the level of an All Star game. I am pretty confident in saying that.

I'm not fond of the idea of a young stars team. And while in principle the Euro Stars team is a better idea given the thinning of competition outside of the main 6 nations, I think that team will generate less cohesion than the NHL Under 23s.

I'll watch.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Yamer

These players are professionals, and more importantly life-long competitors.

How amazing would it be for a team of under 23 year old players to say they beat Team Canada? You really don't think that would be motivation enough?

And this won't be played on the level of an All Star game. I am pretty confident in saying that.

I'm not fond of the idea of a young stars team. And while in principle the Euro Stars team is a better idea given the thinning of competition outside of the main 6 nations, I think that team will generate less cohesion than the NHL Under 23s.

I'll watch.

Sure, but they won't really be beating Team Canada, they'll be beating Team Canada minus a some of their best young players, aka themselves.

[FireGilbert]

Of course I will be watching this tournament but there are so many things wrong with it and I don't see it living up to the excitement of the Olympics.

First, I agree with those posting about the under 23 team being silly. It has the look of an all star game gimmick and doesn't belong is something called a World Cup. Sure go ahead and have an under 23 World cup, I would watch that, but I'm not getting too interested in seeing if 21 year old North Americans can beat Finland.

Second, I don't understand the snubbing of Slovakia and Switzerland. Yes, they are not the biggest draws but both countries produce NHLers and are respectable internationally. I like the idea of a team making up the remainder of Europe though as this adds some much needed competition to the tournament. They should have gone with 10 teams. The 8 core teams are in automatically, there is a play in tournament between the European teams for the 9th spot, and the 10th team is the best players from the remaining countries. I also don't buy the argument about no time for a play in tournament, it couldn't have been too difficult to organise a quick elimination tournament in Europe right before the Cup starts.

Finally, I don't understand why all the games are in Toronto. Sure play the final and most games there but also spread them across Canada and the US. There are enough games for a few different cities to get a taste of international hockey and if travel is a concern just restrict the locations to either the East or West. Maybe Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, New York, Philly or Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, Denver, LA, San Jose as the hosts? It also seems more like a Canada Cup than World Cup because once again Canada is hosting. It is fine the revival is in Canada but if they really want this to be a world tournament they should have announced the next one for Europe in 2020.

[browna]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

...but if they really want this to be a world tournament they should have announced the next one for Europe in 2020.

The primary goal of this concoction is to make money. Full stop.

It's not about a "celebration of the game" or reaching untapped or undertapped markets in North America or in the world, or showcasing the product to a new demographic...it's all about maximizing profits, with a sidebar story of nationalism to get everyone interested. Instead of inviting a less marketable couple of up and coming hockey nations to fill the spots in the groups to properly balance, instead throw together a couple novelty teams. I am sure there were thoughts to have the Stanley Cup winner and the Leafs as the other two teams instead of the U23 and Team Euro; to be able, again, to maximize interest and thus profits, for all involved.

No travel, no logistics for games in other cities means a)convenience for TV and corporate sponsors and b) more importantly, less expenses incurred, which means more money for the league, the PA (to overlook the injury risk factor on both sides) and the promoters.

[Red Menace]

People seem to keep forgetting this is an NHL and NHLPA event, not an IIHF one.
They want it to be filled with NHL players, not players from Euro leagues. That is why they had to package the other Euro countries as none could ice a team of NHL players on their own. To even out the # of teams to 8 they had to come up with some other idea. I for one think the U24 team will be very interesting to watch. I am excited for this, should be great hockey.

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by browna

The primary goal of this concoction is to make money. Full stop...

That's the problem. I know it is all about the money but there should at least be a small attempt to market and grow hockey as part of the tournament. It is a very short term decision to take quick buck when some consideration needs to be taken for the long term future of the game.

Only fans of the 6 core nations will be invested while fans of the left out European teams will feel like I feel watching Graham DeLaet at the Presidents Cup. I'm happy a player I like is playing on an all star team but I have zero attachment to that team.

I would take this more seriously if seemed more like an international event happening every 4 years with some attempt to grow the game involved. At the moment we have the Toronto Cup that may happen again in 4, 8, or 12 years when the NHL and PA need some cash. I'm not getting excited.

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by Red Menace

People seem to keep forgetting this is an NHL and NHLPA event, not an IIHF one.
They want it to be filled with NHL players, not players from Euro leagues. That is why they had to package the other Euro countries as none could ice a team of NHL players on their own. To even out the # of teams to 8 they had to come up with some other idea. I for one think the U24 team will be very interesting to watch. I am excited for this, should be great hockey.

I completely understand your point and agree it will be great hockey. I think my problem is with the name World Cup though. I would be happier if this was called a NHL All Star Event and the NHL and IIHF were getting over their differences to plan a real World Cup. Something featuring 10 to 12 teams that could be hosted by Sweden, Finland, Latvia, and Russia for example.

That is all from me on this subject for now. As much as I am disappointed this tournament could have been so much more, I am still looking forward to the rare opportunity to cheer on Team Canada.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Sure, but they won't really be beating Team Canada, they'll be beating Team Canada minus a some of their best young players, aka themselves.

Maybe. Out of curiosity, which players right now would project to be on a primary Team Canada roster if not for their youth?

Nathan McKinnon
Connor McDavid
Aaron Ekblad
Dougie Hamilton
Sean Monahan
Ryan Johansen
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Jonathan Huberdeau
Ryan Strome
Morgan Rielly
Mark Scheifele


That's just a very quick cursory glance at rosters this morning, so I'm sure I'm missing or overlooking a handful. How many out of that limited group would be true contenders to make a Team Canada roster come September 2016? Maybe McKinnon (with a rebound season), McDavid, Ekblad, and Johansen...but I think that's a big maybe.

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

I think my problem is with the name World Cup though. I would be happier if this was called a NHL All Star Event and the NHL and IIHF were getting over their differences to plan a real World Cup. Something featuring 10 to 12 teams that could be hosted by Sweden, Finland, Latvia, and Russia for example.

This is actually part of what I like about it -- it's actually just good teams. Nobody enjoys watching the good teams rout Germany and Austria and Norway or whatever other bad teams they bring to the Olympics and World Championships. It's a tournament for the big boys only.

[Poe969]

but it's an all star game...it won't be all out or that intense. If Canada is playing the US and Johnny is going up the wing and Gio has a clear body check, do you think he'd make it? Do you think a guy like Webber is going to crush Forsberg in the corner? No, this is just a second all star game and it's pointless.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Poe969

but it's an all star game...it won't be all out or that intense...

I guess that remains to be seen. It's possible that there will be no intensity, but I suspect that with the media buildup and the inevitable surge of nationalism that will accompany it it could end up being a great tournament. It is certainly going to be much, MUCH better than just a traditional all star game.

[Yamer]

Past World Cups have been some quality hockey, I don't imagine that changes.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Yamer

Maybe. Out of curiosity, which players right now would project to be on a primary Team Canada roster if not for their youth?

Nathan McKinnon
Connor McDavid
Aaron Ekblad
Dougie Hamilton
Sean Monahan
Ryan Johansen
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Jonathan Huberdeau
Ryan Strome
Morgan Rielly
Mark Scheifele


That's just a very quick cursory glance at rosters this morning, so I'm sure I'm missing or overlooking a handful. How many out of that limited group would be true contenders to make a Team Canada roster come September 2016? Maybe McKinnon (with a rebound season), McDavid, Ekblad, and Johansen...but I think that's a big maybe.

Of your list there I could really only see the top 3 supplanting anyone. MacKinnon, McDavid, and Ekblad.

[bax]

Originally Posted by Poe969

but it's an all star game...it won't be all out or that intense. If Canada is playing the US and Johnny is going up the wing and Gio has a clear body check, do you think he'd make it? Do you think a guy like Webber is going to crush Forsberg in the corner? No, this is just a second all star game and it's pointless.

Whats the difference between that and any other international competition?

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by Yamer

Nathan McKinnon
Connor McDavid
Aaron Ekblad
Dougie Hamilton
Sean Monahan
Ryan Johansen
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Jonathan Huberdeau
Ryan Strome
Morgan Rielly
Mark Scheifele

Once you add guys like Gaudreau, Eichel, Trouba, Seth Jones, etc to that roster on the American side and that team could do better than some people think. If the Russians want to bring another half NHL, half KHL squad to the tourney these young guys are going to lay a lickin' on them.

[Poe969]

Well the Olympics are the most important as every player wants to make that team and does what they can to be there, Ovi flat out said that if the NHL wouldn't let players go there, he'd still go there. The worlds are a bit of a joke as only players on non playoff teams can go and a lot don't want to go. I see this as more of that type of tournament, one where guys would rather have a vacation or spend time with families.

In the past, the game was different. There weren't as many games in a season and the players weren't as worn out from playing 82 games and likely a playoff run. Players also weren't getting paid millions of dollars back then.

I'm sure this will be better than the average all star game but I wouldn't expect it to have close to the same kind of feel as the Olympics.

[CroFlames]

This tournament is a bit of a joke because of the made up U23 and Eurostars teams. I'll still watch it because it will still be good hockey, but gimmicky. For me anyways.

The Worlds should be the WC, and it should be held every 4 years instead of every year. And it should start the a week after the SCF. It's got a proper qualifying process, and all countries can try their luck at qualifying year over year. It's great to watch underdog countries play their hearts out.

This would solve the problem of the Olympics. NHLers wouldn't have to go, but we'd still have a best on best tournament because 100% of players would be available for selection. The Olympics is supposed to be for amateurs anyway.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Well the Olympics are the most important as every player wants to make that team and does what they can to be there, Ovi flat out said that if the NHL wouldn't let players go there, he'd still go there. The worlds are a bit of a joke as only players on non playoff teams can go and a lot don't want to go. I see this as more of that type of tournament, one where guys would rather have a vacation or spend time with families.

In the past, the game was different. There weren't as many games in a season and the players weren't as worn out from playing 82 games and likely a playoff run. Players also weren't getting paid millions of dollars back then.

I'm sure this will be better than the average all star game but I wouldn't expect it to have close to the same kind of feel as the Olympics.

Doesn't mean it isn't worth doing.

I remember the 2004 World Cup.

Wasn't the same as the 2002 Olympics but it was still a fun tournament that showcased some good talent.

[Red Menace]

This is going to be a high powered event with no soft games, when it comes down to the medal round it will be as good or better than any past Olympics or World Cups...can't believe anybody thinks this is a bad idea.

[Poe969]

I don't think it's a bad idea, I just don't think it'll be anywhere close to the Olympics or even the playoffs. Hockey is hockey and it's entertaining at most any level but this isn't going to be top tier hockey. It'll be fun and hopefully gets more people into the game but it won't be as great as some think it'll be.