[Rumour] 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by codynw

Too bad it's still a big gimmick.

If we get a couple weeks of great hockey out of it who cares, don't really understand why people are so offended by this tournament.

Olympics are still the prime event but I am not going to turn down best on best hockey.

And if a Team Europe, and Team U-23 means I get to watch more of the top players playing then it's all good.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

If we get a couple weeks of great hockey out of it who cares, don't really understand why people are so offended by this tournament.

Olympics are still the prime event but I am not going to turn down best on best hockey.

And if a Team Europe, and Team U-23 means I get to watch more of the top players playing then it's all good.

world cup=no NHL at the olympics

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Astounding levels of money for a 2 week tourney. Awesome stuff.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl-nhlpa-project-...ockey-1.363970

This is why it was dumb to go to the Olympics in the first place.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by dino7c

world cup=no NHL at the olympics

Not necessarily, this will be staggered with the Olympic years so they could still go.

Friedman (maybe Duhatchek?) was on the Fan960 not long ago and said that it is the overwhelming majority of players that want to play in the Olympics, and that guys like Ovie have already said they will go regardless.

I still believe there will be NHL at the Olympics.

[Zarley]

I have zero excitement for this contrived gimmick.

[MissTeeks]

I just hope they give out a different trophy. The 2006 one was awful!

[browna]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Astounding levels of money for a 2 week tourney. Awesome stuff.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl-nhlpa-project-...ockey-1.363970

As I said at the time, this is simply a cash cow. With only one venue it means less logistics, less flights shuffling teams all over the country or Europe as was in 2004 and that means less costs. It also means less costs for TV productions which translates into Snet paying more for the rights. More directed marketing towards sponsors since it will be all in the Toronto market and made for TV.

It's also why there are no complaints about teams missing their stars or players on the fence about playing.

[Da_Chief]

To those STILL complaining about this tourny. It's happening so get over it. Few of you not watching it will not effect anything.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

To those STILL complaining about this tourny. It's happening so get over it. Few of you not watching it will not effect anything.

Let's not kid ourselves - everyone posting here is going to watch.

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

I just hope they give out a different trophy. The 2006 one was awful!

Mario doesn't even look like he likes it. lol almost a forced smile.

[Coach]

He's afraid it's going to pop. "Is this inflatable?"

I hope they make Toews captain for Canada and skip the Crosby circle-jerk that even he loathes.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Zarley

I have zero excitement for this contrived gimmick.

I'm not excited for it, and yes it's a gimmick, and yes they are trying to build it up to be more than it is, and yes it's a money grab by the NHL.

But it'll be good hockey around the time training camps are being held. Would I rather watch training camps or this tourney? Plus, it would be fun to watch the U23's win it and have guys like Ovi, Crosby & Stammer be like wtf just happened? Could potentially set up some nice bad blood for the upcoming season too if there are some scuffles during the tourney.

I'm watching this tourney, although I say again, I'm not "excited" about it in the way I'm excited about a new NHL season or NHL playoffs. But good hockey is good hockey.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by flamesfan1297

Mario doesn't even look like he likes it. lol almost a forced smile.

It looks like the face you'd make when your grandmother gives you a new sweater for Christmas.

[Tacopuck]

I'm all for more hockey on TV (ESPECIALLY in September) however i cant get behind this being called the 'World Cup' of Hockey. If it was truly the world cup each country would have the ability to ice their best possible team, not their best possible team less people under the age of 23. Additionally the idea of the European team bothers me, especially when good teams (ie Switzerland & Slovakia with HM's going out to Norway & Denmark) have to join together and dont get to play for their country. I understand that we cant let all European teams as they wont be able to ice a realistically competitive team but it takes away from the idea of it being an International tournament (in the sense you are playing for YOUR country).

That being said come Sept 2016 i will be so starved for any hockey that I will watch this.....

[polak]

It'll be NHL level hockey so I'll still watch but doesn't change that it's a big joke. I definitely won't be planning my day around it. The reason that I think most people are still so pissed about this gimmick is that the potential for an unreal tournament is there. We could have something like the world cup is to soccer but instead we have an allstar game equivalent to international tournaments.

Luckily, I don't think there's a chance that the NHL won't be going to the Olympics. The players want it too much.

[Enoch Root]

I'll definitely watch it. In fact, I'll be looking forward to it.

But that doesn't make it a replacement for the Olympics.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I'll definitely watch it. In fact, I'll be looking forward to it.

But that doesn't make it a replacement for the Olympics.

What was the replacement for the Olympics pre-1998?

[Calgary4LIfe]

I, for one, will always be looking forward to it. It is still pretty much 'best on best' anyways, and hey - it is hockey! Heck, at that time, I will watch just about any hockey at any level available. Go ahead, stream your beer league games, and I may end up watching it by that time.

What I am looking forward to is the Euro-team. Lots of quality players that you would never see at the Olympics. Was hoping for additional players you never see at all in different countries, but at least guys like Kopitar have a chance to show up and play something on the international stage and help represent his country in a way. Will be something to see anyways, and that is better than nothing at all, regardless of how gimmicky it may or may not be.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

What was the replacement for the Olympics pre-1998?

there wasn't one - not sure what your point is here

[Senator Clay Davis]

I really don't think this will even approach half the quality of the Olympic tournament. Besides it being the biggest possible global stage for hockey (which I think brings out the best in players), is that when you have NHL players going over for the Olympics, its in February when they are in, quite literally, mid-season form. This tournament is going to be occurring after most players just spent 8 weeks off, mostly partying and doing dick all.

That doesn't mean the players aren't going to try, just we're going to get essentially pre-season level quality play and fitness levels from the players. I also doubt you see players laying it all on the line for this tournament like the Olympics, it simply isn't the same prize to win. I do think it will do fine on Canadian TV but will bomb on American TV where it has to compete against 3 levels of football (college, NFL, fantasy).