May 27 - World Cup final roster announcements - Nakladal and Jokipakka named to teams

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by RyZ

For me, Hamilton not making the U23 team was a bigger surprise than Gio or Brodie not making team Canada. Dougie was the 2nd highest scoring eligible Dman for that team (behind only Ghost) and really came on at the end of the season. His defensive game is no worse than the other Dmen on that squad and he's 6'5 and can skate with the big guys. That u-23 D core has 20 pt Dmen on it. Seems silly to leave the 40+ pt guy with similar credentials at home.

That snub reeks of Chiarelli salt and bitterness over not being able to aquire him at the draft last season mixed with the desire to keep a general Canada/USA split on the roster and the fact that Chia didn't want more Flames than Oilers on the team. Garbage either way.

Stan Bowman has no say as Co-GM?

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Stan Bowman has no say as Co-GM?

If the #1 guy *might* be actively pushing against it, it probably doesnt matter much what the #2 guy thinks.

[Weitz]

I never heard it was 1 and 2 but they were both co-GM's. Maybe I was wrong.

I don't know why Chia would hold anything over Hamilton when he would be upset with Sweeney.

[Geeoff]

I have a feeling that Team North America is the only one that will give a damn. I'm firmly behind them, especially because they have Johnny and Sean.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by TheCommodoreAfro

Now this could be fun. John Scott wants to head up a team featuring the snubs for Team USA, Team Canada and Team Europe. Thinking about it it's likely they'd be able to compete for a medal. Half of Calgary's D along with Subban likely first picks on the backend.

What on earth? John Scott attends an All Star game as a farcical write-in candidate, and now thinks he has been "snubbed" by the World Cup teams? Who does he think he is?

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

What on earth? John Scott attends an All Star game as a farcical write-in candidate, and now thinks he has been "snubbed" by the World Cup teams? Who does he think he is?

A comedian?

[CroFlames]

That is bloody brilliant.

John Scott as Captain, naturally.

[CliffFletcher]

I'm curious why people think the players will care less about this tournament than about the Olympics. Gretzky, Federov, Sundin, etc. played just as hard at the Canada/World Cups as they did at the Olympics.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I'm curious why people think the players will care less about this tournament than about the Olympics. Gretzky, Federov, Sundin, etc. played just as hard at the Canada/World Cups as they did at the Olympics.

Yeah the Canada Cups were some of the best hockey games ever played. Of course at the time there were no pros in the Olympics so it was the only best on best tournament out there. Maybe that changes things?

[Textcritic]

^
I don't think so. These are elite level professional athletes who achieved that status by being ultra competitive. This is a chance to compete. They will all get up for it.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Yeah the Canada Cups were some of the best hockey games ever played. Of course at the time there were no pros in the Olympics so it was the only best on best tournament out there. Maybe that changes things?

I think it does. If the NHL had been sending players to the Olympics at the time, I think people's tunes would be changing.

The first winter Olympics I was ever able to really watch and pay attention to was Nagano. To me, if the Olympics are going to claim to be the height of athletic competition, they have to have the best athletes in every sport. And conversely, if someone wants to be a "World Champion" at anything, they should have a gold medal around their neck, in a competition where they competed against other people's nations while representing their own.

Do you think the players want Olympic medals vs a trash can trophy and some made up "World Cup*" medals?

* This competition may or may not include the world.

It's like baseball calling their championship the "World Series". Really? Wheres the Cuban team? The Japanese team? The Korean team?

[Mister Yamoto]

I hope this event is a big success and becomes what the Canada Cups were in the 80's. I never have liked the idea of NHLers in the Olympics and frankly I don't understand why hockey fans are so willing to put up with the IOC and all of their crap.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I'm curious why people think the players will care less about this tournament than about the Olympics. Gretzky, Federov, Sundin, etc. played just as hard at the Canada/World Cups as they did at the Olympics.

I think it's different now as the Canada Cup was at a time when Russians weren't playing in the NHL and beating them for hockey supremacy was very important to the players and the country. I felt the 1996 World Cup was somewhat exhibition quality myself. 2004 was that lockout year so it's hard to gauge but I generally don't believe this tournament means as much to a lot of the players compared to the NHL, Olympics, or World Championships.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

I hope this event is a big success and becomes what the Canada Cups were in the 80's. I never have liked the idea of NHLers in the Olympics and frankly I don't understand why hockey fans are so willing to put up with the IOC and all of their crap.

What crap exactly do I put up with from the IOC for preferring that the best on best tournament occurs at the same time as best on best tournaments for other sports.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by TheCommodoreAfro

Now this could be fun. John Scott wants to head up a team featuring the snubs for Team USA, Team Canada and Team Europe. Thinking about it it's likely they'd be able to compete for a medal. Half of Calgary's D along with Subban likely first picks on the backend.

I would cheer for that team!

If you're going to make the thing a Circus Sideshow dont half-ass it! Lets shoehorn the hockey equivalent of the Harlem Globetrotters and Washington Generals in there too!

[Mister Yamoto]

Originally Posted by Weitz

What crap exactly do I put up with from the IOC for preferring that the best on best tournament occurs at the same time as best on best tournaments for other sports.

Disqualifying Nik Backstrom 2 hours before the gold medal game for having 1.4 times the legal amount of cough syrup is something that I would call a bunch of crap. Canadian fans oddly didn't seem to have much of an issue with it.

The IOC and their rules can go suck an egg. And don't even get me started on the officiating or the politics.

[jg13]

Via LeBrun: Ryan Callahan to miss World Cup of Hockey (Team USA) after hip surgery. Out 5 months.

Opens the door for Kessel, hopefully he shuts them down

[EVERLAST]

I think team north America is going to walk away uncontested. Wow some awesome players

[gallione11]

ESPN teams announced for the US coverage. Leah Hextall is part of it.

Levy & Melrose to Call All Team USA Games, Semifinals & Finals
Hull, Chelios, John Saunders, John Buccigross & Adnan Virk the Studio Team
Buccigross, Kevin Weekes to Cover Remaining Games
Leah Hextall Ice-level Reporter
Linda Cohn Feature Reporter

A little disappointed they didn't get Gary Thorne back, but I guess his job with the Orioles takes precedence.

http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-re...udio-analysts/

[sureLoss]

Russia has acknowledged that Voynov is ineligible for the World Cup, will be allowed to name a replacement.

http://www.tsn.ca/russia-s-voynov-in...d-cup-1.528387