[News] NHL & PA: No World Cup of Hockey in 2024

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Itse

I don't see it what's complex and controversial here.

Just F Russia and be done with it. It's very simple and straightforward and pretty much everyone agrees they suck and shouldn't be involved.

The comparison to FIFA World Cup is also bad, because Brazil literally has to qualify each time just like every other country, and if they wouldn't qualify then too bad for Brazil, they'd just run the tournament without them.

Yeah, Italy won the Euro Cup and still didnt manage to qualify for the World Cup. Too bad, but the show must go on.

[monkeyman]

The only reason the NHL and the NHLPA want a World Cup of hockey is to make more money for the NHL and the Players. maybe they just realize, nobody cares right now and it likely won't make enough money to make it worth it.

[Shazam]

The what?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

The only reason the NHL and the NHLPA want a World Cup of hockey is to make more money for the NHL and the Players. maybe they just realize, nobody cares right now and it likely won't make enough money to make it worth it.

This is the most likely scenario, but unfortunately thats also pretty poor logic. If they want to grow it into something important that people actually care about they're going to probably have to take a few less profitable tournaments on the chin until its built up into something better.

Its folly to want something to be awesome immediately, its shortsighted thinking.

The only reason I brought up the FIFA World Cup was because its a vastly more important and complicated tournament with significantly more problems, concerns, logistics and moving pieces and they're making it work.

So it isnt a logistical problem, the NHL just dont want to put the time, effort, money and work into something that isnt going to move the profit needle the way they want it to.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Locke

Yeah, Italy won the Euro Cup and still didnt manage to qualify for the World Cup. Too bad, but the show must go on.

It’s important to note, if no other reason then the lols, that Italy has missed back to back world cups.

Now brace yourselves for all the Italians to defend their honor bUt We WoN eUrOs

[Itse]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

It’s important to note, if no other reason then the lols, that Italy has missed back to back world cups.

Now brace yourselves for all the Italians to defend their honor bUt We WoN eUrOs

To be fair, that's actually a really good defense.

[Geeoff]

I think the main issue is that Russia figures to be one of the best teams, so you'd have an * on the champion if they were unable to compete

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

I think the main issue is that Russia figures to be one of the best teams, so you'd have an * on the champion if they were unable to compete

Yes, that plus the fact that there are only a small number of legitimate threats. In soccer, there are 15 - 20 teams that legitimately could win it. If one or two of those teams don't qualify, so be it. It won't change the level of competition.

[Itse]

I doubt they care about asterisks on championships. Last time they even had made up teams like "Europe" and "North America" for funsies.

NHL cares about money. I'm guessing they don't like not having Russia in the tournament because from what I've understood, they draw good audiences when they're playing the NA teams.

No one would care much if Finland couldn't make it, despite them being a consistent medalist... unlike Russia.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by butterfly

I don't think injuries are part of it since they would always be a concern and wouldn't prevent it from being "feasible at this time".

I really hope the Russia thing isn't the problem again. Why not let them play? The NHL is okay but not the World Cup? They wouldn't even need any KHL players to form a team that could win.

Wasn't the original intent of the Canada Cup precisely to invite the Soviet Union to play hockey while their government was being mean and nasty?

I hope we're not waiting for worldwide political niceness before we can schedule a hockey tournament.

I'm fairly certain that the Russian war is the reason for canceling the tournament. Russia is obviously on everybody's #### list and pretty much banned on most, if not all, major sporting events. There is a big difference between NHL players born in Russia playing on North American teams under contracts, versus a tournament that would very clearly have the Russian flag represented and would rub most people the wrong way.

Rather than go through the entire ordeal of having a tournament without Russia, the league basically decided to say F it and avoid the conversation that goes with that decision. From a PR standpoint, it is easily the best decision.

FWIW I am not against banning Russian-born NHL players at all. But I would be extremely disappointed if Russia as a flag-bearing team was allowed to participate in this tournament. Sucks because I do enjoy watching their national hockey team, but it's the right choice to exclude them.

[Mr.Coffee]

it sucks the fans dont get cool / fun tournaments like this because of greed.

But that's the NHL.

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

it sucks the fans dont get cool / fun tournaments like this because of greed.

But that's the NHL.

Do fans really even care about tournaments like this??

[GioforPM]

I know the NHL/NHLPA run the tournament. But does Hockey Canada have any role in Canada's entry? That might be a factor.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I know the NHL/NHLPA run the tournament. But does Hockey Canada have any role in Canada's entry? That might be a factor.

Yes, I think each body picks the team, so Hockey Canada would be involved.

Was it the Olympics or World Cup that St.Louis got hurt feelings and wouldn't talk to Yzerman anymore and forced a trade from Tampa because he wasn't picked for the team. What a baby.

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I'm fairly certain that the Russian war is the reason for canceling the tournament. Russia is obviously on everybody's #### list and pretty much banned on most, if not all, major sporting events. There is a big difference between NHL players born in Russia playing on North American teams under contracts, versus a tournament that would very clearly have the Russian flag represented and would rub most people the wrong way.

Rather than go through the entire ordeal of having a tournament without Russia, the league basically decided to say F it and avoid the conversation that goes with that decision. From a PR standpoint, it is easily the best decision.

FWIW I am not against banning Russian-born NHL players at all. But I would be extremely disappointed if Russia as a flag-bearing team was allowed to participate in this tournament. Sucks because I do enjoy watching their national hockey team, but it's the right choice to exclude them.

If it is simply to do with their country name and flag, they could have a team with their logo as a photo of the Earth or something. Give them Draisaitl, Hischier, and Kopitar, and let them be a "rest of world team". Although, I suppose some people would think that's a gimmick.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by butterfly

If it is simply to do with their country name and flag, they could have a team with their logo as a photo of the Earth or something. Give them Draisaitl, Hischier, and Kopitar, and let them be a "rest of world team". Although, I suppose some people would think that's a gimmick.

It's funny when people think that's a gimmick and then mock the poor showing when countries with a couple stars but relatively few NHLers have to field a team on their own. It's less of a gimmick than a young stars team which was really just the NHL trying to get McDavid into the tournament.

[codynw]

I hate that this means we’ll probably never see a Canadian team with Crosby, MacKinnon and McDavid on it.

[undercoverbrother]

International Hockey is an embarrassment.

Is there another "World Wide" sport that doesn't have a World Cup or Best on Best tournament/competition?

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I'm fairly certain that the Russian war is the reason for canceling the tournament. Russia is obviously on everybody's #### list and pretty much banned on most, if not all, major sporting events. There is a big difference between NHL players born in Russia playing on North American teams under contracts, versus a tournament that would very clearly have the Russian flag represented and would rub most people the wrong way.

Rather than go through the entire ordeal of having a tournament without Russia, the league basically decided to say F it and avoid the conversation that goes with that decision. From a PR standpoint, it is easily the best decision.

FWIW I am not against banning Russian-born NHL players at all. But I would be extremely disappointed if Russia as a flag-bearing team was allowed to participate in this tournament. Sucks because I do enjoy watching their national hockey team, but it's the right choice to exclude them.

I honestly don’t get this line of thinking. This would’ve made the 72 Series impossible.

And the Miracle on Ice.

Or any of the great Canada/Russia moments.

There is value, culturally, in beating the big bad Russians in front of the world.

Unless we’re actually arguing that what Putin is doing in Ukraine is MORE offensive than what the Soviet Union was doing throughout the Cold War… but it’s not.

EDIT: Just realized who I was quoting, and of course it’s understandable that you have this position - not even saying you’re wrong. Only that there’s value in taking the opportunity to punch the Russians in the nose when it presents itself.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by Locke

This is the most likely scenario, but unfortunately thats also pretty poor logic. If they want to grow it into something important that people actually care about they're going to probably have to take a few less profitable tournaments on the chin until its built up into something better.

Its folly to want something to be awesome immediately, its shortsighted thinking.

The only reason I brought up the FIFA World Cup was because its a vastly more important and complicated tournament with significantly more problems, concerns, logistics and moving pieces and they're making it work.

So it isnt a logistical problem, the NHL just dont want to put the time, effort, money and work into something that isnt going to move the profit needle the way they want it to.

I agree with this. Unfortunately, I wonder if they ever get there. It feels like the horses have left the barn so to speak. The mystique that countries like Russia once had is no longer there and the players don't seem to care about this tournament, which makes it hard for the fans to care. Perhaps the worst decision the NHL ever made was participation in the Olympics. It filled the desire of best on best in a tournament that actually meant something. Now they're trying to stuff that Genie back into the bottle.