[Rumour] Giordano and Brodie not expected to play in World Championships

[Fire of the Phoenix]

I can see what he's saying. It's still best on best, the talent is just dispersed differently. If anything there is more talent than an Olympics because there is a U23 team. It will be filled with players that are world class, but in previous years may have been left off entirely due to the depth of the home country.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Huh, the World Cup is definitely best on best. The World Championship is more of a B tournament. Myself I'll watch both tournaments.

I think it divides the real hockey fans from the pretenders. Kind of like when somebody makes up rules on who is a real car guy or not. This last one aimed at Pylon and his ilk more than you.

Not with the young team in place - that means neither the U.S. or Canada will be dressing their absolute best lineup. It isn't best on best.

I have no idea what your last paragraph is about. Nothing better than when someone arbitrary decides what a "real fan" is. And then you add a little potshot at Pylon for no reason at all to boot. WTF? Why you heff to be mad?

[PeteMoss]

I suspect Brodie has a bit of a lingering injury. His play has slowed a bit towards the end of the year.

And I really hope the Team Canada management isn't using this tournament on big ice to judge anything for the World Cup played on NHL ice. Its a different game.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

I suspect Brodie has a bit of a lingering injury. His play has slowed a bit towards the end of the year.

Yeah he did miss a few games and then come back so maybe that same injury is bothering him still but he was cleared to play.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Not with the young team in place - that means neither the U.S. or Canada will be dressing their absolute best lineup. It isn't best on best.

I have no idea what your last paragraph is about. Nothing better than when someone arbitrary decides what a "real fan" is. And then you add a little potshot at Pylon for no reason at all to boot. WTF? Why you heff to be mad?

I was thinking you were confused with the two tourneys. As for your best on best rationalization, you're just splitting hairs. I doubt if there is more than one or two players each on either the Canadian or American teams that might be missed. I like the idea of the Under 23 team myself.

As for the Pylon reference, he likes to arbitrarily make rules on who is a real car guy, so I was taking a shot at him not being a real hockey fan. So it was kind of tongue in cheek since it made about as much sense.

[Vulcan]

With the Under 23s it's still best on best, just new parameters. The best under 23 team from NA. I'm supposed to be the old fart around here but I guess there's a few younger fellows who can't handle a little change.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

With the Under 23s it's still best on best, just new parameters. The best under 23 team from NA. I'm supposed to be the old fart around here but I guess there's a few younger fellows who can't handle a little change.

Geez man, people can disagree without having to subjected to your little pot shots.
I don't like the change because it muddies the water. The idea of this tourneys is that each nation dresses their best team. Now we have this weird team that is a mix of countries. It is weird, and lessons my excitement for the tourney because it feels gimmicky.

Doesn't make me less of a fan. Doesn't mean I can't handle change. Just means I have a different viewpoint than you.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Geez man, people can disagree without having to subjected to your little pot shots.
I don't like the change because it muddies the water. The idea of this tourneys is that each nation dresses their best team. Now we have this weird team that is a mix of countries. It is weird, and lessons my excitement for the tourney because it feels gimmicky.

Doesn't make me less of a fan. Doesn't mean I can't handle change. Just means I have a different viewpoint than you.

Ideas change.

I already said the real fan thing was tongue in cheek and not aimed at you.

[GirlySports]

It means nothing for future selections.

Shane Doan went to about 6 in a row and they still snubbed him in 2010

[Calgary4LIfe]

It doesn't matter what tournament it is, I enjoy watching it and I am sure it is not a meaningless tournament for any of the people involved with the tournament, or the fans. It is only meaningless to the people who don't care about it.

With that being said, I am 100% ok with players opting out of it too. The NHL season is a long grind. I don't think less of anyone that doesn't go. I will still watch as many games as possible - for any tournament - however meaningless it may be for some people.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

As for the Pylon reference, he likes to arbitrarily make rules on who is a real car guy, so I was taking a shot at him not being a real hockey fan. So it was kind of tongue in cheek since it made about as much sense.

What in gods green earth are you going on about?

When have I ever called out someone for not being a 'car guy? Tastes in cars are like tastes in women. Everyone has their own taste.

Crap, I get car boners for some really stupid, lame cars. I'm the last guy to call out anyone on their taste in cars.

Anyway, what a weird call out. I always pump people's tires about their rides, no matter what they are. (Ok maybe not minivans...lol)

Anyway, back on topic. Just seemed like an odd rant.

[getbak]

Besides Johnny, which players from Team North America would likely make their national team anyway?

I don't think any of the Canadians would. Would Eichel, Saad, or Jones?



Personally, I'm looking forward to the World Cup because of the mish-mash teams. North America and Europe should both be competitive teams. Much more so than if the last two teams were Slovakia and Switzerland. Can you really call it a best-on-best tournament if there's a team playing that has Hiller and Berra as its top two goalies?

I'd rather watch a team that has Anze Kopitar on it than one that has the ninth-best Slovakian forward in the world, whoever that might be.