I don't begrudge the cash grab because, like you say, everything they do is a cash grab. It's a business and I'm willing to be cash-grabbed all the time and I'm fine with that, but...
This whole thing seems kind of pointless, or maybe frivolous, or something. It just doesn't seem like a serious tournament to anyone. Obviously I could be way off on that because I don't know what the participants are thinking, but that's just the vibe I get from it.
The Olympics are only a year and a half away and that's what (I think) most fans believe really counts.
It's sort of like the World Cup is an exhibition game, and the Olympics are the Stanley Cup Final.
When you have the worlds best players competing against each other, you get exciting hockey. Period. Why do you guys care if it's a publicity stunt, cash grab etc.
At the end of the day we're fans, and we want to be entertained, I could care less how it happens. And besides, this is also probably the highest talent level competition next to the olympics.
So if JG struggles/thrives with a different center during World Cup does that affect contract negotiations?
Reaching I know, but might generate some discussion.
I think it's hard to tell, regardless of whether he played with Monahan or not. I'm sure if he leads his team the the WC and gets named MVP that can't hurt his argument that he's an elite player. But poor performance among such an already elite group of players wouldn't necessarily imply the opposite.
Monahan not being there definitely reduces the interest level for me - was looking forward to him and Johnny playing against that level of competition.
I wonder if Johnny is starting to wonder about his own participation, with no contract and now his buddy not playing.
For me, the key word is compete. That doesn't exist at the all start game although I will say it did appear more this year with the 3 on 3 and the $1 mil prize money.
I grew up watching the Canada Cup and as pointless as that was, I clearly remember everyone I knew working our plans around the games to make sure we could watch and it was exciting.
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I grew up watching the Canada Cup and as pointless as that was, I clearly remember everyone I knew working our plans around the games to make sure we could watch and it was exciting.
So did I and it wasn't pointless. Well, it's a hockey tournament so it's all kind of pointless, but you know what I mean. Maybe.
The Canada Cup was a big deal because it was the only time to show Canadian hockey supremacy to the world.
It was the only chance to show those dirty commies — with their dry land training, five-man lines, stupid helmets, precision passing, godless heartache and dour facial expressions — who was boss. And Canada was boss! Almost all the time!
Barely beating the Russians and pounding the piss out of the West Germans was fun and it made us feel better as a nation during some hard times.
And in 1996 when it was called the World Cup, playing the Americans was seriously some of the most intense hockey I've ever seen. I actually cringed a little when the Flames drafted Tkachuk this year because I've never gotten over my hatred for his old man from that tournament even though he couldn't even beat up Claude Lemieux! And that we lost.
And then lost in the Olympics to Robert Effing Reichel
Point is, after all this angry rambling, that the World Cup seems lame, because of the Olympics. If there are no NHL players in the Olympics in two years, then a World Cup in 2020 will be a big deal.
All that being said, I will watch every minute of the World Cup.
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Last edited by RougeUnderoos; 09-03-2016 at 01:33 PM.
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I think it's hard to tell, regardless of whether he played with Monahan or not. I'm sure if he leads his team the the WC and gets named MVP that can't hurt his argument that he's an elite player. But poor performance among such an already elite group of players wouldn't necessarily imply the opposite.
That makes no sense.
Either the tournament is relevant to the contract negotiations or it isn't. That relevance isn't based on how he does.
The short answer is - it isn't relevant. Not in the slightest.
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When it was called the Canada Cup, it was a big deal! It was our cup and another nation had to try and take it away from us. Back then countries populations hated each other. Hockey was war between nations, especially with the CCCP/USSR. Players bled to win!
As decades past and walls fell most realized the people from the other countries are just like you and I. Its the governments that are messed up.
30 years ago if a Russian was around me I would want a gun close by. Today, I want a bottle of Vodka around me, actually a few bottles and some Russians. We can sit down and watch games together.
One day I might even respect the Oilers too! Difference being the Russians always had a good team. Maybe one day the Oilers will too. Probably not in my lifetime. I dont keep Vodka around the house with Oiler fans. They are messed up already, they dont need Vodka. As for the gun? Its still around with Oiler fans. Russia and Most of Canada progressed, one day the Oiler fans will too. My great great Grandkids will enjoy that!
So did I and it wasn't pointless. Well, it's a hockey tournament so it's all kind of pointless, but you know what I mean. Maybe.
The Canada Cup was a big deal because it was the only time to show Canadian hockey supremacy to the world.
It was the only chance to show those dirty commies — with their dry land training, five-man lines, stupid helmets, precision passing, godless heartache and dour facial expressions — who was boss. And Canada was boss! Almost all the time!
Barely beating the Russians and pounding the piss out of the West Germans was fun and it made us feel better as a nation during some hard times.
And in 1996 when it was called the World Cup, playing the Americans was seriously some of the most intense hockey I've ever seen. I actually cringed a little when the Flames drafted Tkachuk this year because I've never gotten over my hatred for his old man from that tournament even though he couldn't even beat up Claude Lemieux! And that we lost.
And then lost in the Olympics to Robert Effing Reichel
Point is, after all this angry rambling, that the World Cup seems lame, because of the Olympics. If there are no NHL players in the Olympics in two years, then a World Cup in 2020 will be a big deal.
All that being said, I will watch every minute of the World Cup.
The World Cup isn't lame because of the Olympics, it's lame because it's not best on best. Canada winning this will be about as great for determining who is the best as the World Championships are. The players dropping like flies over injuries which won't affect them being in the NHL camps shows the importance they're putting on this tournament too.
It's cool that people are excited for hockey in September, but I'd rather just get to the hockey that matters.
Point is, after all this angry rambling, that the World Cup seems lame, because of the Olympics. If there are no NHL players in the Olympics in two years, then a World Cup in 2020 will be a big deal.
Absolutely.
It's just this version of the World Cup that just isn't doing it for me. The players themselves don't even seem to be buying into it. Just doesn't seem like a true best on best tourny
I don't begrudge the cash grab because, like you say, everything they do is a cash grab. It's a business and I'm willing to be cash-grabbed all the time and I'm fine with that, but...
This whole thing seems kind of pointless, or maybe frivolous, or something. It just doesn't seem like a serious tournament to anyone. Obviously I could be way off on that because I don't know what the participants are thinking, but that's just the vibe I get from it.
The Olympics are only a year and a half away and that's what (I think) most fans believe really counts.
It's sort of like the World Cup is an exhibition game, and the Olympics are the Stanley Cup Final.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoJetsGo
Like the All-star game?
I'm all for hockey in September. I'll watch for sure.
But this has a much closer feel to the trivial nature of the all-star game than it does the Olympics.
A young team with Canadians playing against Canada... best on best without our country's best players...
I'm sure it's going to be fun, but I can see how a lot of people are likening it to that of the World Championships rather than the actual Olympics.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos
Point is, after all this angry rambling, that the World Cup seems lame, because of the Olympics. If there are no NHL players in the Olympics in two years, then a World Cup in 2020 will be a big deal.
Everyone's entitled to decide for themselves if they're excited, but projecting these feelings onto the players and predicting an All-Star game level of intensity "'cause Olympics" if way off base.
This isn't the first time this type of event has taken place in the era of NHL players going to the Olympics. There was a World Cup in 2004, 2 years after the Salt Lake games and 2 years before Torino. And to judge the level of intensity and care, jump to 1:23:00 of this and watch the last minute of the final game:
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The World Cup isn't lame because of the Olympics, it's lame because it's not best on best. Canada winning this will be about as great for determining who is the best as the World Championships are. The players dropping like flies over injuries which won't affect them being in the NHL camps shows the importance they're putting on this tournament too.
It's cool that people are excited for hockey in September, but I'd rather just get to the hockey that matters.
Why isn't it best on best?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
What a bunch of whiny whiners. It's going to be high level hockey with the majority of the best players in the NHL of all ages. Would you rather have nothing? The amount of whining about this tournament from keyboard warriors is hilarious.
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What a bunch of whiny whiners. It's going to be high level hockey with the majority of the best players in the NHL of all ages. Would you rather have nothing? The amount of whining about this tournament from keyboard warriors is hilarious.
I would prefer nothing myself. I'd rather have all the players just attend training camp. This is a meaningless tournament to me, and I guess I get enough of a hockey fix in my normal life that I can wait a couple more weeks for meaningful hockey to start.
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