2016 World Cup of Hockey

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by DiracSpike

I didn't watch one second of this blatant attempt by the NHL to hijack the national pride of the Olympics becuase they couldn't stand that they weren't getting a cut. This joke of a tourney will never be the olympics. Ever.

You realize there were seven Canada Cup / World Cups before the Olympics became a best-on-best tournament, right?

The weirdest thing about the whole World Cup for me is how many younger fans seem to think best-on-best international hockey started with the Olympics. It didn't. International best-on-best hockey started with the Canada Cup, then the World Cup, then the Olympics, and now it's back to the World Cup. Once the World Cup returns to being the only best-on-best tournament, fans will get a lot more invested in it. Just like they were invested in the Canada Cup and World Cup.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

I, for one, can't wait to watch Latvia, Switzerland, Denmark or Slovakia get sh&& kicked by the big six.

True, but once Slovakia, Switzerland and Denmark are put to pasture in the round robin, the big boy teams start going head to head in the knockout stages and you're guaranteed to have a good final.

I, for one, would rather watch Denmark get #### kicked in the round robin and then avoid watching a Canada vs NA or Canada vs Europe Final.

The odd time Denmark, Slovakia or Switzerland surprise, all the better for world hockey.

[polak]

You realize Switzerland, Latvia and Belarus have all taken Big 6 teams to the brink or beat them? Slovakia was part of the big 7 before....

This tournament was a joke. A complete joke. Canada played "Rest of Europe" in the final of the world cup. I was cheering for "rest of europe" cause that would have just put the cherry on top of this joke of a tournament. I bet the NHL was sweating buckets in the 3rd period last night at the idea of Europe forcing a 3rd game and potentially winning.

[DiracSpike]

Originally Posted by TomLeeMC

Yea watching Canada play Latvia and Belarus at the olympics generates sooooo much intensity it's insane, can't wait.......

Obviously you didn't watch a second of the tourney because that cobbled together team of Europeans made it to the FINAL, and owned Canada in 55 of 60 minutes played yesterday... But please tell us again how much you didn't watch. and that logo

Canada's game against Latvia in 2014 actually was really intense, they almost lost. Not to mention Latvia is an actual country. Those guys were playing for their small nordic nation that has only been seperate from the USSR for a generation, a lot more compelling than this franken-team.

When the ratings come out you'll see exactly how much of a bomb this was.

[DiracSpike]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

You realize there were seven Canada Cup / World Cups before the Olympics became a best-on-best tournament, right?

The weirdest thing about the whole World Cup for me is how many younger fans seem to think best-on-best international hockey started with the Olympics. It didn't. International best-on-best hockey started with the Canada Cup, then the World Cup, then the Olympics, and now it's back to the World Cup. Once the World Cup returns to being the only best-on-best tournament, fans will get a lot more invested in it. Just like they were invested in the Canada Cup and World Cup.

I have heard of them yes, but I mean the main one was 1987 and I wasn't even alive at that point.

I agree with you that once the NHL players are banned from the olympics this tournament will take on a lot more weight. It'll just be a tough transition period because the olympics are the pinnacle of international sport.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

You realize there were seven Canada Cup / World Cups before the Olympics became a best-on-best tournament, right?

The weirdest thing about the whole World Cup for me is how many younger fans seem to think best-on-best international hockey started with the Olympics. It didn't. International best-on-best hockey started with the Canada Cup, then the World Cup, then the Olympics, and now it's back to the World Cup. Once the World Cup returns to being the only best-on-best tournament, fans will get a lot more invested in it. Just like they were invested in the Canada Cup and World Cup.

except you cant have fake teams.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

except you cant have fake teams.

Well, there was a made up team of several nationalities in Rio.

[polak]

I mean I live in Canada, I've been at the office for almost 2 hours now and not a single person has said a single word about Canada winning THE WORLD CUP of hockey yesterday. Not one. There was no celebration in the streets, there was no party, there was nothing.

This didn't even register as a blip in CANADA for christ sake.

[jlh2640]

I thought the tournament was ok. Team NA was fun to watch but would've been better with Monahan and Hamilton on the team as they should have been. And I would have been much more interested if Gio would have taken Muzzins spot as he should have as well.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

True, but once Slovakia, Switzerland and Denmark are put to pasture in the round robin, the big boy teams start going head to head in the knockout stages and you're guaranteed to have a good final.

I, for one, would rather watch Denmark get #### kicked in the round robin and then avoid watching a Canada vs NA or Canada vs Europe Final.

The odd time Denmark, Slovakia or Switzerland surprise, all the better for world hockey.

It would be incredible if the World Cup actually involved the world. Novel concept.

[Benched]

Maybe those of you who watched the old World Cups felt differently....

But for someone who grew up on Olympic and NHL hockey, this really did feel cheap.


It may have been first, it may have had history and passion in the past, but I have to say as someone who doesn't know anything about that, as a one off/first viewing or introduction to this tournament, it fell real short, and it felt hollow.

Yes, some of the hockey was good. You can point to the quality of players, making some highlight reel plays. You can also point to the missed passes, missed shots, and abundance of mistakes that you would expect at this time of year before players are 'dialed in'. That's not REALLY the issue though.

I wasn't invested in Team Canada in the same manner I'm not invested in Team Canada in the Spengler Cup. I watch if it's on. I have some interest. But honestly, if they don't play well it's a 'well who cares, it's not a real tournament' sort of feeling. That happened here.

I don't know if it's just lack of appearances that make it feel cheap, like if this became annual, in a few years the 'quality' might grow, and I'd be invested.

I don't know if it's because I know it's promoted by the NHL and it's clear they are testing it for Olympic replacement, and that that decision is a financial one, rather than a quality of competition or public support decision.

I don't know if it's because of the 'gimmicks' like Team North America which is all young guns. They were arguably the best part of the whole tournament, but we saw what it did to teams like USA when they don't get to select from their full talent pool. So an exciting team was born, at the expense of an old rival.



All I'm trying to explain to some posters who grew up watching some World Cups is what I experienced with this one. How as a person, who didn't watch the old series could experience and feel about this one. Maybe that's relevant information to you, maybe it's not. Just thought I'd share in an attempt to convey why some people, like myself, didn't 'get up' for this tournament.

[bubbsy]

I have just failed to be enticed, intrigued by this whole thing. I watched 1 game, the team NA game against sweden, and that too, was just too see how Gaudreau looked.

I watched the last 10 mins of the game last night, just because the jays/dolphins games were done and i still had beer to finish.

I was not thrilled with this WCOH concept goign in, but am actually shocked that i didn't end up getting into it eventually. Heck i found myself tuning into the leafs preseason game during commercial breaks from the jays/dophins game more than tuning into this, and i hate the leafs.

I'm a little shocked at myself being that i'm a hockey nut, like it's a stupid little addiction, yet, i was unable to get lured in whatsoever to this.

i'm glad it's over, let's get into some real hockey to talk about.

[CroFlames]

I think that in 2020 when they do a September tournament with 8 real teams, it'll become the premier international hockey event.

And I say again, the Olympics should be U23s, but they should keep the annual WJCs as well.

[Flamenspiel]

I doubt that, even the media seemed fatigued about the event. The players seemed to be into it, not so much the fans. As it was the attendance was very poor for the first final game agains the EU team.

Out side of Toronto this gets Hitmen size crowds.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by polak

I mean I live in Canada, I've been at the office for almost 2 hours now and not a single person has said a single word about Canada winning THE WORLD CUP of hockey yesterday. Not one. There was no celebration in the streets, there was no party, there was nothing.

This didn't even register as a blip in CANADA for christ sake.

I have to agree. It's almost like it never happened. Just because I don't care about this tournament I'm not saying they shouldn't have it if they want to make some money on the side but they needed to start it a week or two earlier so it doesn't coincide with NHL preseason and MLB final week of the regular season. That and have it in Western Canadian cities so it gets better local support.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I think that in 2020 when they do a September tournament with 8 real teams, it'll become the premier international hockey event.

And I say again, the Olympics should be U23s, but they should keep the annual WJCs as well.

Based on what happened this time around they've got a lot of work to do.

The wavering back and forth about the Olympics is a huge problem. The Olympics has been the premier international ice hockey tournament for a while now. In order to change that they need to make the world cup legitimate by allowing other countries to try to qualify (not just assembling random NHL all star teams) and making the rest of the world a part of it. Rotate countries where the tournament is held and start building a bit of a history.

They can't have a makeshift NHL all star pre-season tournament in Toronto and expect the world to care. As was stated above, when even Canada doesn't care, you've got issues.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by polak

I bet the NHL was sweating buckets in the 3rd period last night at the idea of Europe forcing a 3rd game and potentially winning.

I'm pretty sure the NHL was absolutely giddy at the prospect of getting the revenue from a third game and a winner take all final on a Saturday night in the ACC. They make their money regardless of who wins the game. Incidentally, does anyone know if that money is HRR that affects the players' escrow?

Anyway, I watched a bunch of the tournament and enjoyed it. I don't share the antipathy that some have, but then again, as I've said, I actually would be fine with it being a full-on gimmick tournament.

[GreenLantern]

I watched one North America game, I can't even remember who against. I watched a few high lights in the morning while I ate breakfeast, but that was about it. None of my friends were really interested in it, nobody even thought to get together to watch a game. I watched the highlights from last nights game at the gym this morning, and after I leave this thread will have forgotten all about the tournament.

Very anti climatic, I just want the season to start.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

You realize there were seven Canada Cup / World Cups before the Olympics became a best-on-best tournament, right?

The weirdest thing about the whole World Cup for me is how many younger fans seem to think best-on-best international hockey started with the Olympics. It didn't. International best-on-best hockey started with the Canada Cup, then the World Cup, then the Olympics, and now it's back to the World Cup. Once the World Cup returns to being the only best-on-best tournament, fans will get a lot more invested in it. Just like they were invested in the Canada Cup and World Cup.

I like international (best on best [but I hate that term]) hockey.

I couldn't get invested in the Europe & NA teams.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I think that in 2020 when they do a September tournament with 8 real teams, it'll become the premier international hockey event.

And I say again, the Olympics should be U23s, but they should keep the annual WJCs as well.

I wonder if they will dumb the Frankenteams.


The NHLPA is heavily involved isn't it? If so they want to maximize exposure for their members.