Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted January 26, 2015 Ok let me try it this way: how would you react if the roles were reversed ? Assume the swedish SEL would be the best league in the world...and Canada, USA would be average. Sweden then organizes a tournament where the US and CAN players are getting told well you aren't good enough but we want to market a few of your stars anyway so here is the deal: you both form one team and play as team NA (which is not a country it's a continent). Canada and USA would rightfully think screw you guys that's not worth it. That's irrelevant. If your country isn't good enough to meet the standards then it's not good enough. It's simple. Black and white. Look at their rosters. It's not the same level of competition. That could change as it's been stated it's an "evolving format". As a fan...I want the best players the can get. Canadians sure don't seem to mind playing in the Spengler Cup against Team Canada. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,803 Report post Posted January 26, 2015 How about Germany vs. the rest of the world? I think that could work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted January 26, 2015 How about Germany vs. the rest of the world? I think that could work. Only if they wear their Olympic outfits... 3 GMRwings1983, derblaueClaus and jimmyemeryhunter reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilmrt 636 Report post Posted January 27, 2015 They care because they're professionals and they are selling themselves and the sport. That doesn't work so well during the ASG. Still, you do have a point about the Spangler Cup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted January 27, 2015 I like it when it's the best on best.....other than that, I don't care if it's in the Olympics or some other tournament. Why are some people so fixated on needing the NHL players in the Olympics? As long as there is an international tournament that has the best playing the best, then that's all I care about. I must admit though, being Canadian, I probably have a different perspective. For all my life....pre-2002, the best Canadian players never played in the Olympics....I didn't care at all about watching the Olympics. I loved the Canada Cups though. For Europeans, it's probably different as the best players did play in the Olympics. Chelios was on the radio this morning and he mentioned that the best players were always at the Olympics, but not necessarily at the World Cup. It didn't make a lot of sense to me since there has basically been no history. NHL players started going to the Olympics in 1998 and there has only been 1 world cup tournament since then. Anyway....as I said, as long as it's best on best, I don't care, but from an NHL perspective, it makes a whole lot more sense to have the World Cup where they are in control, it's played in North America and it's played in September vs. shutting the league down in the middle of the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,803 Report post Posted January 27, 2015 I like it when it's the best on best.....other than that, I don't care if it's in the Olympics or some other tournament. Why are some people so fixated on needing the NHL players in the Olympics? As long as there is an international tournament that has the best playing the best, then that's all I care about. I must admit though, being Canadian, I probably have a different perspective. For all my life....pre-2002, the best Canadian players never played in the Olympics....I didn't care at all about watching the Olympics. I loved the Canada Cups though. For Europeans, it's probably different as the best players did play in the Olympics. Chelios was on the radio this morning and he mentioned that the best players were always at the Olympics, but not necessarily at the World Cup. It didn't make a lot of sense to me since there has basically been no history. NHL players started going to the Olympics in 1998 and there has only been 1 world cup tournament since then. Anyway....as I said, as long as it's best on best, I don't care, but from an NHL perspective, it makes a whole lot more sense to have the World Cup where they are in control, it's played in North America and it's played in September vs. shutting the league down in the middle of the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings4thecup06 504 Report post Posted January 27, 2015 When, just when, will this game, and the NHL, stop shooting themselves in the foot? Seriously. It's a niche sport, embrace it!! Instead of f****** around with these stupid ideas that just ultimately diminish other areas of the game in order to 'attract more fans' or 'grow the game'. Pro sports are really beginning to **** me off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mckinley25 679 Report post Posted January 27, 2015 When, just when, will this game, and the NHL, stop shooting themselves in the foot? Seriously. It's a niche sport, embrace it!! Instead of f****** around with these stupid ideas that just ultimately diminish other areas of the game in order to 'attract more fans' or 'grow the game'. Pro sports are really beginning to **** me off. It's a business, niche sports don't make enough money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted January 27, 2015 What areas of the game does holding a World Cup of Hockey tournament diminish? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chances14 229 Report post Posted January 28, 2015 aside from the young guns and team europe concept, i'm all for this. It's the best hockey players in the world playing against one another. what's not to like about it? 1 krsmith17 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings4thecup06 504 Report post Posted January 29, 2015 It's a business, niche sports don't make enough money. Yea I know, it's just the epitome of greed. Sorry, just hacks me off sometimes. 1 Mckinley25 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted January 29, 2015 Talking of greed... NHL sponsors say they expect the league to use next year's World Cup of Hockey to trial on-uniform advertising. 1 wings4thecup06 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilmrt 636 Report post Posted February 4, 2015 ESPN has been awarded the rights to the World Cup of Hockey. This is unexpected.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
