Team USA coach for hockey World Cup...

[kipwinger 8,524]

He's baaaaaaaaaack!

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

What happened to Peter Laviolette?

[rick zombo 3,739]

What happened to logic and sanity?

[kipwinger 8,524]

What happened to Peter Laviolette?

Good question. Apparently hockey USA has no interest in actually winning the World Cup.

Can we get someone to photoshop Tortarella's head on Vinny Mac?

[amato 3,210]

This is a joke right??

Bit of a stunner ahead of tonight’s announcement from USA Hockey:

John Tortorella will be named head coach of Team USA's entry for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey tonight after MNF. #TSN

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli)September 21, 2015

It’s a decision that will definitely generate debate.

Ya think?? I don't get it.... There seem to be so many better options. Who did this guy pay off?

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2015/09/21/report-john-tortorella-yes-john-tortorella-will-coach-usa-at-world-cup/

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Speaking of this tournament, who is going to coach Team "Rest of Europe"? (I mean Slovakia and friends)

Edited September 21, 2015 by GMRwings1983

[kipwinger 8,524]

Speaking of this tournament, who is going to coach Team "Rest of Europe"? (I mean Slovakia and friends)

Mike Keenan? Doesn't he currently coach in Russia?

It would be fun if Keenan got the gig. Him, Babcock, and Tortarella could compete for the "Most Overrated Blowhard" award.

Edited September 21, 2015 by kipwinger

[amato 3,210]

All I can think about the torts hire is that no one else wanted the job and he'll take what he can get...? At least it'll be entertaining I suppose

[kipwinger 8,524]

I wonder if this will effect which players decide to participate in the tournament? I wouldn't want to spend my time off playing for Torts in a World Cup. Being an Olympian, and getting a gold medal still has some prestige, so guys want to do it. But a World Cup of Hockey? Who cares? I'd rather be on vacation.

[kickazz 5,459]

Well this only solidified my early prediction that U.S.A wont make it far in the cup

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I wonder if this will effect which players decide to participate in the tournament? I wouldn't want to spend my time off playing for Torts in a World Cup. Being an Olympian, and getting a gold medal still has some prestige, so guys want to do it. But a World Cup of Hockey? Who cares? I'd rather be on vacation.

I disagree. And if that's the mentality players nowadays have, it needs to be changed.

The World Cup of Hockey/Canada Cup used to be a very, very prestigious event. Some of the best hockey games in history happened here. Think back to the 1987 Canada Cup Final between Canada and USSR. Or the 1996 World Cup of Hockey Final between Canada and the United States. I dare someone to find me better hockey than what was played during those tournaments. It was intense, exciting and important to the players involved.

I'm all for bringing this excitement back to hockey. Not sure if the way this competition was set up will do it, though. The slap in the face to Slovakia didn't help.

[kipwinger 8,524]

I disagree. And if that's the mentality players nowadays have, it needs to be changed.

The World Cup of Hockey/Canada Cup used to be a very, very prestigious event. Some of the best hockey games in history happened here. Think back to the 1987 Canada Cup Final between Canada and USSR. Or the 1996 World Cup of Hockey Final between Canada and the United States. I dare someone to find me better hockey than what was played during those tournaments. It was intense, exciting and important to the players involved.

I'm all for bringing this excitement back to hockey. Not sure if the way this competition was set up will do it, though. The slap in the face to Slovakia didn't help.

I didn't say the games would suck. I'm implying that your average 22 year old American kid probably doesn't care enough about it to endure John Tortarella for two weeks.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I didn't say the games would suck. I'm implying that your average 22 year old American kid probably doesn't care enough about it to endure John Tortarella for two weeks.

Well, if today's players will react this way to the tournament (which I doubt), then we need to change their philosophy.

I say I doubt because players enjoy representing their country. It's not just the Olympics where it matters. I see guys playing hard at the World Championships, and that takes place every year. Players will play hard in this tournament, regardless of the coach. If not, it will be easy to find replacements who will volunteer.

[kickazz 5,459]

Side note - are we allowed to make WWE threads seems like there's a good following on here

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Side note - are we allowed to make WWE threads seems like there's a good following on here

No. Not deliberately on the GDT.

You have to skillfully tie it in with something someone posted. And it has to be geared toward old school wrestling, as the current show is simply awful.

Edited September 21, 2015 by GMRwings1983

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

Side note - are we allowed to make WWE threads seems like there's a good following on here

I don't think so, but please, please don't.

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

Side note - are we allowed to make WWE threads seems like there's a good following on here

John Cana sucks. Divas are hot. All you need to know.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Now I hope Hartley coaches team Canada and send out his fourth line.

In all seriousness it's such a joke wouldn't surprise me if more players are opting out of that crap now.

how can this be about national pride when 2 teams aren't even a country. I'm more than sure McDavid and Eichel rather play for their country than an under 23 team.

The Olympics are about national pride as are the world championships but this thing is about nothing other than a huge cash crab.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Now I hope Hartley coaches team Canada and send out his fourth line.

In all seriousness it's such a joke wouldn't surprise me if more players are opting out of that crap now.

how can this be about national pride when 2 teams aren't even a country. I'm more than sure McDavid and Eichel rather play for their country than an under 23 team.

The Olympics are about national pride as are the world championships but this thing is about nothing other than a huge cash crab.

I would play with pride for team "Slovakia and friends". Would be kinda fun.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

I would play with pride for team "Slovakia and friends". Would be kinda fun.

which pride? if it's not my country there is no pride and therefore no reason to take part in something like that.

[number9 3,297]

which pride? if it's not my country there is no pride and therefore no reason to take part in something like that.

It's team Slovakia and Friends. Do you have a policy against befriending slovaks? and if so, why?!?!?!?

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

It's team Slovakia and Friends. Do you have a policy against befriending slovaks? and if so, why?!?!?!?

Because they left the Czechs behind.

[kliq 3,755]

I would play with pride for team "Slovakia and friends". Would be kinda fun.

As a person of 100% Slovak decent, this really bothers me (not your post, the setup of the tourney). For years Slovakia has had to deal with not being respected in international play as a top team, even after almost eliminating Canada back in 2010. They deserve their own team.

[number9 3,297]

As a person of 100% Slovak decent, this really bothers me (not your post, the setup of the tourney). For years Slovakia has had to deal with not being respected in international play as a top team, even after almost eliminating Canada back in 2010. They deserve their own team.

Isn't that why the Slovak players are protesting the tournament?

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Why didn't they just give Slovakia a team? Do they want Kopitar in the tournament that badly?

And the under 23 team North America is stupid also. Not sure why such a simple format that worked in the past needed to be altered. This idiocy reminds me of modern day WWE booking.