2016 World Cup of Hockey thread

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

I don't think the idea was that they wanted to showcase kids under 23 on a team. I think the main reason is that they needed 8 teams. They didn't want to have weak teams involved last prior tournaments (i.e. Germany). 6 teams isn't enough, so this is the way they came up with another 2 teams (a rest of Europe team + under 23 NA team). I think everyone felt NA could easily ice a 3rd competitive team, so this is the way they decided to differentiate.

I'm not a fan of this at all, but I see why they did it. There were probably other ways they could have done it (Canada 1 and Canada 2 for example...but I think that would have been worse as Canada 2 would clearly be getting leftovers).

What was the reason then of not having Team Slovakia? They're not a Germany as they have a lot of talented players who could field a good team. Let me guess, they didn't want team Europe to be comprised of weaklings, so they needed to merge them into Team Slovakia?

For a major hockey tournament, there's a lot of embarrassment and awkwardness here.

I still think the 8th team should be a team from LNAH.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Here's another question. What National Anthem will play first if Team North America wins the tournament? What if Team Europe wins the tournament? Will they play "The Final Countdown" by Europe in lieu of an anthem?

Edited September 6, 2016 by GMRwings1983

[kickazz 5,459]

Here's another question. What National Anthem will play first if Team North America wins the tournament?

Murica.

[NerveDamage 4,176]

Here's another question. What National Anthem will play first if Team North America wins the tournament? What if Team Europe wins the tournament? Will they play "The Final Countdown" by Europe in lieu of an anthem?

for team NA what better than Let the Children play-Santana

[toby91_ca 620]

What was the reason then of not having Team Slovakia? They're not a Germany as they have a lot of talented players who could field a good team. Let me guess, they didn't want team Europe to be comprised of weaklings, so they needed to merge them into Team Slovakia?

For a major hockey tournament, there's a lot of embarrassment and awkwardness here.

I still think the 8th team should be a team from LNAH.

I think if they thought Slovakia would be competitive enough, they wouldn't have a "Rest of Europe" team. Slovakia hasn't been competitive the last 2 tournaments (0-6 and outscored 32-13). They've actually been worse than Germany.

Edited September 6, 2016 by toby91_ca

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

I think if they thought Slovakia would be competitive enough, they wouldn't have a "Rest of Europe" team. Slovakia hasn't been competitive the last 2 tournaments (0-6 and outscored 32-13). They've actually been worse than Germany.

Tatar will change all that.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

Here's another question. What National Anthem will play first if Team North America wins the tournament? What if Team Europe wins the tournament? Will they play "The Final Countdown" by Europe in lieu of an anthem?

There is an official anthem for Europe, it's the Ode to Joy.

I hope they go with this version:

[NerveDamage 4,176]

with the whole Team Europe, I was waiting for a Brexit joke, wasn´t disappointed

Edited September 7, 2016 by NerveDamage

[joesuffP 1,746]

I'm almost positive Z and Kronwall opted out to better prepare themselves for the start of the season

Edited September 7, 2016 by joesuffP

[kickazz 5,459]

I'm almost positive Z and Kronwall opted out to better prepare themselves for the start of the season

Idk.. Can you fake injury? Probably have an injury, maybe not as severe as they're letting on.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Kronwall has too bad knees, Z a bad back I highly doubt you can fake that.

Even if they did kudos to then safe your energy for the regular season instead of a gimmick tournament.

Can't believe Trouba and Gaudreaus are playing.

[amato 3,210]

RFAs who play at the tournament are insured by the NHL/NHLPA so they don't have anything to worry about really. Why not play?

http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/report-nhl-nhlpa-to-insure-restricted-free-agents-at-world-cup

[sibiriak 84]

RFAs who play at the tournament are insured by the NHL/NHLPA so they don't have anything to worry about really. Why not play?

http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/report-nhl-nhlpa-to-insure-restricted-free-agents-at-world-cup

I'm not sure what that insurance covers. It would have to cover medical expenses if an injury is suffered during WC play, and perhaps some living allowance. But since they have no salary coming in, that can't be insured, can it? So if they do get hurt during WC, insurance will run out as they heal from the injury, and then what will they do? No one would sign them to a contract if they are seriously injured.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

I'm not sure what that insurance covers. It would have to cover medical expenses if an injury is suffered during WC play, and perhaps some living allowance. But since they have no salary coming in, that can't be insured, can it? So if they do get hurt during WC, insurance will run out as they heal from the injury, and then what will they do? No one would sign them to a contract if they are seriously injured.

That's where Obamacare steps in.

[amato 3,210]

I'm not sure what that insurance covers. It would have to cover medical expenses if an injury is suffered during WC play, and perhaps some living allowance. But since they have no salary coming in, that can't be insured, can it? So if they do get hurt during WC, insurance will run out as they heal from the injury, and then what will they do? No one would sign them to a contract if they are seriously injured.

Yeah I was wondering the same. I'm sure some team will still sign them but it is nice that the league is at least doing something for the RFAs.

If they were that concerned about a potential injury affecting their next contract (an understandable concern imo), I imagine they just wouldn't play..

[toby91_ca 620]

The other reason no SLK team is likely due to very little NHL players from SLK. This isn't the World Championships or Olympics, it's an NHL sponsored event. It doesn't mean non-NHLers can be part of it, but it's pretty clear, the rosters are almost entirely NHL players. Of the 8 teams, I count only 6 or 7 non-NHLers. There are only 10-11 SLK NHLers, so tough to form an entire team for this.

[NerveDamage 4,176]

My eyes are bleedin'... red, white and blue

[Dabura 12,232]

https://twitter.com/CraigCustance/status/773913711123673088

With Auston Matthews getting a shot on Team North America third line, looks like Dylan Larkin is the extra...

[joesuffP 1,746]

That suuuucks... Hopefully extra motivation. Larkin must be really disappointed hopefully he changes the coaches minds. This decision is purely based on hype

[Dabura 12,232]

That suuuucks... Hopefully extra motivation. Larkin must be really disappointed hopefully he changes the coaches minds. This decision is purely based on hype

Honestly, if it means he's less likely to get hurt, I'm kind of ok with it. At the end of the day, this tournament is meaningless.

[joesuffP 1,746]

Honestly, if it means he's less likely to get hurt, I'm kind of ok with it. At the end of the day, this tournament is meaningless.

Yeah good point. I think once we get past the excitement of hockey starting we'll see this tournament isn't going to be all that. Hopefully Larkin plays with a chip on his shoulder. Being the outsider with something to prove is a good mentality to have going forward

[kickazz 5,459]

Season hasn't even started and the slobbering on Mathews has already begun.

[Dabura 12,232]

Season hasn't even started and the slobbering on Mathews has already begun.

Well, the tournament is basically a naked cash grab, it's taking place in Toronto, and Team NA is there to promote the NHL's young talent. So it makes sense, I guess.

[Dabura 12,232]

(And, in fairness, Matthews does appear to be a very special player.)

Edited September 8, 2016 by Dabura

[Jacksoni 418]

Matthews is indeed a special player. But like most younger players he lacks the beef gained through lifting over extended time (think 7+ years). Thus he can be bullied a bit, just like Larkin.

McDavid and Eichel however are big and Eichel especially got good beef. They will start to dominate very soon, probably starting this year. One of them might win the most points title.