Better than not playing in it at all. No offence to Slovenia but they just don't have enough talented players to even make it into a tournament like this, nevermind compete for a medal.
- martinob

The players from there would like to try tho if given the opportunity. Slovenia finished 7th at the 2014 Olympics.....not bad for no talented players hey?

Great. A REAL World Cup in 2020! I'll tune in then. I hear FIFA is thinking of adopting the same format. You relax I'm actually quite calm.
- RobFlyers#1

You just saw a "real" World Cup in Sochi in 2014. And you will see another one in 2018 in South Korea. And then 2020. And then in 2022 wherever the Olympics are. And then 2024, 2026, 2028, etc.

The players from there would like to try tho if given the opportunity. Slovenia finished 7th at the 2014 Olympics.....not bad for no talented players hey?
- RobFlyers#1

I don't think there's a "7th place" in the Olympics. There's 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Slovenia lost in the quarterfinals after beating Austria in the 1st round of elimination. Great success?

You just saw a "real" World Cup in Sochi in 2014. And you will see another one in 2018 in South Korea. And then 2020. And then in 2022 wherever the Olympics are. And then 2024, 2026, 2028, etc.
- rangerdanger94

There is no guarantee that NHL players will participate in South Korea in 2018 as per NHL.com 2 hours ago

Great. A REAL World Cup in 2020! I'll tune in then. I hear FIFA is thinking of adopting the same format. You relax I'm actually quite calm.
- RobFlyers#1

Can't compare hockey and soccer. The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event out there and it is because almost every nation in the world loves soccer and there is so much talent all around the globe NOT because of the format. Everyone would still watch it regardless of the format because the sport is that popular. Hockey is not even close in terms of popularity so you could never expect the world cup of hockey to be anywhere near as popular as the World Cup so comparing them is useless.

I don't think there's a "7th place" in the Olympics. There's 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Slovenia lost in the quarterfinals after beating Austria in the 1st round of elimination. Great success?
- rangerdanger94

Really nobody finishes 7th. Better check that because that's where they finished.

It would be better if the young team included youngsters from all over the world and not just NA.

The players from there would like to try tho if given the opportunity. Slovenia finished 7th at the 2014 Olympics.....not bad for no talented players hey?
- RobFlyers#1

Ok but do those 4th line players on that Slovenia team deserve to get a chance in that tournament over more talented players from other European nations that didn't qualify? I don't think so. This way ensures that there will be top talent on all 8 teams. No one likes to see Canada win 10-0, not even us Canadians.

Really nobody finishes 7th. Better check that because that's where they finished.
- RobFlyers#1

Can you link me to the official standings that show they finished 7th?

All I see is the Final Standings that list the gold medal winner, the silver medal winner, the bronze medal winner, and the 4th place team:
http://www.olympic.org/ol.../ice-hockey-m?event=32500

Teams:

BC
Western Canada
Ontario
Quebec
Atlantic Canada
USA
Czech Rep.
Sweden
Finland
Russia
Slovakia
Switzerland

Why not just make it 6 teams in 2016?

If the young stars or the EU stars medal in the tourney, are they going to raise split flags or the crappy EU flag? Also, not that I care much for anthems, but what do you play? If those countries don't have anthems, then we pretty much scrap them for everyone, right? I am cool with that, but it's hard to call it a "World Cup" at that point.

Also, from a competitive standpoint, the under 23 team is going to throw everything off. There is a good chance McDavid or Eichel (not to mention anyone else, especially for the States) would make their national team. You are taking talent away from the national teams to make up, what? A young team with 80% Canadians and a few talented Americans, who may have helped their national team? Who is even cheering for this team?

Pretty lame way to beef up the total number of games and grab some more money from the fans. Actually, "gimmicky" sums it up perfectly

Why not just make it 6 teams in 2016?

If the young stars or the EU stars medal in the tourney, are they going to raise split flags or the crappy EU flag? Also, not that I care much for anthems, but what do you play? If those countries don't have anthems, then we pretty much scrap them for everyone, right? I am cool with that, but it's hard to call it a "World Cup" at that point.

Also, from a competitive standpoint, the under 23 team is going to throw everything off. There is a good chance McDavid or Eichel (not to mention anyone else, especially for the States) would make their national team. You are taking talent away from the national teams to make up, what? A young team with 80% Canadians and a few talented Americans, who may have helped their national team? Who is even cheering for this team?

Pretty lame way to beef up the total number of games and grab some more money from the fans. Actually, "gimmicky" sums it up perfectly
- Charliebox

If they win they have to play the anthem from every single country that is represented on the team.

Obviously.

You just saw a "real" World Cup in Sochi in 2014. And you will see another one in 2018 in South Korea. And then 2020. And then in 2022 wherever the Olympics are. And then 2024, 2026, 2028, etc.
- rangerdanger94

That's the thing. They are trying to get away from that and make the Olympics go back to its roots. More amateurs and less professionals.

HOCKEY OVERKILL


How many times do we have to witness events like the Men's Olympic hockey tournament before we begin to realize how boring it really is? I for one, have long lost the desire to watch professionals compete in that event. I don't know why, I am just over it. Mind you, before the pro's arrived I never watched it at all so maybe it is the event itself?

I enjoyed the World Cup bs before there was an international showcase for NHL players. Still, it seems so (frank)ing redundant. Christ, the regular season seems so bloody redundant. It's hard to appreciate chocolate if you are demolishing your face with it 24/7.

Get rid of the Olympics, shorten the NHL season(never going to happen), tape some dynamite to the Spengler(What is with that crap tourney?), and while your at it, stop broadcasting the WJ's because I find it such a Canadian ego jack fest. Kind of what I imagine it would be like if Pierre Mcguire were to drug and date rape Dion Phaneuf(I use the term rape loosely because let's face it you can't rape the willing).

Just stop Hockey world. Quit watering down what it means to be a champion by allowing so many of them to be paraded out year after year.

Forgive me everyone. I watched the skills competition tonight and well, I dunno, am I pining for the days when I was a kid where perhaps I could actually give two (frank)ing poops about a team Toews beating a team Foglino? Maybe I just can't stand how convoluted the game that I love has seemingly become.

Time to go to bed.

Ok but do those 4th line players on that Slovenia team deserve to get a chance in that tournament over more talented players from other European nations that didn't qualify? I don't think so. This way ensures that there will be top talent on all 8 teams. No one likes to see Canada win 10-0, not even us Canadians.
- martinob

Yes they do if their country qualifies. Did you watch the last Olympics? It does not sound like it. Slovenia lost to Sweden in the quarter finals 5-0. For counties like Slovenia that's a measuring stick for them. They get up to play those games. Some of those players that's the biggest game they will ever play. Canada only beat Latvia 2-1 in the quarter finals in Sochi. Do you remember at the 2002 Olympics when Belarus upset Sweden in the medal rounds. I bet they do. I bet the people of Belarus do. Live in this decade man. There is more parity in international hockey now than ever. I believe this tournament is a step backwards. Insulting to the countries that are apart of the European All-Stars and their fans.

Jason Lewis: The World Cup of Hockey: The Next Big Gimmick
- Jason_Lewis

Lighten up Francis. This is a great idea, and I love the idea of a Euro all star team and an under 23 team.

Can you link me to the official standings that show they finished 7th?

All I see is the Final Standings that list the gold medal winner, the silver medal winner, the bronze medal winner, and the 4th place team:
http://www.olympic.org/ol.../ice-hockey-m?event=32500
- rangerdanger94

I'm not gonna tell you how to use google. Search it. Final standings.

Can't compare hockey and soccer. The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event out there and it is because almost every nation in the world loves soccer and there is so much talent all around the globe NOT because of the format. Everyone would still watch it regardless of the format because the sport is that popular. Hockey is not even close in terms of popularity so you could never expect the world cup of hockey to be anywhere near as popular as the World Cup so comparing them is useless.
- martinob

Your right. Can't compare Hockey and Soccer. One you'd have to be retarded to watch it's that mind numbingly boring and the other is Hockey. Soccer your right is more popular worldwide. Why? Because anyone can play. It's inexpensive, no gear required and you don't need to know how to skate which not everyone can do let alone excel at. Do you know how you get better at something? You play better competition. That's good for these growing hockey countries. Playing the best in the world. The coaches for these countries get to see the best up close and see how far back they are. No the World Cup of hockey will probably never reach the level of the World Cup of soccer but atleast soccer's is an actual World Cup and not a gimmick.

Why not just make it 6 teams in 2016?

If the young stars or the EU stars medal in the tourney, are they going to raise split flags or the crappy EU flag? Also, not that I care much for anthems, but what do you play? If those countries don't have anthems, then we pretty much scrap them for everyone, right? I am cool with that, but it's hard to call it a "World Cup" at that point.

Also, from a competitive standpoint, the under 23 team is going to throw everything off. There is a good chance McDavid or Eichel (not to mention anyone else, especially for the States) would make their national team. You are taking talent away from the national teams to make up, what? A young team with 80% Canadians and a few talented Americans, who may have helped their national team? Who is even cheering for this team?



Pretty lame way to beef up the total number of games and grab some more money from the fans. Actually, "gimmicky" sums it up perfectly
- Charliebox

Actually to my understanding if you are under 23 you have to play for the under 23 team and not your country. We all know that's what every kid grows up wanting to do. Play for a gimmick team in a supposed international "World Cup".

People care more about letting other people know how much they don't care about these things more than anyone has ever cared for anything ever in the history of ever. ever.

I see more people female dog about the ASG and the World Cup than actual coverage on it.

People care more about letting other people know how much they don't care about these things more than anyone has ever cared for anything ever in the history of ever. ever.

I see more people female dog about the ASG and the World Cup than actual coverage on it.
- Blackstrom2

HOCKEY OVERKILL


How many times do we have to witness events like the Men's Olympic hockey tournament before we begin to realize how boring it really is? I for one, have long lost the desire to watch professionals compete in that event. I don't know why, I am just over it. Mind you, before the pro's arrived I never watched it at all so maybe it is the event itself?

I enjoyed the World Cup bs before there was an international showcase for NHL players. Still, it seems so (frank)ing redundant. Christ, the regular season seems so bloody redundant. It's hard to appreciate chocolate if you are demolishing your face with it 24/7.

Get rid of the Olympics, shorten the NHL season(never going to happen), tape some dynamite to the Spengler(What is with that crap tourney?), and while your at it, stop broadcasting the WJ's because I find it such a Canadian ego jack fest. Kind of what I imagine it would be like if Pierre Mcguire were to drug and date rape Dion Phaneuf(I use the term rape loosely because let's face it you can't rape the willing).

Just stop Hockey world. Quit watering down what it means to be a champion by allowing so many of them to be paraded out year after year.

Forgive me everyone. I watched the skills competition tonight and well, I dunno, am I pining for the days when I was a kid where perhaps I could actually give two (frank)ing poops about a team Toews beating a team Foglino? Maybe I just can't stand how convoluted the game that I love has seemingly become.

Time to go to bed.
- Misterbator

No one is making it convoluted except for you.

Why not have a play-in tourney prior to the World Cup. Top 2 teams are added to the World Cup. Only downfall is certain NHL players would not be included if their national team didn't qualify, but a lot of very good NHLers already don't make team Canada. I agree, I hate to watch Canada beat a team 9-0, but how exciting for a team like France or Italy to have a chance at their own miracle on ice.

No one is making it convoluted except for you.
- Blackstrom2

You are probably right. I admit it, perhaps I am suffering from reverse Peter Pan syndrome-I have grown up too much to simply enjoy the game of hockey as it currently is presented to me.

I will say that I like the idea of the two all star teams though. It really does spice up the World Cup. International tournaments lack competition, that's why it bores me to tears. Maybe the Olympics could put a cap on the amount of professional players allowed on each roster?

This is a joke.

I am all for debate but anyone who defends this is a moron.