This is a joke.

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

Guess the whole NHL including all the players are morons since the NHL and NHLPA agreed to this. You must be the only smart person.

This is a joke.

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

Sign me up as a moron, then BJ. It's hard to debate with strong, well thought out arguments like yours but the fact is that this is an NHL tournament with NHL players. I Mark Streit is upset but it's hard to see a Swiss team made up of 12 players doing very well in this tournament.

This is hilarious. every time the Olympics come around all i hear or read about is how team Canada could field two contending teams. Now the NHL sets it up so that Canada gets basically 2 teams (under 23's will be made up of 70-80% canadians most likely) and all we get on these threads are whining??

I for one am certain that when 2016 rolls around, every single participant in the WCH will be excited to play no matter if they are on an "all star team" or their own national team. The reason being these are some of the most competitive guys ever! This isn't just about representing your country, it is also about bragging rights. Imagine the Euro all stars beating team Sweden in the finals, and then the NHL season begins. You don't think Nik Ehlers (Denmark, plays for the Jets) will walk into the dressing room showing off his medal and poke a little fun at Toby Enstrom (Sweden, also from the Jets)?

The same goes for the Under 23's. If they pull off an upset over team Canada there is no doubt those kids are going to feel more confident about being in the NHL.

Lastly, this is an NHL thing meant to grow the NHL. It is why it is being set in Toronto despite the fact Toronto had the last World Cup. The games will all sell out making the NHL and NHLPA lots of money, and it will be showcased around the world including those smaller countries that wouldn't have had an entry. As one poster said, Slovelia, a country that most likely would not have qualified, still has reason to watch and cheer as Kopitar can still do his country proud by showing that he is one of the best players in the world! NHL hockey is rarely broadcast over in eastern europe, and as such exposer for the NHL and growing the game there is limited. This helps to open the dorrs a little more thereby hopefully inspiring the next generation of superstars allowing these smaller countries to eventually build a competitive team!

As for Streit's comments, I can't blame him for feeling that way. A European all star team limits his chances for being there as now the competition level for those 8 d spots is increased. Meaning he has to pick up his level of play which is something I would think Flyers fans would be happy about!

This is about growing the sport of hockey and the NHL brand. By making sure that all of the NHL's best can compete, the NHL can ensure that they will always be the best and most popular league. I can actually see this as something that sticks around based on player response after the tournament concludes. Remember, unlike the Olympics, the NHLPA is a huge part of this tournament and has a hand in determining how the format is made up.

So... my question would be... the 8 team structure, is that just for the first time they do this, and then it will likely be expanded?

If so, then its ok... gotta test the waters and all that blah blah blah... if countries really want this, they will support the first run and then be in it the next time around.

If not, this is (frank)ing retarded...

Guess the whole NHL including all the players are morons since the NHL and NHLPA agreed to this. You must be the only smart person.
- martinob

I bet you are from Toronto --- I can understand that they have bribed you with thoughts of great hockey linked with your town --- the rest of us can play EA Sports NHL 98 and get equally thrilling and accurate results.

Why not just play the tournament on a boat with a team of left handed Portuguese dentists?

Sign me up as a moron, then BJ. It's hard to debate with strong, well thought out arguments like yours but the fact is that this is an NHL tournament with NHL players. I Mark Streit is upset but it's hard to see a Swiss team made up of 12 players doing very well in this tournament.
- Canada Cup

i see no benefit in having a debate. Stupid is as stupid does.

agree completely, the tournament itself is a great idea high level hockey to start off the NHL season, hope there is still Olympic participation. the two "all star" teams i don't like, sure they would be able to compete better but its just so lame besides what happens to a team like finland, barkov would likely make two teams under 23 and finland guarantee he takes finland unless he is forced not to. players will not be excited to play for an all-star team like they would their country.

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

Absolutely. 100% yes.

Why do they not get to compete? That's what this SHOULD be about. Not just the level of competition but the growth of the game in places where it is currently a fringe sport.

Did you know that the last place team at the FIFA world cup makes 8 million dollars? Obviously, again, you can't compare futbol and hockey, but the idea of rewarding these smaller programs is what will make them want to grow and develop more players. Eventually this will lead to more NHL players, and a higher caliber of play worldwide.

It takes time, yes, and that's a perfect scenario. You can't start by excluding 10+ teams from the competition just because they can't field teams as deep as Sweden or Canada. That's simply not fair and an elitist attitude to take.

So... my question would be... the 8 team structure, is that just for the first time they do this, and then it will likely be expanded?

If so, then its ok... gotta test the waters and all that blah blah blah... if countries really want this, they will support the first run and then be in it the next time around.

If not, this is (frank)ing retarded...
- Guile

In theory, they want it to be a 16 team tournament with a qualifying process by 2020.

2018 they are going to play a Ryder cup style Canada against the world thing instead of this.

As I mentioned in my closing thoughts, if they can actually make it sustainable in terms of interest through to 2020 and make the idea come to actualization then I am on board. But I feel like this was a poorly conceived idea with too much of an NHL slanted bias involved.

I also find it curious that this is their goal when they already have the IIHF World Championships using this format. Move the tournament to January/February, replace the all-star/olympic break with that, release the players to play. Done.

Absolutely. 100% yes.

Why do they not get to compete? That's what this SHOULD be about. Not just the level of competition but the growth of the game in places where it is currently a fringe sport.

Did you know that the last place team at the FIFA world cup makes 8 million dollars? Obviously, again, you can't compare futbol and hockey, but the idea of rewarding these smaller programs is what will make them want to grow and develop more players. Eventually this will lead to more NHL players, and a higher caliber of play worldwide.

It takes time, yes, and that's a perfect scenario. You can't start by excluding 10+ teams from the competition just because they can't field teams as deep as Sweden or Canada. That's simply not fair and an elitist attitude to take.
- Jason_Lewis

Nailed it brotha.

In theory, they want it to be a 16 team tournament with a qualifying process by 2020.

2018 they are going to play a Ryder cup style Canada against the world thing instead of this.

As I mentioned in my closing thoughts, if they can actually make it sustainable in terms of interest through to 2020 and make the idea come to actualization then I am on board. But I feel like this was a poorly conceived idea with too much of an NHL slanted bias involved.

I also find it curious that this is their goal when they already have the IIHF World Championships using this format. Move the tournament to January/February, replace the all-star/olympic break with that, release the players to play. Done.
- Jason_Lewis

Yes, but then the NHL doesn't have control. This is something that the NHL/NHLPA won't do because they don't get to steer the ship. The IIHF does.

Likely it's ego. Likely it's also brand control. Players and teams likely also don't want to be completely worn out by the playoffs. We as fans should also not want to see our best players worn out by playing international hockey at that time of year.