Well, I will add these thoughts. The previous version of this tournament, the Canada Cup was immensely popular in Canada. The 1987 victory over the Russians on home soil is the stuff of legends up here. I remember watching every period of every game. Maybe the NHL is looking to capitalize on the fact that it was kind of ingrained in Canadians. I mean, all games are in Toronto aren't they? Could just be hoping it's popular enough in Canada that they still make a decent profit?
- Hextall271

Well, with all due respect, you folks up there are franking off the charts when it comes to hockey. I'll guess that men's leagues up there have fans in the stands. lol

Well, with all due respect, you folks up there are franking off the charts when it comes to hockey. I'll guess that men's leagues up there have fans in the stands. lol
- Scoob

Haha, I agree wholeheartedly. That's one of the things that makes me so proud of being Canadian. I've been playing/watching/eating/breathing the game since I was 6. Our men's beer league normally get about 10-15 people (family of course) to watch the games. Even my summer ball hockey league playoffs, you'll get 70-80 people.

We are nuts and I love it.

Our men's beer league normally get about 10-15 people
- Hextall271

We're lucky if we get 10-15 players combined both teams in the inline leagues I play in. lol

Haha, I agree wholeheartedly. That's one of the things that makes me so proud of being Canadian. I've been playing/watching/eating/breathing the game since I was 6. Our men's beer league normally get about 10-15 people (family of course) to watch the games. Even my summer ball hockey league playoffs, you'll get 70-80 people.

We are nuts and I love it.
- Hextall271

NYC beer league games only produce girlfriend's watching from the bleachers in jackets face down in smartphone land.

Well, I will add these thoughts. The previous version of this tournament, the Canada Cup was immensely popular in Canada. The 1987 victory over the Russians on home soil is the stuff of legends up here. I remember watching every period of every game. Maybe the NHL is looking to capitalize on the fact that it was kind of ingrained in Canadians. I mean, all games are in Toronto aren't they? Could just be hoping it's popular enough in Canada that they still make a decent profit?
- Hextall271

Looks like all of the games are at Air Canada Centre. Cities selected to host pre-tournament games are: Columbus, Pittsburgh and Washington, DC; Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City; Prague; Gothenburg; Helsinki; and Moscow.

Somewhat easy Flyers' trivia:

Following a playoff OT goal by Eric Lindros in the 1995 Eastern Conference Final, the Flyers had a streak of 8 consecutive playoff OT games that they lost. Who finally ended that streak for the Flyers?
- jmatchett383

The flyers

We're lucky if we get 10-15 players combined both teams in the inline leagues I play in. lol
- Scoob

Haha. It's not all the time mind you. If it's a late game there's prob no one. But Saturday afternoon games or Thursday night earlier people come to watch.

The flyers
- Giroux_Is_God

Your face

Haha. It's not all the time mind you. If it's a late game there's prob no one. But Saturday afternoon games or Thursday night earlier people come to watch.
- Hextall271

When I used to live by Skate Zone, I'd go down there from time to time and see if there was a game going on. Even found a cute girl who liked to go with me.

The flyers
- Giroux_Is_God

lol

I never mentioned it as being something to make money.



I seriously doubt that anyone other than a fairly hard-core NHL fan will watch this tournament. There's nothing compelling about it to draw someone in. At least the Olympics have the other Olympic sports that folks watch where they may accidentally not change the channel when figure skating ends and end up watching an Olympic hockey game. With this tournament the MLB and NFL, and probably golf and NASCAR, will trounce it in the ratings. I don't see any way it will "grow the game."



Sure, more stars are there, but so what? It's eight all-star teams. Big woop. Two of the teams are unaffiliated with a nation. Manufactured national pride. snore

NHL hockey is the best hockey in the world. Anything else is simply watered down.
- Scoob

It is a lot of wishful thinking...but it is on ESPN which means it will reach people that don't normally see it. Whether or not they actually tune into the games they will probably see it on sportscenter or something

Somewhat easy Flyers' trivia:

Following a playoff OT goal by Eric Lindros in the 1995 Eastern Conference Final, the Flyers had a streak of 8 consecutive playoff OT games that they lost. Who finally ended that streak for the Flyers?
- jmatchett383

Daniel Briere

It is a lot of wishful thinking...but it is on ESPN which means it will reach people that don't normally see it. Whether or not they actually tune into the games they will probably see it on sportscenter or something
- YuenglingJagr

I'm sure than JoeBob in Texas will be excited to see that Shane Gotsbeer did some fruity skating and scored a home run or something against some homos from Russia. TRUCKS AMERICA GUNS!

The flyers
- Giroux_Is_God

I'm sure than JoeBob in Texas will be excited to see that Shane Gotsbeer did some fruity skating and scored a home run or something against some homos from Russia. TRUCKS AMERICA GUNS!
- jmatchett383

To be fair...Cowboys fans are going to need something to watch this fall

To be fair...Cowboys fans are going to need something to watch this fall
- YuenglingJagr

They have the second best QB in their NFL division.

They have the second best QB in their NFL division.
- jmatchett383

I think you may wanna stick to talking puck.

They have the second best QB in their NFL division.
- jmatchett383

True, if big.

I think you may wanna stick to talking puck.
- Nucker101

I'm sorry, but Carson Wentz, assuming he doesn't crumble into dust when he's nudged slightly, is likely not going to light the world on fire his rookie year. Kirk Cousins is overrated second only to Joe Flacco. Eli Manning is probably the luckiest QB in NFL history, but I'd take him over Sanchez.

I'm sorry, but Carson Wentz, assuming he doesn't crumble into dust when he's nudged slightly, is likely not going to light the world on fire his rookie year. Kirk Cousins is overrated second only to Joe Flacco. Eli Manning is probably the luckiest QB in NFL history, but I'd take him over Sanchez.
- jmatchett383

I'm no Wentz fan, trust me. I also think Eli and Cousins are overrated.


But Dak hasn't played a (frank)ing down in the real NFL, there's a chance he could have a Tyrod Taylor type of season, but to me that still puts him in the Cousins tier at best. Eli is the best QB in the division, after that it's a cluster(frank).

I'm sure than JoeBob in Texas will be excited to see that Shane Gotsbeer did some fruity skating and scored a home run or something against some homos from Russia. TRUCKS AMERICA GUNS!
- jmatchett383

LOL!!!!!!

I'm no Wentz fan, trust me. I also think Eli and Cousins are overrated.


But Dak hasn't played a (frank)ing down in the real NFL, there's a chance he could have a Tyrod Taylor type of season, but to me that still puts him in the Cousins tier at best. Eli is the best QB in the division, after that it's a cluster(frank).
- Nucker101

Sorry, I thought Sanchez was starting, my bad.

Still, is this terrible division, I could see any team besides the Eagles taking it.

Sorry, I thought Sanchez was starting, my bad.

Still, is this terrible division, I could see any team besides the Eagles taking it.
- jmatchett383

It's a joke division for sure. All 4 teams will probably finish somewhere between 6-9 wins.

It's a joke division for sure. All 4 teams will probably finish somewhere between 6-9 wins.
- Nucker101

It will likely come down to best division record.

I'm sorry, but Carson Wentz, assuming he doesn't crumble into dust when he's nudged slightly, is likely not going to light the world on fire his rookie year. Kirk Cousins is overrated second only to Joe Flacco. Eli Manning is probably the luckiest QB in NFL history, but I'd take him over Sanchez.
- jmatchett383

The Eagles are gambling a ton on a guy that didn't play College Football at the highest level last year.

The chances are very good they win no more than 4 games this year.