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

My man, you know I love you but this is a great idea. I look forward to it immensely.

I honestly can't believe there's backlash over this. So much better than seeing Canada defeat every country 9-1.

My man, you know I love you but this is a great idea. I look forward to it immensely.

I honestly can't believe there's backlash over this. So much better than seeing Canada defeat every country 9-1.
- James_Tanner

This.

So much anger...

Listen, it's an NHL tournament. They want to feature as much NHL talent as they can. Where does most of that talent come from? North America. Hence three NA teams. I for one would rather see a viable alternative like this where we get to see all world players like Kopitar and this is the best way to do that.

The regular IIHF world tourney will still have all the team's you want. The Olympics will also follow your desired format.

I think we're going to see great hockey with this format and that's all that should matter.

So much anger...

Listen, it's an NHL tournament. They want to feature as much NHL talent as they can. Where does most of that talent come from? North America. Hence three NA teams. I for one would rather see a viable alternative like this where we get to see all world players like Kopitar and this is the best way to do that.

The regular IIHF world tourney will still have all the team's you want. The Olympics will also follow your desired format.

I think we're going to see great hockey with this format and that's all that should matter.
- Routs

Ha, yea I'm a little heated on it. I really would love to see the game grow at the international level and I had a lot of hopes with it.

That's my number one issue with it. Don't package it as an international "World Cup" tournament, and then pander it to your NHL players. If it's going to be a world cup, and you are going to say that you want it to be similar to the FIFA or FIBA World Cup...don't do this.

My man, you know I love you but this is a great idea. I look forward to it immensely.

I honestly can't believe there's backlash over this. So much better than seeing Canada defeat every country 9-1.
- James_Tanner

Totally can see the fear in that happening. Still think it should be expanded though. Like Streit said, this should be about national teams, not the NHL.

Totally can see the fear in that happening. Still think it should be expanded though.
- Jason_Lewis

I think they want to make this tournament as competitive as possible. I think it's gonna be awesome watching team full of kids like Seth Jones, Trouba, McDavid, MacKinnon, Ekblad, Drouin, Eichel, etc. play together. It's like a WJC all star team on steroids.

I love it..

Back in the 70s or 80s or whenever it was they had weird tournaments as well that would look absolutely gimmicky nowadays and we still celebrate them today!

Thing is..you cant have an international tournament with 16 teams if you only have the same 4-5 legitimate contenders every time..this isn't soccer.

Everybody who watches hockey knows Canada is the best at it..they've made their point..time to up the competition.

Canada wants more competitive hockey..which will make the games that much more entertaining..I would love to see the 23 and under NA team take Canada to overtime!

Horrible format. I hope it fails miserably. I hope they don't make $50.00. I can't wait NOT to watch it. I have ZERO interest in this now. It's a slap in the face to the countries and the players that will have to play for the European Union. Players from all countries take pride in playing for THEIR country not some gimmick created by the NHL.

Totally can see the fear in that happening. Still think it should be expanded though. Like Streit said, this should be about national teams, not the NHL.
- Jason_Lewis

Exactly because Streit want to play for the Swiss not some Euopean team.

Horrible format. I hope it fails miserably. I hope they don't make $50.00. I can't wait NOT to watch it. I have ZERO interest in this now. It's a slap in the face to the countries and the players that will have to play for the European Union. Players from all countries take pride in playing for THEIR country not some gimmick created by the NHL.
- RobFlyers#1

Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC · 4h 4 hours ago
The "rest of Europe" and "Under-23 North American" teams are expected to be a one-time phenomenon.

Relax buddy.

Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC · 4h 4 hours ago
The "rest of Europe" and "Under-23 North American" teams are expected to be a one-time phenomenon.

Relax buddy.
- rangerdanger94

Relax. Yes dad. That's my opinion. You don't like it. You know where you can go.

Relax. Yes dad. That's my opinion. You don't like it. You know where you can go.
- RobFlyers#1

Did you not read the tweet I just posted? The U23 team and Rest of Europe team is a one time thing. It will be exactly the way you want it starting 2020.

Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC · 4h 4 hours ago
The "rest of Europe" and "Under-23 North American" teams are expected to be a one-time phenomenon.

Relax buddy.
- rangerdanger94

This is good news. I still like the inclusion of said teams even if it expands. Like I said, maybe do a pre tournament thing with them playing each other. Would be lopsided but still fun.

I'll edit to include this tweet. Thanks!

This is good news. I still like the inclusion of said teams even if it expands. Like I said, maybe do a pre tournament thing with them playing each other. Would be lopsided but still fun.

I'll edit to include this tweet. Thanks!
- Jason_Lewis

No problem. I think it's a cool idea because it's the only time we'll ever see anything like this.

You mentioned it's odd that Kopitar is in support of this. But his country wouldn't even have been in the tournament if they didn't include these 2 all star teams. The 2 teams dropped were Switzerland and Slovakia. Players from all those countries you mentioned like Slovenia, France, Belarus, Slovakia, Latvia, etc. will still participate in the tournament, just on a much more talent-concentrated team with each other. It will be pretty cool to see.

Did you not read the tweet I just posted? The U23 team and Rest of Europe team is a one time thing. It will be exactly the way you want it starting 2020.
- rangerdanger94

Doesn't change the fact that it's a stupid idea. Great it won't be that way in 2020..... so what. I would be just as content if they didn't have it at all. Let the Olympics be the only true best on best every four years. You must know players would rather play for their country than some gimmick team be it only once or not. I hope the players from those European countries decide not to take part and keep their summer vacation extended.

Doesn't change the fact that it's a stupid idea. Great it won't be that way in 2020..... so what. I would be just as content if they didn't have it at all. Let the Olympics be the only true best on best every four years. You must know players would rather play for their country than some gimmick team be it only once or not. I hope the players from those European countries decide not to take part and keep their summer vacation extended.
- RobFlyers#1

I think players would prefer to play in the tournament period over not playing at all. The countries like Latvia and Slovenia did not qualify for the original 8 teams before they replaced the worst 2 teams, Switzerland and Slovakia, with the all-star teams.

This is the only time we'll ever be able to see something like this, so again, I think it's cool. The IIHF World Championships and Olympics are exactly what you want to see. What's the point of having 3 tournaments that are exactly the same? And even still, we will have 3 tournaments that are exactly the same starting 2020.

And it's not a FACT that it's a stupid idea. That's your OPINION.

Kinda gimmicky but how can you hate the idea that much if you are a hockey fan. Its going to be more competitive hockey than the Olympics and the best International players not from big European nations such as Kopitar will finally get a chance to play on a big International stage. The kids are going to love getting a chance to play together and show the older guys that they can play with the best of the best. Let's see how it plays out before making ridiculous judgements.

Rest of Europe team potential lineup:
Gaborik - Kopitar - Hossa
Tatar - Grabovski - Vanek
Zuccarello - Eller - Boedker
Roussel - Draisatl - Girgensons
Nino, Jurco, Nielsen, Kopecky, etc.

Chara - Sekera
Josi - Erhoff
Seidenberg - Streit/Sbisa


Halak
Andersen
Hiller
Berra

Kinda gimmicky but how can you hate the idea that much if you are a hockey fan. Its going to be more competitive hockey than the Olympics and the best International players not from big European nations such as Kopitar will finally get a chance to play on a big International stage. The kids are going to love getting a chance to play together and show the older guys that they can play with the best of the best. Let's see how it plays out before making ridiculous judgements.
- martinob

But not for his country though, which is extremely important to these guys.

I think players would prefer to play in the tournament period over not playing at all. The countries like Latvia and Slovenia did not qualify for the original 8 teams before they replaced the worst 2 teams, Switzerland and Slovakia, with the all-star teams.

This is the only time we'll ever be able to see something like this, so again, I think it's cool. The IIHF World Championships and Olympics are exactly what you want to see. What's the point of having 3 tournaments that are exactly the same? And even still, we will have 3 tournaments that are exactly the same starting 2020.

And it's not a FACT that it's a stupid idea. That's your OPINION.
- rangerdanger94

Same as you thinking its cool is your OPINION and not FACT? Who said it had to be only 8 teams? If they can make gimmick teams they can expand the number of teams. The World Championships is a tier 2 tournament most NHL players do not take part in this due to playoffs or just plain not wanting to. The U.S have used college players at this tournament in recent years because their top players have said No. The Olympics..... It's the Olympics best on best. These European countries that you talk about have gotten a lot better in the last decade and have closed the gap. It use to be 20-1 it's not like that now. Slovenia actually had a great showing at the 2014 Olympics I think they finished 7th so that's pretty good with one NHLer.

But not for his country though, which is extremely important to these guys.
- Jason_Lewis

They have a chance to actually win gold though. That's pretty cool.

And again, it's only 8 teams. So he wouldn't be able to play for his country because his country wouldn't be in it.

Same as you thinking its cool is your OPINION and not FACT? Who said it had to be only 8 teams? If they can make gimmick teams they can expand the number of teams. The World Championships is a tier 2 tournament most NHL players do not take part in this due to playoffs or just plain not wanting to. The U.S have used college players at this tournament in recent years because their top players have said No. The Olympics..... It's the Olympics best on best. These European countries that you talk about have gotten a lot better in the last decade and have closed the gap. It use to be 20-1 it's not like that now. Slovenia actually had a great showing at the 2014 Olympics I think they finished 7th so that's pretty good with one NHLer.
- RobFlyers#1

It's 8 teams to keep the parity and competition up. I'm pretty sure the tournament happens close to preseason or during preseason, right? So it has to be short, too.

Again, relax. It's going to the exact format you want in 2020.

But not for his country though, which is extremely important to these guys.
- Jason_Lewis

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.

Also, kids in Slovenia who love Anze would be able to watch him play on the big stage and maybe inspire more kids to play in the country. Whether he is playing for Slovenia or the European Allstars he is still going to be supported by his whole country and he is still representing Slovenia.

It's 8 teams to keep the parity and competition up. I'm pretty sure the tournament happens close to preseason or during preseason, right? So it has to be short, too.

Again, relax. It's going to the exact format you want in 2020.
- rangerdanger94

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.