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Hotstove: Should There Be Another Young Guns Team At The Next World Cup?

September 24, 2016, 10:58 AM ET [38 Comments]
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In this edition we discuss whether the Team North America 23-and-under team should be a one and done situation or if they should stick around moving forward.

Todd Cordell

Team North America was an absolute joy to watch but I don't want to see them return to the next World Cup unless the NHL allows players to go to the Olympics, which seems unlikely at this point. I love best on best international tournaments. If the Olympics are no longer going to be a stage for that then I would like to see the World Cup fill that void.

If the NHL continues to allow players to participate at the Olympics, and I can get my international fix that way, I have no problem with the gimmicky North American 23-and-under team returning to the next World Cup. That said, I'd still prefer to see Connor McDavid, Johnny Gaudreau, Auston Matthews and co. representing their actual countries so we can see a true best on best and they actually have something to play for.

Peter Tessier

In a minute, no sooner. Wait can we just get this team in the NHL? Can't do that they might be better than all the others.

Here's the thing for the WCoH with me- it's still a gimmick. I'd prefer it to be the Canada Cup and let all comers come and take a shot at the best. I think that name amped it up more than World Cup but the NA under 24 team made it that much more interesting and yes it's a gimmick but it's a gimmick within a bigger gimmick.

Look at things this way, what's going to draw more interest in the tournament- taking the team out and adding a different European team? Nope and no disrespect intended. That was fun, fresh creative and exciting hockey that is so rarely seen in the NHL. Having that team should be the catalyst for theNHL to fix the game so we see more of that style and less of the drudgery we get year after year.

Jason Lewis

As much as I liked it, a traditional WORLD CUP should include teams like Switzerland, Slovakia, France, Germany, Denmark, etc. etc.

This is where the sport grows. Not with a showcase of young North American talent, but as a showcase of world talent, to teams that are perhaps less prominent than their cross-Atlantic neighbors. Part of the beauty of a world cup is seeing players strive to compete for their nation and national pride at the highest stage. As much fun as it was to watch that North America team play, it probably means more to the sport to open the field up to other nations first and foremost in an effort to build the sport in new and upcoming markets.

James Tanner

Yes. Unequivocally. Why would anyone hate fun? Really, who cares how they pick teams? The made up teams are as good as anyone but canada and sweden, so why replace them with punching bags like Switzerland?

If the point is best on best, then made up teams are an obvious soulution to the talent disparity between countries.

I say go 1 step further: Canada vs the World, 7 game series. Once every four years.

Adam French

I would love to see the U23/24 whatever team again next year, but probably not for the reasons of others. They played dumpster fire hockey and it was flat out fun to watch. All speed, all attack, all balls to the walls offense. No structure and no patience, simply one speed of play and a heightened one at that.

This isn't to say they played poorly, because they didn't, it's just to underline that they are easily the most exhibiting team because the brand of hockey they play has none of the conservatism that other teams employ to try to win.

Canada brings structure to their system, if you don't fit the structure, you don't play.

The Swedes play with extreme structure and have a balanced play to suit their style which is often led by slower forwards and faster defenders.

The Finns when successful play some of the most infuriating defensive hockey you'll ever see to overcompensate for their weakness on the back end.

The USA has made a name for themselves at the younger levels of competition for their pure chemistry and ability to augment what is a fantastic development program with stars that are "abroad" (CHL generally, but sometimes other USHL squads).

The Russians FOR YEARS played the NA style of pure run and gun reckless hockey and it made them the jokes of international hockey to be blunt. As we've seen through the U18's and U20's, the Russian coaching staff have layered a commitment to the team game sprinkled with one or two rogue stars. This has made them highly competitive at those levels and ousting several Team Canada's that couldn't figure out what the hell they were trying to construct.

Structure wins you games more often than not...but it's a drag to watch. I say bring back NA and bring back the wild and wacky ride that is 600 2 on 1's and MacKinnon's in front of the goalie on a 3 vs 3 that really was the worst place he could be if not for Gaudreau's magic. Seriously, look at that play. NA was caught on a 3 on 1 if Johnny Hockey isn't a magician. You can never take away from what was the filthiest deke I've seen since Granlund did that behind the net thing at the WC's years ago, but, and this is the big butt, 9 times out of 10 that lack of structure and positioning leads to Sweden winning.

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