There will still be hockey at the olympics. Might just be a different set of players.

For me the more hockey there is the better. Jr hockey still goes on with the world jrs. I don't see why the NHL could go one. But how awesome would it be if they had the world cup all over the world.

Teams ranked 1-4 have two home games. Teams 5-8 have 1 home games. Then have the medal round in a host country (or two).

This is what it could be based on the current world rankings
Group 1:
Sweden (1), Canada (4), Czech(5), Slovakia (8)
Because Sweden is Number 1 they play all there games in Sweden.
Canada plays Czech and Slovakia in Canada
Czech plays Slovakia in Czech

Group 2:
Finland (2), Russia (3), USA (6), Swiss (7)
Because Finland is Number 2 they play all there games in Finland.
Russia plays USA and Swiss in Russia
USA plays Swiss in USA

Metal round takes the top 6 teams. Top 2 get a bye.

Now that would be a tourny!
- tmurph

And for Finland, I bet there happy they'd play all they're games over their!

I did right those write didn't I?

Please tell them to use the best of 3 finals format.
- stljam

This.

This is stupid.

Hockey has gained more exposure with the last two Olympics than it had from any of the World Cups/Canada Cups before it.

Only diehard hockey fans in the states know about the 96 World Cup. Everyone in the states (that watched the Olympics at all) knew about the finals in Vancouver, and Oshie's shootout dramatics this winter.

The Olympics is basically free world wide marketing for the NHL. The World Cup, not so much.

Also, hockey in the summer?

If the NHL decides to do both, fine. As a hockey junkie, I will welcome it. If this tournament is at the expense of the Olympics, then the NHL is a bunch of morons.

Eklund: Long Live the Canada Cup! The World Cup of Hockey Returning 2016?
- Eklund

Long live Canada Cup is right

I will cheer regardless of the competition.

You don't start playing hockey to play for your country. It is just a bonus. You play for the Stanley cup.

However, I love the World Jrs and Olympics.

I say if the players want to play in the olympics they should do so at their own risk. If they get injured they don't get paid.

Instead of a two week break just do a one week break around the all-star game. Tell players they are allowed to go at their own risk and will not get paid for the month.

Everyone wins. The NHL gets to continue showing their games. Some players will lose a million dollars to go play in the games so some of them won't go. However, if you pay the players to play in the world cup then I think we will have a really good showing.
- tmurph

So your plan involves the NHL getting the IOC to change the time of year the Winter Olympics is played. Best of luck!

The Olympic soccer tournament and the World Cup are very different. The World Cup is obviously the biggest deal there is. The Olympics is a 21 and under tournament with each team allowed 4 overage players. night and day.
- Fountain-San

I was wondering why nobody seemed to care about the Olympic soccer tournament. Thanks for this - makes sense. Hockey should do the same - big WC every 4 years during NHL off season and a more 'amateur' tourney in the Olympics.

I was wondering why nobody seemed to care about the Olympic soccer tournament. Thanks for this - makes sense. Hockey should do the same - big WC every 4 years during NHL off season and a more 'amateur' tourney in the Olympics.
- 1979AD

this is what i'd like to see as well.

I was wondering why nobody seemed to care about the Olympic soccer tournament. Thanks for this - makes sense. Hockey should do the same - big WC every 4 years during NHL off season and a more 'amateur' tourney in the Olympics.
- 1979AD

I'd be happy with that.

I'd be happy with that.
- YzermanIsTheMan

I bet you would

I bet you would
- glove_was_stuck

I bet you would bet he would

I bet you would
- glove_was_stuck

good to see simmonds kick the poopity-poop-poop-poo out of holzer

Any Bailey rumors?

Any Bailey rumors?
- mighty13duck

ace bailey for holzer and a 4th

This is possibly great news. that 1996 World Cup was some of the best hockey Ive ever seen.

I also hope they play it in August.
- MBFlyerfan

2004 WC was awesome as well but the 1987 Canada Cup was likely the best display of hockey so far.

good to see simmonds kick the poopity-poop-poop-poo out of holzer
- Flyfreaky

Anytime a Leaf gets the poopity-poop-poop-poo kicked out them it's a good thing.

I bet you would bet he would
- Streit2ThePoint

Double or nothing!

Anytime a Leaf gets the poopity-poop-poop-poo kicked out them it's a good thing.
- glove_was_stuck

hot diggity dog

hot diggity dog
- Flyfreaky

Ha-cha-cha-cha-chaaaaaa

Ha-cha-cha-cha-chaaaaaa
- glove_was_stuck

sis-boom-bah in shangri-la

sis-boom-bah in shangri-la
- Flyfreaky

Nyuck-Nyuck-Nyuck

Nyuck-Nyuck-Nyuck
- glove_was_stuck

hi-ho-hi-ho, it's off to hb we go

hi-ho-hi-ho, it's off to hb we go
- Flyfreaky

AAAAAAAH Wakka Wakka Wakkaaaaaa

The 1996 WC and the recent Olympics were popular in the States because Team USA performed. One could argue that they were the 2nd best team in Sochi but were too gassed after their semi final loss to Canada to compete against the Finns. (Let's take nothing away from the Finns....they were good.)
A WC in 2016 will generate lots of revenue, interest, and exposure for the NHL and help to grow hockey in the States since a majority of the games will be played there.
There's nothing but positives!!

AAAAAAAH Wakka Wakka Wakkaaaaaa
- glove_was_stuck

snickity-doodle-dee-doodle-polly-wag-a-poodle

snickity-doodle-dee-doodle-polly-wag-a-poodle
- Flyfreaky