Nope you got it wrong. Think about the Olympics, there are always teams who are crap.

This setup makes all teams competitive and gives players from random Euro countries a chance to win instead of suck.

And gives a chance for young USA and Canada players who are way better than half the players in the olympics but will never make it because of Canada's depth and even(but lesser) the USA depth.

I mean in this tourney only McDavid from that roster would be on Canada. States might bring along Eichel and a couple others.
- Njuice

Your last paragraph proves that Canada and USA start the tournament at a disadvantage. That's BS.

Who cares about competitiveness? The tournaments are about pride in your country. Which is the best hockey nation? Not a single person will be passionate for NA-U23 or Europe-other. I'd much rather have Slovakia and Latvia. Slovakia is a solid squad that gives the elite teams trouble all the time. And Latvia...you never know when you're gonna run into a hot Gudlevskis. Most importantly, both these countries have passionate fans!

NA-U23 and Europe-other are pure gimmicks. Nothing more. The real hockey heavyweight champ is decided in the Olympics, not in gimmicky, money-grab, poser tournaments.

oh
- Fruitcakenipple

Henry

Marner with the awesome pass for the 3rd assist.

I just flagged my own post.. lol... WTF... anyways Marner is a passer...Matthews a shooter... Bingo Bango....top 2....JVR on the Wing.. and you got a Deadly 1A Line.. lol...

Marner

Thats why he passes... its just so beautiful

Well our head scout hunter is part owner of the Knights and I think his brother is coach/owner/everything. Parsons is a sick goalie. If he's available at our 60 and 61 pick we will take him.

Apparently he's the 3rd rated goalie in draft. Not sure if that's NA and Europe or just NA. I don't think we'll spend our 30th or 31st on a goalie. It's too risky and lengthy these days. The top goalie prospect almost never becomes an elite goalie. Price and FLeury were the last ones.

In fact, Bernier was the first goalie picked in his draft at 13th overall.

But yes. Parsons is amazing.
- Njuice

Bernier was drafted 11th.

Vasilevsky looks like a great goalie.

I was obviously being sarcastic.

Parsons with Washington's pick.

and that's why marner passes. "Jones is there for the easy tap-in"

oh
- Fruitcakenipple

70th... post WHOOOT
- figgs1979

Congrats.. u win these..

Saw that Perron guy sitting on his ass while Marner scored his 3 apple?!?!

Marner

Thats why he passes... its just so beautiful
- Arctic_AARDVARK

"I've seen better from McPerron."


- tuna/spatso

Bernier was drafted 11th.

Vasilevsky looks like a great goalie.

I was obviously being sarcastic.

Parsons with Washington's pick.
- Steven_Seagull

I'm hoping we take Max Jones

Congrats.. u win these..


- Fruitcakenipple

Damn, these would come in handy.

No homo. I'm saying they'd be good for poopting in public toilets, as you'd get partial cheek protection.

I'm hoping we take Max Jones
- Santo_44

Pitt's pick?

Your last paragraph proves that Canada and USA start the tournament at a disadvantage. That's BS.

Who cares about competitiveness? The tournaments are about pride in your country. Which is the best hockey nation? Not a single person will be passionate for NA-U23 or Europe-other. I'd much rather have Slovakia and Latvia. Slovakia is a solid squad that gives the elite teams trouble all the time. And Latvia...you never know when you're gonna run into a hot Gudlevskis. Most importantly, both these countries have passionate fans!

NA-U23 and Europe-other are pure gimmicks. Nothing more. The real hockey heavyweight champ is decided in the Olympics, not in gimmicky, money-grab, poser tournaments.
- domi_legend

They are designed to get the players in the game and make all the teams competitive. Not having McDavid is not going to make a big difference for Canada.

THe random euro countries will all support the Team Europe - but the casual fan who would normally be hardcore(see Hungary at the worlds) might not care. It's a trade off. Competitive hockey vs National Pride for countries who can't really compete.

Congrats.. u win these..


- Fruitcakenipple

I have a blue one. Go Leafs.

Damn, these would come in handy.

No homo. I'm saying they'd be good for poopting in public toilets, as you'd get partial cheek protection.
- domi_legend

Agreed..

I wonder if the refs are going to call any penalties the other way.

Bernier was drafted 11th.

Vasilevsky looks like a great goalie.

I was obviously being sarcastic.

Parsons with Washington's pick.
- Steven_Seagull

lol F I'm dumb. Didn't catch the sarcasm. That would be sweet. But I'd take him 61 instead of 60. "Youre just a 3rd rounder dude, no pressure like if you were the 2nd rounder" even though its the exact same pick.

Your last paragraph proves that Canada and USA start the tournament at a disadvantage. That's BS.

Who cares about competitiveness? The tournaments are about pride in your country. Which is the best hockey nation? Not a single person will be passionate for NA-U23 or Europe-other. I'd much rather have Slovakia and Latvia. Slovakia is a solid squad that gives the elite teams trouble all the time. And Latvia...you never know when you're gonna run into a hot Gudlevskis. Most importantly, both these countries have passionate fans!

NA-U23 and Europe-other are pure gimmicks. Nothing more. The real hockey heavyweight champ is decided in the Olympics, not in gimmicky, money-grab, poser tournaments.
- domi_legend

The tourney is the NHL trying to get its players out of the olympics.. They want to showcase all their good players.. Its going to be watched by hockey fans not fair weather sports fans who tune into olympic hockey.. it is a money grab.. it is lame.. just dont watch it if it bothers you. Im not.

lol F I'm dumb. Didn't catch the sarcasm. That would be sweet. But I'd take him 61 instead of 60. "Youre just a 3rd rounder dude, no pressure like if you were the 2nd rounder" even though its the exact same pick.
- Njuice

They are designed to get the players in the game and make all the teams competitive. Not having McDavid is not going to make a big difference for Canada.

THe random euro countries will all support the Team Europe - but the casual fan who would normally be hardcore(see Hungary at the worlds) might not care. It's a trade off. Competitive hockey vs National Pride for countries who can't really compete.
- Njuice

At the end of the day its sports, anything can happen. Slovakia nearly beat us in 2010, yet they are not in this tournament. I don't care about seeing more competitive hockey in global tournaments if it means adding gimmicks. I'd rather see a blowout, as long as it's nation vs nation, with passionate fans on both sides who would kill to see their team win. It's about seeing which country is the best at the sport, not to watch a competitive hockey game. We have the NHL for that.

And imagine, for example, Team Europe wins. Are there gonna be celebrations in every country in Europe? Of course not, nobody will care. Same with NA-U23. These are gimmicks plain and simple.

Shouldn't Damien Cox be on a tennis panel or something?

The tourney is the NHL trying to get its players out of the olympics.. They want to showcase all their good players.. Its going to be watched by hockey fans not fair weather sports fans who tune into olympic hockey.. it is a money grab.. it is lame.. just dont watch it if it bothers you. Im not.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

It's extremely lame. Pure gimmick, pure money grab. I'll probably tune in cause I love cheering for team Canada... but it isn't a real tournament.

(frank) the greedy NHL execs. Olympics are where it's at. Luckily there are patriotic players like Ovechkin who won't take no for an answer when it comes to participation at the Olympics. That could help.

Shouldn't Damien Cox be on a tennis panel or something?
- ErectileReptile

Raonic filed a restraining order against the talking Cox.