HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Hotstove: Do You Like The New World Cup Format?

I like the All Europe team, but the U-23 team is meh for me. Feels like they could have gone in another direction but regardless of what the last team could have been, it would have been another gimmick

An all snub team from the Big 6 teams would have been pretty funny

If Canadian and American fans have to cheer against players from their own country, your format is stupid

If Canadian and American fans have to cheer against players from their own country, your format is stupid
- DoubleDown

The U-23 team will do just that.

I think the whole "this is such an awful system" thing is vastly overblown. I've read several times that the "Best of the rest in Europe" and the NA Young stars team is a one and done thing, regardless. It's a shame when Vanek of Austria, or Kopitar of Slovenia don't make it to a competition that is supposed to represent the best players in the world. If it is a national allegiance thing that you are looking for, look no further than the Olympics.

If the NHL plans on having the World Cup of Hockey take place of the Olympics, than it is a mistake and hopefully those changes will be made.

But as of now, it hasn't. Until that time, Olympics is the national tournament that should instill that national pride of playing for your country. Nobody has taken Streit's right to play for his home country, that's what the Olympics are for.

If the NHL looks to replace the Olympics with the World Cup, most certainly due to any discrepancies that the IIHF and NHL may have with scheduling and advertising rights, then I believe that they will make those changes to make it more of an Olympic style tournament.

I just don't understand this huge "up in arms" travesty which seems to be running rampant.

I get why they do it. It will probably make some of the games more watchable. But from the players perspective, I don't know that I'd be on board with it. You want to support your country, not a continent.

I don't see how a u23 team is going to compete with the big boys either. Sure, you'll have some good forwards, and maybe a few good defensemen. But there's not so many great defensemen 23 or younger, and how many goalies are even in the NHL at 23?

I am in full agreement with Mark Streit. The new format is horrendous. First of all, the Team Europe idea is an affront to the candidates for the Swiss, Slovak, German and other national teams. The NHL and NHLPA could not possibly have a sent a clearer "we don't care" message to the NHL players who want to represent these countries or a more obvious show of disrespect to their countries' hockey programs.

Yes, these national teams are underdogs and would have to fill out large segments of their rosters with non-NHL players. That is no doubt why the NHL and NHLPA shut the door on those national teams. They want the tourney to be theirs and theirs alone.

However, here's a little "secret" about the underdog teams: They may be unlikely to win the entire tournament but, any given day, these squads with just a couple NHL players are still capable of coming up with a team-wide effort good enough to topple a team consisting entirely of NHL players.

For example, in the 2006 Olympics, the Swiss shut out the Czech Republic and Canada in back-to-back games. In 2010, the Swiss took Canada to a shootout. In 2014, the Swiss team beat the Czechs again and lost a 1-0 game to Sweden. At the 2013 IIHF World Championships, the Swiss team made it all the way to the gold medal game with an undefeated record -- including wins over NHL-player laden teams from Canada (3-2 shootout), Sweden (3-2 in regulation) and the USA (3-0) -- before losing to the Swedes in the championship game.

Mind you, these were big-rink games played under IIHF rules. Nevertheless, the Swiss national team has earned the right to try its hand at pulling off similar upsets on the small rink under NHL rules. They won't get that chance.

The Slovak team is probably the biggest omission of all. This is a team that has even been in Olympic medal contention a few times -- such as when they beat Sweden (3-0), Russia (5-3) and USA (2-1) en route to going 5-0-0 in the preliminary round at the 2006 Olympics. The Slovak team is not as strong as it was nine or 10 years ago but it did reach the World Championship gold medal game as recently as 2012 and just won a World Junior Championship bronze medal a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Germany has periodically pulled off upsets at international tournaments. I was covering the 2006-07 World Junior Championships in Leksand, Sweden, when the Germans knocked off Team USA (in overtime) and Slovakia in back-to-back games. Back at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, the German team embarrassed a listless Czech team, 7-1, in a game played in Garmisch. As a result, the Germans reached the playoff round and the Czechs got knocked out.

Would Slovakia, Switzerland, Germany or another underdog team pull off a World Cup upset of a top six team in 2016? We'll never know. Instead we will get a lumped-together team that has no built-in identity or anything to represent except themselves.

The "North American Youngsters" is just as ridiculous. If these players can earn spots on Team Canada or Team USA, great. If not, let them work toward it in the future rather than being part of a thrown-together combined team.

Whereas previous World Cup tournaments took place in multiple venues around the world -- including a preliminary round, semifinal and Game One of the finals match in 1996 being held at the then brand-new CoreStates/First Union/Wachovia/Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia -- the 2016 tourney will be held entirely in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre. That is another backward step in my opinion. Other cities and other countries deserve to bring their own atmosphere and a bit of a home-ice advantage. However, I suppose this is consistent with slopping together a Team (Rest of) Europe and a North American (Not Ready for the Senior National Team) Youngsters squad.

I am sure the 2016 World Cup tourney will feature a lot of great hockey. That does not mean it could not and should not have been organized in a more thoughtful way.

I get why they do it. It will probably make some of the games more watchable. But from the players perspective, I don't know that I'd be on board with it. You want to support your country, not a continent.

I don't see how a u23 team is going to compete with the big boys either. Sure, you'll have some good forwards, and maybe a few good defensemen. But there's not so many great defensemen 23 or younger, and how many goalies are even in the NHL at 23?
- CaptCrankypants

To be honest this u23 team seems the most exciting to me. You are going to see mcdavid and eichel together. Drouin and mackinnon. Seth Jones and Aaron Ekblad. Pairings that would be pretty incredible to see against the nhls most elite players.

Goaltending might be the question mark here. This could be a good way to test and prepare some young goalies into becoming a number 1 in the nhl at a much earlier age.

I get why they do it. It will probably make some of the games more watchable. But from the players perspective, I don't know that I'd be on board with it. You want to support your country, not a continent.

I don't see how a u23 team is going to compete with the big boys either. Sure, you'll have some good forwards, and maybe a few good defensemen. But there's not so many great defensemen 23 or younger, and how many goalies are even in the NHL at 23?
- CaptCrankypants

To be honest this u23 team seems the most exciting to me. You are going to see mcdavid and eichel together. Drouin and mackinnon. Seth Jones and Aaron Ekblad. Pairings that would be pretty incredible to see against the nhls most elite players.

Goaltending might be the question mark here. This could be a good way to test and prepare some young goalies into becoming a number 1 in the nhl at a much earlier age.

Look at the idea of the U-23 team. Up front they'll be able to compete. Guys like Strome, Mackinnon, Johansen, Toffoli, Monahan, Galchenyuk, Saad etc. On Defense and in net the team turns into a joke, especially with the goal tending.

Look at the idea of the U-23 team. Up front they'll be able to compete. Guys like Strome, Mackinnon, Johansen, Toffoli, Monahan, Galchenyuk, Saad etc. On Defense and in net the team turns into a joke, especially with the goal tending.
- tomburton99

While goaltending will probably end up being garbage on the surface. Some guys in the AHL under 23 look NHL ready but unable to get the job. Vasilevsky (A North American rookie), Subban (Behind Rask), Hellebyuck (Behind Hutchinson for young prodigy), might be their moment to shine? (I know Vasy can't play sadly )

While goaltending will probably end up being garbage on the surface. Some guys in the AHL under 23 look NHL ready but unable to get the job. Vasilevsky (A North American rookie), Subban (Behind Rask), Hellebyuck (Behind Hutchinson for young prodigy), might be their moment to shine? (I know Vasy can't play sadly )
- AdamFrench

Technically that u-23 could add Seguin, I just assumed he'd be on team Canada.

I think they should pay out like the large invitational football or cricket tourneys where they are playing for tens of millions of dollars. Huge purse to the winning team.

Look at the idea of the U-23 team. Up front they'll be able to compete. Guys like Strome, Mackinnon, Johansen, Toffoli, Monahan, Galchenyuk, Saad etc. On Defense and in net the team turns into a joke, especially with the goal tending.
- tomburton99

The D wont be as bad, Hamilton, Ekblad, Seth Jones, Morgan Rielly, Trouba, Ceci, Maybe guys like Nurse, G Reinhart, Morrissey, Pouliot or Dumba are knocking at the door next season to fill up the rest.

The D wont be as bad, Hamilton, Ekblad, Seth Jones, Morgan Rielly, Trouba, Ceci, Maybe guys like Nurse, G Reinhart, Morrissey, Pouliot or Dumba are knocking at the door next season to fill up the rest.
- DDM-Coga

Talent wise they are fine. But you're talking about very guys going up against veterans. I just don't see how it works to their advantage.

Talent wise they are fine. But you're talking about very guys going up against veterans. I just don't see how it works to their advantage.
- tomburton99

Depends how you use the kids, thats a coaching issue. Thats a back end full of smooth skating pucking moving Dmen on an NHL size ice. It won't be a grind it down/lock down style with them. They will be fast and entertaining with that forward group.

Skill will be displayed not necessarily built to win a tournament. And if the NHL is running this event, don't they want to show case their best young talent in an effort to drive up profit and sales.

Talent wise they are fine. But you're talking about very guys going up against veterans. I just don't see how it works to their advantage.
- tomburton99

One would hope youthful insanity. I'd imagine the members will be looking to nail the tournament to show why they should be on their respective national squads.

One would hope youthful insanity. I'd imagine the members will be looking to nail the tournament to show why they should be on their respective national squads.
- AdamFrench

Exactly.

Veterans who already have Olympic medals in their trophy cases might see this as a second tier exhibition tourney, but young guys looking to move up the national depth chart could relish the opportunity.

That youthful enthusiasm could really raise the bar as far as intensity and improve the whole tournament.

I am in full agreement with Mark Streit. The new format is horrendous. First of all, the Team Europe idea is an affront to the candidates for the Swiss, Slovak, German and other national teams. The NHL and NHLPA could not possibly have a sent a clearer "we don't care" message to the NHL players who want to represent these countries or a more obvious show of disrespect to their countries' hockey programs.

Yes, these national teams are underdogs and would have to fill out large segments of their rosters with non-NHL players. That is no doubt why the NHL and NHLPA shut the door on those national teams. They want the tourney to be theirs and theirs alone.

However, here's a little "secret" about the underdog teams: They may be unlikely to win the entire tournament but, any given day, these squads with just a couple NHL players are still capable of coming up with a team-wide effort good enough to topple a team consisting entirely of NHL players.

For example, in the 2006 Olympics, the Swiss shut out the Czech Republic and Canada in back-to-back games. In 2010, the Swiss took Canada to a shootout. In 2014, the Swiss team beat the Czechs again and lost a 1-0 game to Sweden. At the 2013 IIHF World Championships, the Swiss team made it all the way to the gold medal game with an undefeated record -- including wins over NHL-player laden teams from Canada (3-2 shootout), Sweden (3-2 in regulation) and the USA (3-0) -- before losing to the Swedes in the championship game.

Mind you, these were big-rink games played under IIHF rules. Nevertheless, the Swiss national team has earned the right to try its hand at pulling off similar upsets on the small rink under NHL rules. They won't get that chance.

The Slovak team is probably the biggest omission of all. This is a team that has even been in Olympic medal contention a few times -- such as when they beat Sweden (3-0), Russia (5-3) and USA (2-1) en route to going 5-0-0 in the preliminary round at the 2006 Olympics. The Slovak team is not as strong as it was nine or 10 years ago but it did reach the World Championship gold medal game as recently as 2012 and just won a World Junior Championship bronze medal a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Germany has periodically pulled off upsets at international tournaments. I was covering the 2006-07 World Junior Championships in Leksand, Sweden, when the Germans knocked off Team USA (in overtime) and Slovakia in back-to-back games. Back at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, the German team embarrassed a listless Czech team, 7-1, in a game played in Garmisch. As a result, the Germans reached the playoff round and the Czechs got knocked out.

Would Slovakia, Switzerland, Germany or another underdog team pull off a World Cup upset of a top six team in 2016? We'll never know. Instead we will get a lumped-together team that has no built-in identity or anything to represent except themselves.

The "North American Youngsters" is just as ridiculous. If these players can earn spots on Team Canada or Team USA, great. If not, let them work toward it in the future rather than being part of a thrown-together combined team.

Whereas previous World Cup tournaments took place in multiple venues around the world -- including a preliminary round, semifinal and Game One of the finals match in 1996 being held at the then brand-new CoreStates/First Union/Wachovia/Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia -- the 2016 tourney will be held entirely in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre. That is another backward step in my opinion. Other cities and other countries deserve to bring their own atmosphere and a bit of a home-ice advantage. However, I suppose this is consistent with slopping together a Team (Rest of) Europe and a North American (Not Ready for the Senior National Team) Youngsters squad.

I am sure the 2016 World Cup tourney will feature a lot of great hockey. That does not mean it could not and should not have been organized in a more thoughtful way.
- bmeltzer

The problem is that they're calling it a World Cup and presenting it as an international tournament. And that's not what this is. This is an all star exhibition event. And I think it's going to be terrible hockey. It will resemble an all star game more than Olympic hockey. I have no issue with this as long as the players go to Korea in 3 years.

How many americans make the N.A squad?

How many americans make the N.A squad?
- munky123

3

I shared my thoughts on this as well

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ext-Big-Gimmick/179/65844

I am not a fan at all. I echo the sentiments of Chiasson and feel like it is an elitist attitude towards smaller nations. So what if they aren't fielding a team as competitive as Canada or Sweden. Has that ever been a problem in the Olympics? Have we ever told a team you can't play because you aren't as good as the best? No.

All these teams want is THE RIGHT to compete. France does not expect to win, but will they compete and make their country proud? Of course. They may even put up a performance like Latvia did against Canada in the Olympics.

This format eliminates that.

Granted, if it all comes to fruition in 2020 as they plan it will be better. This is a lackluster jumping off point though.

No it totally sucks.it's a joke especially the under age 23 team. They should have literally had a team B from Canada instead...

HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Hotstove: Do You Like The New World Cup Format?
- ToddCordellVAN

The only way they could make this worse is if there was an outdoor game as part of it.

Dumb.

Originally from Slovakia, I find it a slap in the face.

NA once again thinking its the king of the hockey world, along with the NHL. Which I suppose they may be, but the arrogance is off-putting and kind of typical.

I'm going to laugh seeing the jerseys and what the hell the anthem would be.