Confirmed with Link: World Cup of Hockey 2016

[Karlsson2Turris*]

Will be held in Toronto. 8 teams are as follows:

Canada
Czech Republc
Finland
Russia
Sweden
USA
North American Youngstars
Team Europe

Discuss.

@NHL: 8 World Cup of Hockey teams: Canada, United States, Czech Republic, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Team Europe, & Team North American Youngstars

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[Engineer]

North american youngstars... Wtf?

I can't see a team of u23 having any chance vs the other teams. I don't understand that decision.

Otherwise sounds great.

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

I'd be pretty pissed if I were a slovak.

I'm curious if some players will refuse to attend.

 

[HavlatMach9]

I'd be pretty pissed if I were a slovak.

I'm curious if some players will refuse to attend.

if the NHL can suspend them (they would right?), the players wouldn't have an option

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

if the NHL can suspend them (they would right?), the players wouldn't have an option

If that's the case they can always come down with convenient injuries like all the players who don't want to go to the all star game.

 

[Karlsson2Turris*]

if the NHL can suspend them (they would right?), the players wouldn't have an option

They could be "injured" (i.e: Malkin, Crosby "injured" for ASG)

 

[OD99]

This is a joke.

True exhibition and can't imagine anyone but the kids and perhaps the Euro all-stars taking it seriously...

If they want a side show they have it but the young stars effectively ensure that some teams will not ice their best line-up.

 

[PeterSidorkiewicz]

I like it, it will be fun hockey to watch. I'm also not a very nationalistic individual so the different teams don't bother me at all. Its like HF will have their own team in their tourney, an all 23 and under team? Loads will be blown.

 

[saskriders]

What a gimmick and a joke

 

[StefanW]

I remember really enjoying the Canada Cup games when I was young, so I'm willing to give it a chance. As long as they don't use it to replace participation in the Olympics it is all good.

 

[Sun God Nika]

So this will be the substitute for the Olympics? what if an under 23 Canadian doesn't feel right playing against Canada?

Are KHL players allowed to attend?

 

[Baby Ryan]

I personally find this exciting.

What ever the flaws are, team naming/distribution, I am still very much looking forward to this

 

[Caeldan]

Lame. An exhibition tournament... I will be upset if this replaces participation in the Olympics.

They should have just played nice with everyone else and added a standard international break mid season.

Year 1: World Cup of Hockey, with all national teams.
Year 2: All Star Gala
Year 3: Olympics
Year 4: All Star Gala

Voila, all star breaks then can be something special. We get best of best tournaments every other year.

Instead now we'll likely lose our only best on best and have yet another exhibition tournament that no one cares about

 

[Novak Djokovic]

This is a terrible ****ing idea. How do you expect the U23's to play against Canada? This is an even bigger joke if it's replacing the Olympics. Also, Slovakia and Switzerland are perfectly capable of providing a challenge. In 2010, we won in shootout against Swiss and 3-2 against Slovakia.

 

[Back in Black]

So this will be the substitute for the Olympics? what if an under 23 Canadian doesn't feel right playing against Canada?

Are KHL players allowed to attend?

I hope not, and doubt it. As much as winning a Cup medal would be exciting, it would be more of an honour to win an Olympic medal, and thankfully being 2 years apart from the Olympics is a good sign.

If KHL is allowed in the Olympics, they should be allowed here to.

Love it! It was great seeing it here in Ottawa in 2004 in the pre-tournament.

 

[saskriders]

Lame. An exhibition tournament... I will be upset if this replaces participation in the Olympics.

They should have just played nice with everyone else and added a standard international break mid season.

Year 1: World Cup of Hockey, with all national teams.
Year 2: All Star Gala
Year 3: Olympics
Year 4: All Star Gala

Voila, all star breaks then can be something special. We get best of best tournaments every other year.

Instead now we'll likely lose our only best on best and have yet another exhibition tournament that no one cares about

I would rather see

World Cup
World Championship
Olympics
World Championship

To get NHL players in the WC the NHL moves their schedule forward 2 or three weeks, and the IIHF pushes the WC back 2 or 3 weeks.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDoo]

....

As long as they don't use it to replace participation in the Olympics it is all good.

But surely all they are doing is trying to find a way to replace Olympic participation?

 

[DrEasy]

too gimmicky; not interested.

 

[PeterSidorkiewicz]

Olympics on large ice is incredibly boring compared to smaller ice. These past Olympics were terrible. If the World Cup is on NHL ice always ill be happy.

 

[Do Make Say Think]

Well the U23 and Europe teams are going to be non-factors

Still could be fun

 

[vdB]

Everything is fine if those young guys are all rejects from their respective country. they probably arent though

 

[QuietOnTheFront]

Just another NHL money grab.

 

[Sun God Nika]

Olympics on large ice is incredibly boring compared to smaller ice. These past Olympics were terrible. If the World Cup is on NHL ice always ill be happy.

The olympics would have been funner if Sweden didn't lose its top 3 centres... 1 of which the IIHF/olympic committee screwed them out over.

The ice was fine, I prefer the big ice every now and then.

 

[PeterSidorkiewicz]

The olympics would have been funner if Sweden didn't lose its top 3 centres... 1 of which the IIHF/olympic committee screwed them out over.

The ice was fine, I prefer the big ice every now and then.

Bleh I thought it was a snooze fest. 2010 was way better and that was every game not just because of the Canada USA matchup. My opinion anyway. I'm okay with bigger ice such as like a foot wider or something but that Olympic size stuff stunk.

 

[QuietOnTheFront]

The olympics would have been funner if Sweden didn't lose its top 3 centres... 1 of which the IIHF/olympic committee screwed them out over.

The ice was fine, I prefer the big ice every now and then.

Not really. I'd say his medical staff screwed him over by not double-checking if his allergy medication contained any banned substances. It did and he took it. The right decision was made to not give a severe sanction and only a reprimand.

Mistakes like these are solely on the player and his training staff who should have caught that. IOC were just doing their job.