2005 World Championships in Austria: Best v.s Best?

If the entire NHL season is locked out that would mean that the best players in the world would be available to play in April/May 2005. Finally, this tournament would be a true World Championships.

Consider it the European hosted World Cup of Hockey.

 

HOLY TOLEDO! I was thinking about starting a thread just like this!!!


Anyway, it would be great if this will happen but with players playing in leagues that are scattered across the winds, it's hard to see if the certain leagues the players are in will allow them to do so.

 

I'm wondering if the players would refuse to play because of no CBA with the NHL? Does the CBA affect players insurance?

Maybe only those players who choose to play in Europe this season will play in the World Championships?

So Canada could send a "dream team" to the World Championships or it could end up sending its D team.

 

I don't think the NHL would have anything to do with it. The IIHF would have everything covered so they wouldn't miss an opportunity like this, I'm sure.

 

Whoa....guys, hold your horses!

I was thinking about this for many months now, but then I read this:

source: iihf.com

Most of the leagues in the World will be done in time for the World Championships...except for the AHL.

 

I don't know what Fasel is talking about, there have been teams in WCs with more salary than the NY Rangers. Most of the players in top teams are NHL guys anyways, and not exactly cheap ones either.

One thing is for sure though, I already feel bad for Denmark, Austria, etc.

 

So we're going to have to defend our title in another best on best tournament in less than a year from now???!!! I was thinking two years of complacency at least... Just kidding! If there is no NHL, that will be awesome. Bring it on!

 

If they couldn't afford the insurance for all the players, how would they decide who gets to play?

Would they have to impose an "insurance cap" on each country?

 

Good point i would say...i was wondering the same thing.

 

That's pretty funny.

But would the players agree to play under those conditions? No cap means no cap.

 

as great as it sounds, i'm fully confident the players would find an excuse not to play

 

Gotta give time for those bed sores to heal

 

Looks like it's going to be a best-on-best