World Cup - back, with a twist?

[Pitts]

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/repor ... condition/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can't decide if I would like that format or not. Basically, the explanation makes sense and would give the NHL the ability to show-off ALL it's star players. But then, is it REALLY a World Cup?

[mikey287]

I've seen children vomit better ideas than that.

So you don't want to go to the Olympics...? Fine. But you want to keep a best-on-best tournament? Fine. Except, your best-on-best tournament isn't that, it's just a random mish mash of exhibition parts that no one will be the least bit interested in...

Look at the 1996 World Cup and then go from there...it's not hard...

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

I agree, it ruins it.

[pcm]

I don't mind the "best players from all the other countries on one team" idea, but the best young players idea is bad. If they really need to get to 8 teams, maybe US and Canada field A and B squads? It'd be more exciting than having slovakia and germany as sacrifical lambs.

[mikey287]

The USA can barely field an A squad. Much less a second.

16 countries, four groups, top two from each group play in a tournament. The final is a best of 3.

[Idoit40fans]

The USA can barely field an A squad.

Wat?

This is npr not the "futbol" thread.

[mikey287]

I mean, really, we have a mid-tier roster. A second team would be a disaster...

Parise-Pavelski-Kane
MaxPac-Stastny-Kessel
JVR-Stepan-Wheeler
Brown-Kesler-Backes

Suter-Shattenkirk
McDonagh-Martin
Fowler-Carlson

Quick
Miller

That's Team A with its extras...what is Team B?

Ryan-Smith-Okposo
Foligno-Johnson-Pominville
Saad-Bonino-Byfuglien
Kreider-Galchenyuk-Atkinson

Yandle-Greene
Niskanen-Leddy
Goligoski-Johnson

Bishop
Schneider

Yeah, hold on, let me dry my pants, that is a great lineup...I mean, I'm sure I'm missing a couple guys, but those guys would struggle to beat Switzerland or even Germany probably...

[dodint]

For added drama have USA A/B and Canada A/B pick Team Captains that select their teams draft style. The talent is spread around and both teams are diluted so as to put them closer in talent to the rest of the teams. It could work. Maybe.

[mikey287]

I really don't think the USA could be so brash as to make two teams...they aren't that good, they aren't that talented...I'd rather Canada make 3 than the USA make 2...or have Canada go provincial...Team Ontario, Team Rest of Canada, and then each other country...

Or better yet...just have each country have one team...like normal people...

[no name]

The team of all the other nations I really don't feel is going to inspire the players to join it. I mean the idea is your playing for your county is that well your country not you and the others. I do get where they are coming from, it isn't any fun seeing some teams being blown out year after year since those teams are not hockey nations but If you played for the Egypt national team and suddenly you are playing with 5 other nations is that going to make you want to join? And how do you find a coach, what language would you speak, what national anthem are you going to play before the game??

I do like the idea Canada and maybe the USA fields 2 teams each. But then wouldn't the final of Canada vs Canada be kinda silly.

[Idoit40fans]

I mean, really, we have a mid-tier roster. A second team would be a disaster...

Parise-Pavelski-Kane
MaxPac-Stastny-Kessel
JVR-Stepan-Wheeler
Brown-Kesler-Backes

Suter-Shattenkirk
McDonagh-Martin
Fowler-Carlson

Quick
Miller

That's Team A with its extras...what is Team B?

Ryan-Smith-Okposo
Foligno-Johnson-Pominville
Saad-Bonino-Byfuglien
Kreider-Galchenyuk-Atkinson

Yandle-Greene
Niskanen-Leddy
Goligoski-Johnson

Bishop
Schneider

Yeah, hold on, let me dry my pants, that is a great lineup...I mean, I'm sure I'm missing a couple guys, but those guys would struggle to beat Switzerland or even Germany probably...

...so do you stand by the "can barely field an A squad" statement?

[mikey287]

Yeah, that A squad is mid-tier roster. God help it if it's drained by having a second team in any way plucked from it, right? Or no? I'm not sure how literally you're taking the statement, but that's a roster (the A squad) that's not likely to medal. And did not. If the B squad is split from it (as opposed to being just the "second" team), the A squad wouldn't get out of its own group probably...I mean, right or wrong? If you think I'm off base, share your thoughts...anyone...

[Pitts]

Hasn't the US team done pretty well the last few Olympics? That's pretty much the same as a World Cup. And, I'm not talking metals, but overall play...they've done well.

[Idoit40fans]

The us is at worst early in the discussion as a top 2 squad in the world.

[pcm]

Spoiler:

[DelPen]

We could see 3 Canadian teams devided up to be Ontario and then everything East or West along with a USA team and I still don't think the USA would stand a chance. But that would make for an insteresting tournament.

[no name]

As long as they play the tourny during the offseason and not in the middle of the season i am on board.