The IIHF World Championships 2014

[batdad]

Like I said...tier 3. Joke innen.

[Tasku]

Finland 2011. World Champs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icouVzuV1GA

You might not care. But we do.

And we don't care if you do or not...

[batdad]

Should really say Tier 3 World Champs to be accurate.

[Primis]

I will say this:

If the NHL does ever bring back the World Cup, I hope they organize it so it completely interferes with most of the Euro league seasons having already started (especially the KHL), making either a lot of logistical headaches for the European teams or just a lot of their players unavailable. And I hope they *only* play the games in North America.

That's kinda' what the WC's are like every single year for Canada and USA, after all.

[CJ]

That's kinda' what the WC's are like every single year for Canada and USA, after all.

Like no one else has their best players in the NHL?! Just CAN & USA!?

[Alessandro]

I will say this:

If the NHL does ever bring back the World Cup, I hope they organize it so it completely interferes with most of the Euro league seasons having already started (especially the KHL), making either a lot of logistical headaches for the European teams or just a lot of their players unavailable. And I hope they *only* play the games in North America.

That's kinda' what the WC's are like every single year for Canada and USA, after all.

Blame the NHL it's them who don't care about this tournament

[Garethw87]

I will say this:

If the NHL does ever bring back the World Cup, I hope they organize it so it completely interferes with most of the Euro league seasons having already started (especially the KHL), making either a lot of logistical headaches for the European teams or just a lot of their players unavailable. And I hope they *only* play the games in North America.

That's kinda' what the WC's are like every single year for Canada and USA, after all.

That's beyond ignorant. It's NHL's own fault for not wanting to ever cooperate with the IIHF.

It happens every year though. USA/CAN lose a game or 2 and all the Adam Oates starts to come out as usual. 'it's our B team because all the best players are in the Playoffs'

[djskek]

KAz 2:1 USA

USA really disappointed! Even if it is not the best players in the United States, which can not be an excuse for this poor performance (particularly in the defensive) at this WC. Perhaps we have yet a chance on Tuesday to beat the USA.

Edit: 2:2 Jones

3:3

4:3 USA aet

scramble for a victory

[CJ]

Finland had big problems against Switzerland. I'm glad they managed to get 2 points.

[nino33]

It's NHL's own fault for not wanting to ever cooperate with the IIHF.

Blame the NHL it's them who don't care about this tournament

Just wondering...exactly what do you suggest the NHL do? Reduce the schedule (at the cost of 100s of millions)? Take a break in the middle of the playoffs?



The reality is the IIHF (and European/Russian hockey in general) is pretty much ignored by North America. Even when the NHL was on strike there was no coverage of overseas leagues (and there's no outcry about the lack of coverage either). And the following of a player based on nationality is not really practiced by North Americans in hockey...I see many posters outside of North America proudly reference players in the NHL who are from their home country, but I've never heard of a Canadian/American player playing in Europe being followed in such a way.

The NHL is a tiny niche market in the US, and while it's popular in Canada I think the popularity is often overestimated by most (in the US hockey is crushed by most other sports in the ratings, and in both Canada and the US hockey is crushed by many TV programs, including reruns). For example, this article http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/ ... v-ratings/ (from April 23rd) notes that at that time the top rated NHL playoff game ranked "just behind an afternoon SpongeBob SquarePants episode and a late-night Full House rerun"

It seems to me the reality is the NHL and "local hockey" satisfies the North American interest in hockey. o

[nino33]

If the NHL does ever bring back the World Cup, I hope they organize it so it completely interferes with most of the Euro league seasons having already started (especially the KHL), making either a lot of logistical headaches for the European teams or just a lot of their players unavailable. And I hope they *only* play the games in North America.

I couldn't disagree more strongly. I myself hope for less petulant behaviour in the world, not more

[Alessandro]

It's NHL's own fault for not wanting to ever cooperate with the IIHF.

Blame the NHL it's them who don't care about this tournament

Just wondering...exactly what do you suggest the NHL do? Reduce the schedule (at the cost of 100s of millions)? Take a break in the middle of the playoffs?

I'm no Bettman. If he doesn't care about the WC - his problem. I think that national teams competition give you a good chance to showcase good hockey, entartain your fans (who are the ones that made them billionaire), and prouden your country. If Bettman prefers a few bucks, what can I say

[nino33]

It's NHL's own fault for not wanting to ever cooperate with the IIHF.

Blame the NHL it's them who don't care about this tournament

Just wondering...exactly what do you suggest the NHL do? Reduce the schedule (at the cost of 100s of millions)? Take a break in the middle of the playoffs?

I'm no Bettman. If he doesn't care about the WC - his problem. I think that national teams competition give you a good chance to showcase good hockey, entartain your fans (who are the ones that made them billionaire), and prouden your country. If Bettman prefers a few bucks, what can I say

I didn't notice an actual suggestion/solution...but it seems you're saying that the NHL should "care" and not focus on the money by shutting down operations every year in order to follow the IIHF schedule

Were you thinking they should end the season two months earlier? or take a 2 week break in the middle of the playoffs? If it's end the season earlier, do you think the players would be willing to take the enormous pay cut in order to follow the IIHF schedule?

I personally would be fine with reducing the NHL teams/schedule myself, and following the IIHF schedule, but I just don't see it ever happening

[Alessandro]

Were you thinking they should end the season two months earlier? or take a 2 week break in the middle of the playoffs? If it's end the season earlier, do you think the players would be willing to take the enormous pay cut in order to follow the IIHF schedule?

I personally would be fine with reducing the NHL teams/schedule myself, and following the IIHF schedule, but I just don't see it ever happening

Well, of course taking a break in the middle of playoffs would be idiotic, I'm not suggesting that. On the other hand, all other leagues end before the WC and they survive every season, so...
On the other hand, as I said, to each its own, if Bettman prefers money, it's his problem. I don't like this mentality, but there's nothing we can do about it.

EDIT: Yes 82 games for the regular season is imho too much and very redundant. About 65-70 games would be ideal

[Garethw87]

It's NHL's own fault for not wanting to ever cooperate with the IIHF.

Blame the NHL it's them who don't care about this tournament

Just wondering...exactly what do you suggest the NHL do? Reduce the schedule (at the cost of 100s of millions)? Take a break in the middle of the playoffs?



The reality is the IIHF (and European/Russian hockey in general) is pretty much ignored by North America. Even when the NHL was on strike there was no coverage of overseas leagues (and there's no outcry about the lack of coverage either). And the following of a player based on nationality is not really practiced by North Americans in hockey...I see many posters outside of North America proudly reference players in the NHL who are from their home country, but I've never heard of a Canadian/American player playing in Europe being followed in such a way.

The NHL is a tiny niche market in the US, and while it's popular in Canada I think the popularity is often overestimated by most (in the US hockey is crushed by most other sports in the ratings, and in both Canada and the US hockey is crushed by many TV programs, including reruns). For example, this article http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/ ... v-ratings/ (from April 23rd) notes that at that time the top rated NHL playoff game ranked "just behind an afternoon SpongeBob SquarePants episode and a late-night Full House rerun"

It seems to me the reality is the NHL and "local hockey" satisfies the North American interest in hockey. o

All this 'the NHL is a nothing league just a minor sport in the USA' is a load of rubbish. If it's such a minor sport why are there billionaire owners operating the teams? Why can players in non-hockey markets become millionaires by playing hockey? A player earning x amount of millions of dollars a year isn't playing a 'minor sport' for a living is he?

And viewing figures are pointless. For instance in the UK, the latest episode of one of the popular soap operas/dramas was watched by around 7m people, not that many would have watched the last soccer game, but soccer here is massive, but now we aren't going to say 'soccer is a tiny sport because a soap opera beat it one week in the ratings'

The way I see it is, if the North Americans don't care about the World Champs and National team play - then don't care. But if you lose a few games, don't moan every single time with all the rubbish excuses!

[nino33]

Not sure why you quoted me. In no way did I moan or make any excuses (in fact, I said "I personally would be fine with reducing the NHL teams/schedule myself, and following the IIHF schedule")

And your comparisons don't match up IMO...was the soccer game a playoff game? Was the soap opera a rerun of a TV show that went off the air in 1995!

And pointing out that the NHL is popular enough in the US to produce millionaire players doesn't mean to me that the US/Canada is interested enough in watching the World Championships to make it worth televising more (let alone adjusting the season/playoffs for!)...it costs money to produce a live television program from the other side of the world, a lot more than rerunning a TV show that's 20 years old!

[CJ]

What if the IIHF would be scheduled a few weeks/month before NHL starts?!
Anyway.. the NHL doesn't wanna risk "their" players suffering any injuries, so it might still be a bad decision.
Like NYI had with Tavares (Olympics). Best player out for the whole season.

[philou21]

I not even sure if the players would want that much to go there. A Stanley Cup is harder to get than a World Championship. If you want to represent your country, the Olympics is the best place IMO.

[CJ]

I not even sure if the players would want that much to go there. A Stanley Cup is harder to get than a World Championship. If you want to represent your country, the Olympics is the best place IMO.

Yes that's absolutely true. But every 4 years is a long time to wait. Some might have a change at 2 Olympics (when they're at their best) but might be injured at both, if unlucky. Or the player might not have that year "best season they could have", so they'll not be picked by their "country".

I myself don't really like the idea of every 4 years. It's just like World Cup Football (or Soccer if you're weird ). But then there's European Championship which is pretty big also. So the "almost" best football players play every second year in a major tournament.

The Olympics every 4 years will never change. But in between those 4 I'd go with a World Cup Hockey, so there would be the best players in hockey every second year.
Big/small ice issue I won't comment on.

Btw. a little drunk again. So don't mind any typos.

[philou21]

Well I always thought the WC each year is pointless. It takes aways some sort of the prize value I think. Two years after the Olympics could be a good idea, like between them. I, personally, wouldn't care about it been every 4 years.

And yeah I noticed a couple of faults.

[Alessandro]

Anyway.. the NHL doesn't wanna risk "their" players suffering any injuries, so it might still be a bad decision.

Another thing I don't frigging understand. Then why they let players go outside their houses? A roof tile might smash their head!

[CJ]

Anyway.. the NHL doesn't wanna risk "their" players suffering any injuries, so it might still be a bad decision.

Another thing I don't frigging understand. Then why they let players go outside their houses? A roof tile might smash their head!

Cuz they "own" their players. Sending them to WC is more risk for injuries. Meaning they don't wanna do that.

[Alessandro]

Anyway.. the NHL doesn't wanna risk "their" players suffering any injuries, so it might still be a bad decision.

Another thing I don't frigging understand. Then why they let players go outside their houses? A roof tile might smash their head!

Cuz they "own" their players. Sending them to WC is more risk for injuries. Meaning they don't wanna do that.

I understand what you mean, but still I think that it's stupid and immoral

[philou21]

If the NHL players really wanted to go to the WC they will tell so. Like Ovechkin did for Sochi and many other players. I think the WC for most NHL players is just not that important. If you go there that means you will not win cup or missed the playoffs. I think most of them don't have the feeling to go there after that. Just look at Crosby.

[djskek]

After nearly completed preliminary round my small conclusion.

Really impressed by Germany only. Just kidding.
Really impressed by Russia only. Have just the strongest squad and individualists. The Swiss and we have simply missed too many players keep around with.

The biggest scandal in the WC are the referee. This stinks partly by fraud which are taken there for decisions. Especially when Russia and Belarus plays. But I'm not surprised really.