What a time to be alive. The World Cup of Hockey is finally back after a long hiatus, and I couldn't be happier. International hockey is great. Watching all stars go all out for their country is such enjoyable tv. Every game is gonna be a must watch.
The olympics is boring because, although the guys are into it, you know who's coming out of each pool. By taking all of the irrelevant countries in Europe who have a few good players (Germany, Slovenia, Norway, etc), and making a superstar team with them all is eliminating the stupidity of watching Sweden beat the piss out of Switzerland. Not to mention, Team North America is also a perfect addition. Seeing all of the young stars for the US get snubbed in the Olympics, and having to wait another four years is terrible. But, getting to see these young stars make a future NHL all star team is gonna be fun to see.
But, the World Cup is going to affect two things: the Olympics and the IIHF World Championships. The Olympics now will be played by college and junior kids, since the NHL will refuse to have their season interrupted every two years instead of every four. That means that the Olympics will turn into what the IIHF Worlds are now, and that those will now lose their novelty. But, the World Cup is just better for International play.
When it gets closer, expect a full guide to the tournament and each team. For now we just sit and wait out seven weeks until the return of hockey. Can't wait.
The olympics is boring because, although the guys are into it, you know who's coming out of each pool. By taking all of the irrelevant countries in Europe who have a few good players (Germany, Slovenia, Norway, etc), and making a superstar team with them all is eliminating the stupidity of watching Sweden beat the piss out of Switzerland. Not to mention, Team North America is also a perfect addition. Seeing all of the young stars for the US get snubbed in the Olympics, and having to wait another four years is terrible. But, getting to see these young stars make a future NHL all star team is gonna be fun to see.
But, the World Cup is going to affect two things: the Olympics and the IIHF World Championships. The Olympics now will be played by college and junior kids, since the NHL will refuse to have their season interrupted every two years instead of every four. That means that the Olympics will turn into what the IIHF Worlds are now, and that those will now lose their novelty. But, the World Cup is just better for International play.
When it gets closer, expect a full guide to the tournament and each team. For now we just sit and wait out seven weeks until the return of hockey. Can't wait.