Why in the Worlds?
Posted 9:20 AM ET | Comments 3
Canada wins another world hockey championship. Big surprise AND big deal! Why is this tournament played every year during the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Does anybody who follows the NHL care about this tournament right now while the battle for arguably the greatest trophy in sports is taking place, especially if your team is still in it? I'm still trying to figure out the point in playing this tournament...is it for international exposure, to make the players who didnt make the playoffs or those who got knocked out feel better, instill patriotism back in our respective homelands? It seems like a waste of some well played hockey when it begins and ends within the confines of a round or two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I'd like to see some of that action, but it wont take the place of the hockey being domestically. Why not start the year (training camp) with the tournament...the sport wont compete against itself and all NHL'ers will be able to participate. There's some pretty good talent who are still fighting for the Cup that arent eligible.
Very good point, I'd like to see this movved to september much like the world cup
amen.... its a very very very good idea to have the whc prior to the season... it could serve as training camp to many players and it will actually BE watched.
The problem with it starting before the season would be player injuries. At least at the end of the year injuries aren't felt by the players NHL team.