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andrewm
I'm not trying to take anything away from the World Championship but how exactly and why would the NHL change their schedule to accomodate it ? Their season has started around the begininning of October for 90 plus years ( the Stanley Cup has been in existence longer than that) ? The Worlds are still a great tournament whether all the best players are there or not and it's a lot better than 20-30 years ago when most NHL players couldn't be bothered to play, even if they were available.They weren't even allowed to play until 1977. Now, it's seen as a good way of showcasing yourself for a potential spot on your country's Olympic team and showing your commitment to the national hockey program of whatever nation you represent.
Also, I would vehemently disagree with your assertion that the level of play is higher than in the NHL, if for no other reason than the players on their respective national teams only get to play together for a few weeks a year unless they're already teammates on a club team. Have you watched any of the games in the Pittsburgh/Washington series which features Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin, Green et. al. ? There is no better or more entertaining hockey being played anywhere right now. As I said, the Worlds were very entertaining but come on...
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skipstone
Well, I think I can sum up the difference between 'the rest of the world' and the NHL teams/players with this - the Russian's played the Edmonton Oilers in the mid 1980s.
Guess who won?
Not that that actually sums anything up. But to sit there and say that the Euro/Russian/Wherever players are the best or better is just that. There's a reason why those guys leave and go to the NHL - they want to be in the best league for professional hockey AND make money.
Pavel Datsyuk is actually the best player in the NHL right now. Although why the US flag is behind him on his website I just don't get: [www.datsyuk13.com]
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skipstone
I was responding to what guitarbastard said, which was "i would say the hockey played at the worldchampioship had a higher level then the nhl." That's very subjective. You can watch the 1987 Canada Cup with Gretzky and Mario, the game they won the Cup, and many people have said that was the greatest game EVER because of all the talent on the ice that night.
That was great. Thanks STG.....Oh yeah and go Sharks.
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andrewm
Oh my Leafs.........
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andrewm
Oh my Leafs.........
how embarrassing