NHL players' participation in the '18 PyeongChang Games is a "spicy topic again because of the imminent" World Cup of Hockey (WCOH), which makes its return next week in Toronto, according to Tim Wharnsby of the CBC. But there is still "plenty of time" for the NHL, IOC and IIHF to "come to an agreement." The NHL "did not formally agree to participate" in the '06 Turin Games until the previous summer and a "similar scenario played out" for the '14 Sochi Games. Expect negotiations for PyeongChang to "begin in earnest later this fall." Wharnsby: "Some of the early groundwork may be laid at the IIHF's meetings in Paris this week." The WCOH "can co-exist with NHL players competing in the Olympics." There also is the fact that the Olympics is being held in Beijing in '22. Wharnsby: "This presents an untapped revenue opportunity for the hockey world, and the NHL would be nuts not to be there if it has designs on reaching the massive Chinese market" (CBC.ca, 9/6). SPORTSNET.ca's Chris Johnston noted some NHLers have "made peace with the fact that the opportunity to compete for a third straight Olympic gold might be taken away from them." Kings D Drew Doughty said, "I'd love to go represent my country ... but at the same time, if it doesn't' happen ... I'm not going to be crushed over it." NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly indicated that there "has been no progress on talks" (SPORTSNET.ca, 9/6).
NO WORRIES: In Ottawa, Bruce Garrioch wrote the WCOH "will shine, but will it be as good as gold?" Many members of Team Canada are wondering whether the WCOH, which is put on by the NHL and NHLPA, is "going to produce the kind of international hockey we've witnessed in the past." There is "no shortage of skepticism surrounding the tourney." Garrioch noted there is "criticism that the tournament is a cash grab, but the reality is once the puck is dropped most tickets in Toronto will likely be sold and there will be no shortage of televisions in the country tuned into every game." Garrioch: "If anybody is complaining about it now, they likely won't be in a couple weeks when the competition is under way." Kings D Jake Muzzin said, "Once (fans) see the talent that's here and the competition of the games people are going to (say), 'Yeah, this is why the World Cup and the NHL is doing this'" (OTTAWA SUN, 9/7). Also in Ottawa, Wayne Scanlan noted if players "waltz through this NHL-staged exhibition tournament or if Canada simply smothers every other team with a suffocating style that is effective but dull, it will hurt the brand of the World Cup" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 9/7).
WHAT TO EXPECT: In Toronto, Kevin McGran wrote there really was "no other choice for this World Cup than Toronto." McGran: "There are a whole host of reasons for it including the high quality facilities that are available for all the teams to practise, and that the city is very easy to get to thanks to Pearson airport." The only question is "whether this is really a World Cup." McGran: "It is not. The term 'world cup' for this tournament really is an insult [to] every other sport that holds World Cups and sets the NHL up for mockery." But the strong belief is that this WCOH is "here to stay." Four years from now, it "might even be a proper World Cup with qualifying matches and national teams." This iteration is a "dry run" (TORONTO STAR, 9/7). YAHOO SPORTS' Greg Wyshynski wrote whether fans should care about the WCOH "depends on who you are and what you're reading." Wyshynski: "I'm down with it, ultimately" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 9/6).
