TSN’s Darren Dreger is reporting that the NHL and the NHLPA intend to move forward with a 2028 World Cup of Hockey without the involvement of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Both the league and the players’ union are hopeful they can make an announcement at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-off that will take place from February 12th – February 20th in Boston and Montreal.
The NHL players have not participated in an international tournament (outside of the IIHF World Championships) since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey but could conceivably have three international tournaments in the next four years if you include the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
A 2028 World Cup of Hockey would be the fourth time the tournament has taken place with the last three happening in 1996, 2004, and the aforementioned 2016. The last World Cup took place in Toronto and was won by Canada with Sidney Crosby taking home the tournament MVP. Eight teams participated in the tournament alongside Canada (the United States, Finland, Czechia, Russia, Sweden, and two all-star teams). A future World Cup of Hockey would likely follow a similar template.
If the IIHF remains on the sidelines for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, it will mean that the NHL will have the final say on who will be able to participate in the tournament.
1996, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040, 2052, 2064….what are we talking about here? Why do we care about the Olympic nation vs nation tournament? Cause it’s gonna happen every 4 years….not once in a generation (of hockey players).
Stop with these stupid cash grab tournaments and just have NHLers play at every Olympics.
Stop with the all-star teams and just bring in Slovakia & Germany
Team NA was the most exciting thing about the 2016 WCoH
Gonna be funny when Gerry announces the Canada Cup on day one of the 4 nations cup, then they see the attendance numbers it actually brings and the lack of TV viewership and fumbles his way thru a bobble headed discussion about it in the offseason. And then tries to boost it for the next 2 years, while Olympics do fine and he tries to explain why it’s a failure and the NHL declines future IIHF in season events again, all while fans and players express interest in them.
Yes. More meaningless exhibitions, These players are warn out enough, We are seeing it every night because of the condensed schedule, Let’s focus on players health, And seeing rested teams play in games that matter. The NHL greed must stop!