The hockey world is still buzzing, amidst trade tariff talks, after the past week, and the rivalry between Team Canada and Team USA is alive and well. Today, we are here to talk about NHL rumours and the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. We haven’t had a World Cup of Hockey since 2016, but the 4 Nations tournament definitely spiked interest in international, best-on-best competition. The ultimate debate in planning the tournament is the number of teams in the tournament. However, providing us with all the latest was none other than Elliotte Friedman on this Saturday night in February.
Team Canada and the Legacy of Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid
The 2028 World Cup of Hockey and NHL Rumours
One of the main discussions was the roster size. There were some high profile players that missed important action in the 4 Nations tourney. Quinn Hughes, Miro Heiskanen, and sticking with the defenceman theme, Cale Makar, all missed time in the tournament. However, what that did was shuffle around the rosters a lot. Moreover, even Hughes, after having originally declaring himself out of the tournament, made waves announcing he would fly to Boston, Massachusetts to make himself available. He practiced in Vancouver in a non-contact jersey and didn’t make himself available in the end. We definitely seen the need for having two extra defencemen at your disposal.
The point is the main consideration would be changing the roster size. The roster sizes will expand from 23 to 25. This just means eight defencemen, 14 forwards, and three goaltenders. Therefore, it will be in attempt that injuries throughout the tournament shouldn’t have to cause new players to be added. This will also be a consideration of how many games are played. Elliotte Friedman announced on Saturday night hockey tonight on Headlines edition for rumours.
Another Big Idea Come from the 4 Nations Wavelength
There was another key announcement regarding the future of potential tournaments. European players want games played in Europe. Which doesn’t come by a surprise to anyone. It’s only a few extra hour flight, say from traveling from Montreal to California. The problem ends up being the length of time the tournament cuts into the NHL schedule. However, that shouldn’t be a concern if we are really talking big picture.
From today’s NHL rumours, the roster size just seems necessary, especially if winning teams are playing up to seven games in a normal round-robin style tournament. Also, the European game idea simply implies two divisions. That would be opposed to a four team future. Eight seems to be a number everyone lands on. Tim Stutzle, David Pastrnak, and others would all love to be involved in a best-on-best tournament.
In any case, it will be an easy tournament to plan in the end given the talent that is there right now. The Connor Hellebuyck versus Connor McDavid showdown rhetoric was good TV. Moreover, having the best players on the planet come together on only a couple teams is very fun top watch. We have seen it, time-after-time. Why not keep that tradition going? Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin would love one final Horray before their stories wrap up. One thing is for sure, this writer can’t wait for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, featuring a very intense men’s hockey tournament.
Main Photo Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
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