According to the NHL’s best player and a voice the league and its executives should be listening to, the World Baseball Classic is a shining example of why the NHL needs to revive the World Cup of Hockey. Noting that the league is failing its fans by not offering best-on-best, Edmonton Oilers star and captain Connor McDavid spoke to the media on Wednesday and made no bones about the fact the NHL needs to do a better job of having its superstars playing each other.
McDavid was asked for his thoughts on the baseball games at the WBC and the matchup of Shohei Ohtani vs Mike Trout. McDavid responded, “That’s what hockey’s been missing for almost a decade now.” He added, “I thought it was great. It’s what we’ve wanted for years. Best on best. Everyone is talking about it. We (NHL players) haven’t had it for a decade.”
Is McDavid Right?
While there’s been some push-back to the idea of professional baseball players playing in a tournament that could affect the MLB season — New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz tore the patellar tendon in his right knee during Puerto Rico’s World Baseball Classic victory celebration and will need surgery — you’ll find a number of players and fans who still want to see the best versus the best and the All-Star Game — a weekend now proven to be one few fans care about — just doesn’t cut it.
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The World Cup of Hockey is one way to give players like McDavid the chance to shine with the rest of the best, all while fans would love to see it. The NHL doesn’t seem too rushed to make that tournament a reality and it’s clear McDavid doesn’t love that fact. That McDavid hasn’t worn a Team Canada jersey since he was 17 years old and will likely never play with Sidney Crosby on the same Canadian team makes this even more disappointing.
It’s understandable McDavid is saddened by this. He wants to play the best and the fans want to see him play the best.
The NHL Is Missing An Opportunity To Grow The Game
As the league looks at the potential sale of the Ottawa Senators and a $900 million price tag as a big internal win for the value of its franchises, the league is still missing a great opportunity to promote and market its game. The NHL players did not take part in the last two Olympics, (2022 and 2018) and the league, along with the NHLPA announced in November that the World Cup of Hockey, originally scheduled for 2024, has been pushed back…
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