The buzz is heating up around the possibility that the NHL will reboot its World Cup of Hockey tournament in 2016.
Though no official announcements have been made, multiple outlets including the Toronto Star have reported that plans are in the works for an eight-team tournament to run in Toronto before the beginning of the 2016-17 NHL season. The league has previously staged two other World Cup events: The U.S. won the title in 1996, while Canada took home the trophy in 2004.
The tournament could be an addition to hockey's international schedule, or it could replace the National Hockey League's ongoing involvement with the Olympic Games. The league took its time in agreeing to participate in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, announcing its commitment in July of 2013, just seven months before the Games (per NHL.com).
If the World Cup goes ahead—and goes well—it could provide the leverage for the NHL to say "No, thank you," to the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.
There are pros and cons to going that route. Here's a look at the key issues in play.
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Article written by Carol Schram
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