Is time right to hold world juniors?
Canadians love the event, but not everyone thinks it makes sense during a pandemic
TORONTO A number of prominent hockey people, including NHL general managers and other team executives, wonder if this isn't the year to cancel the world junior hockey championship.
For obvious reasons, they don't want to share their views for public consumption but there is genuine concern about the number of positive COVID-19 tests that have accompanied the lead up to this famed event.
Now understand the dilemma: This is a hockey tournament that most hockey people adore. The history is incredible and the way Canada has taken to the tournament, as an audience, is even more incredible.
Historically, this has been a rather large money maker for Hockey Canada, for the IIHF and for the network that all but created the event, TSN.
The same bubble that Edmonton utilized for the Stanley Cup playoffs is being used for the world juniors. But unlike the Stanley Cup, where there were no positive COVID tests and Alberta was in far better shape than it is now, there have been a bevy of positive tests, before teams arrived in Edmonton and since they've arrived.
One hockey executive said going ahead with the tournament now “is a very foolish endeavour.”
Another said: “I'll believe they can pull this off when I see it.” A third: “If I was in charge, I would cancel it now.”
In fairness, there have been times in the past year when it appeared as though a majorleague baseball season would not come to conclusion or the National Football League would be chopped to pieces by positive tests. But baseball finished up its shortened season and the NFL, hit by so many speed bumps, continues on.
Maybe the world juniors can find its way to conclusion, but it's easy this close to Christmas Day to be uncomfortable about the circumstances and the surroundings of this event.
LUNDQVIST HEADED FOR HOCKEY HALL OF FAME
Who doesn't love Henrik Lundqvist? And who didn't feel like they were punched in the gut when the goalie announced on social media that health issues will prevent him from playing in what was likely to be his 16th and final NHL season in Washington? Up next for Lundqvist, who has only played for the New York Rangers, the Hockey Hall of Fame, class of 2023 if he doesn't play again ... I asked a number of general managers yesterday: How will cross-border trades work in this coming hockey season? No one had a definitive answer but all figured there would be some form of quarantining involved with bringing a U.S. player to Canada in the NHL season. Which may mean fewer trades than usual, even with the season shortened ... If Boston, Washington, Pittsburgh, the Islanders, Rangers and Philadelphia are all in one division, which two aren't making the playoffs? ... And the only thing I know about the Canadian division is that the Senators will finish last. And they're going to be a tough out. Who ends up one to six? I change my mind about every five minutes trying to break it down. ... What an opportunity this is for the Canadian teams in the NHL, assuming the Canadian division business can be settled with provincial health authorities in the next few days. In a way, it's something of a lottery ticket with a legitimate chance of playing for the Stanley Cup. One of the seven Canadian teams is guaranteed a spot in the Final Four of the playoffs. Every NHL coach in Canada is going to sell a believable message to his team in early January: You've got a legitimate shot. It's not a dream. It's freaking real.
RAPTORS HAVE THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM
Kyle Lowry is playing for a championship this NBA season. He said so. And bless him, he believes it.
The memory of the Raptors championship, with Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, with Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol, remains fresh for everyone. It was an incredible run, followed in turn by an incredible regular season.
Look at the two seasons of Nick Nurse as an NBA head coach. First year, wins the title. Second year, wins coach of the year. This is Year 3. Doubting his team is easy this season but being wrong is just as easy.
Here's where Lowry's logic fails, though: Over the past 40 seasons, 39 of the championships won have come from teams with Grade-A superstars. Kawhi in Toronto. LeBron won last year in Los Angeles.
Before that, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. You can go on and on. Only one team, the 2004 Detroit Pistons, a 15-1 shot before the season began, won without a super duper star. The Pistons had Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups as their big scorers. And Larry Brown coaching. And somehow they won.
But two things to know: The combination of Masai Ujiri and Nurse love nothing more than to be doubted.
And this is a season that begins with all kinds of doubt.