Plan to Hold World Cup of Hockey in the Works – Hockey officials are in talks of holding its own World Cup and they are planning to stage it in February 2025 although it is not that similar to traditional tournaments like the Olympics. Executives from the National Hockey League and the NHL Players Association are looking at the possibility of hosting an international event without the presence of Russian players, who face uncertainty due to the country’s war in Ukraine. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly made it clear that it would not be a typical World Cup consisting of eight national teams playing over the course of 16 days. He said that the league are working with the NHLPA to introduce a new format that places an emphasis on the sport’s internationality. Having a World Cup-type of tournament is expected to give a lot of excitement to hockey fans who want to see which nation is the best in the sport. It will also give online sports betting die-hards something to look forward to as it will feature the best players competing for their country’s honor and gain money while choosing the right team in every match.
World Cup to be Held Before the 2026 Winter Olympics
The Hockey World Cup was initially planned to be held in 2024 but the situation in Ukraine and some sports federations’ objections to Russian players competing in the event scuppered the initial plan. The 2025 staging is still in rhythm with the original plan of holding it before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy. Daly pointed out that preparations for the World Cup are ongoing along with the negotiations to send NHL players to the 2026 Olympics. In the latest iteration of the collective bargaining agreement signed by the NHL and NHLPA, the league and players agreed to participate in the Olympics, pending an agreement with the International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation. The last time NHL players took part in the Winter Games was in Sochi, Russia, in 2014. Although the players planned to compete in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, the coronavirus pandemic scrapped such possibility. Another issue that the NHL wants to be resolved is the payment of insurance and travel costs. The NHL deputy commissioner said that he would like to see the situation ironed out by early next year. He wished to see a rotating scenario wherein the World Cup and the Olympics are held alternately every two years beginning in 2028.
Plan to Hold World Cup of Hockey in the Works: St Louis Defenseman Suffers Foot Injury
The St Louis Blues has suffered a pre-training camp blow as 32-year-old defenseman Torey Krug suffered a right foot injury while training for the upcoming NHL season. According to Blues general manager Doug Armstrong, Krug is set to be re-evaluated on October 1 as the team did not reveal any timetable for his return. The team seeks to return to the playoffs after a mediocre 2022-23 season wherein they finished the regular season with a 37-38-7 mark and missed the postseason. Krug’s injury was a big development for the Blues as he is in the middle of his seven-year, US$45.5-million contract. He was supposed to be one of the vital cogs for St Louis next season after trading away Stanley Cup-winning forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan O’Reilly. The Blues will miss a defenseman who has totaled 112 points in 185 regular-season and playoff games with the team. If Krug misses time this season, St Louis are expected give either Tyler Tucker and Scott Perunovich some time on the blue line, which has veterans Colton Parayko, Justin Faulk, Marco Scandella Nick Leddy and Robert Bortuzzo manning the area.
Avalanche, Tomas Tatar Agree to a One-Year Deal
The Colorado Avalanche have continued their retooling for the 2023-24 season as free agent forward Tomas Tatar agreed to play for the team. The Avalanche and Tatar mutually came to terms with the 32-year-old agreeing to a one-year deal worth US$1.5 million. The Slovakian native will boost Colorado’s roster that includes Miles Wood and Jonathan Drouin. Tatar’s inclusion would also help the Avalanche’s offense, as captain Gabriel Landeskog is out for the season after undergoing a knee surgery. Tatar has 455 points in 783 regular-season NHL games. He helped Vegas reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2018 and last year, he scored 48 points with the New Jersey Devils. Tatar’s addition will certainly help the Avalanche’s campaign in the 2023-24 season. His all-around play is expected to boost Colorado’s value among NHL punters who are looking to secure an enormous financial edge by choosing the strongest teams playing in every game all season long.
