The 2024 World Cup without Russia and no European expansion for the NHL

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The NHL has no plans to expand the NHL’s presence in Europe and talks are underway for the World Cup in February 2024.

NHL Vice President Bill Daly confirms plans for the February 2024 World Cup in Prague. He says talks are underway, but the format is still open. Eight teams planned. with Russia? If the world situation did not change, then Russia would not exist.

The World Cup has its roots in the Canada Cup (1976, 1981, 1984, 1987, 1991) and has been held so far in 1996, 2004 and 2016. The special feature: It is the NHL and NHL Players Association Championship. In exchange for participation, part of the income goes to the Pension Fund of the players’ union. All tournaments were played in North America. Unlike the World Cup, which is played during the Stanley Cup playoffs, the NHL is on hiatus for the World Cup and the best NHL players out there.

Roman Josie and Nino Neederetter (centre) cheer with Leon Drysittel at the 2016 World Cup in Team Europe dress.Photo: AP/FR67404AP

So far, only Canada, the United States and Russia have won the Unofficial World Cup. According to Bill Daly, the criteria by which the last places in the field of participants will be awarded are open. The USA, Canada, Sweden, Finland and Czech Republic must be designated.

If Russia is excluded, then there are three more places in eight areas. It can be awarded – but this is open – according to the IIHF world classification. If Russia is excluded, it will be Switzerland (which has never participated in the World Cup), Slovakia and Germany. However, it is also conceivable that a European selection team will be formed from non-participating countries, as was the case in the last event in 2016.

In the two games between Nashville and San Jose in Prague, the qualifiers (regular season) were the 31st and 32nd, which the NHL has played in Europe so far. According to Bill Daly, the NHL does not plan to expand its European presence by increasing the number of games or even creating teams in Europe.

Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks compete in Prague.Photo: cornerstone

A sure sign that the NHL’s “European Travel Circus” isn’t big business, but a very good advertising campaign for the most important league in the world.

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