Fans had been waiting for the biggest gathering of hockey stars since the 2016 World Cup. Meanwhile, two Winter Olympics were taking place, but the NHL did not allow its players to attend any of them.

The overseas league thus has the opportunity to attract the public with another World Cup. It was supposed to be held in 2024, but not in September as in previous years, but in February, when the Winter Olympics are usually held.

The NHL plans to create a seventeen-day window in the regular season schedule for its tournaments. It must be played in Europe and North America, with elimination fights held only overseas.

In terms of participants, compared to 2016, the NHL no longer relies on artificial teams, namely North America under 23 and purely European selection, where there are Slovakia, Germany or Switzerland.

Instead, up to ten national teams will participate in the tournament, with eight advancing to the group stage after quick qualifiers. “However, in the future, we plan to hold a separate qualifying tournament on a date other than February,” said league vice-chairman Bill Daly.

Czechs can enjoy the current plan. There is speculation that in the next World Cup will play with Germany or Slovakia in a joint European selection, due to the decline in the number of players in the NHL.

On the other hand, Russia has to worry about its own place in the tournament, albeit for other reasons. After Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, participation in all events under the banner of world hockey was lost. And at least next year nothing has changed.

Although the NHL is an independent entity, it can organize the World Cup at its discretion, but recognizes the IIHF’s decision on the elimination of the team and severing all business ties with Russia.

On the other hand, it defends individual Russian hockey players in overseas clubs and allows young players from Eastern countries to enter the draft – unlike, for example, the CHL, which brings together the most important junior players in North America.

“It is very possible that Russia as a nation will not be represented at the World Cup,” said Daly. “It is also possible that our Russian players will get the opportunity to participate, but not as part of the Russian team. We are talking hypothetically. We’ll have to make a decision at some point, but we’re not here yet. for that yet.”

The World Cup will be the last or one of the last opportunities for some of Russia’s stars to play on the international pitch against the best in the world.

The leader of the group is Alexandr Ovechkin, who will celebrate his 37th birthday in less than a month. He also participated in events surrounding the prestigious event.

“However, it is difficult for me to comment at this time,” he stated. He then mixed the five-ring tournament into his answer: “We were told twice that they would let us go to the Olympics, but then they banned us. I would definitely like to play for Russia, but it will depend on the circumstances and the NHL decision. I hope the Russian team will be allowed to play.”