from the CP at TSN,
Henrik Lundqvist watched on as Sweden's third goaltender at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, then won a gold medal as the starter at the 2006 Olympics.
Lundqvist's personal experience difference aside, he doesn't see any way the World Cup can compare to the Olympics.
"I think the Olympics is another level when it comes to just the emotions you have: all the other athletes, the size of the tournament," the New York Rangers' starter said. "I think we always should be at the Olympics. I think it's the biggest stage for any sport."
A year from now Lundqvist and the NHL's stars will converge on Toronto for the return of the World Cup of Hockey. It's being billed as a festival of the sport and will be another chance to see a best-on-best tournament.
It'll be a big deal, but players don't consider the World Cup as a replacement for the Winter Games.
"I think the Olympics are always going to be on top of the list of any athlete," Slovak defenceman Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins said. "It's such a unique event. It's the highest possible competition that you can have for any athlete to be competing and representing your country at the Olympics."
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