from Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star,

Mike Babcock says he'd never say no to Hockey Canada when the sport's national governing body comes asking for his help.

That's too bad. He should have said no this time. He should be devoting his time to the Maple Leafs.

The World Cup of Hockey is not the Olympics and it's not even a true World Cup. There are two teams that don't belong: That team of under-23s and a pan-European all-star squad.

Can you imagine soccer, rugby or cricket -- all with huge world cup tournaments -- operating like that? Telling, say, Asian countries you don't have a chance so let's put an all-star team of Chinese, Japanese and Koreans together. And instead of countries like Canada or Australia trying out, we'll invited the best Europeans under 23?

How ridiculous. Hockey's World Cup format is an embarrassment. No more than a cash-grab.

And winning it? It won't feel like the Olympics.

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