The pools are switched every year with relegation and re-entry of two teams.
Bottom 2 out, 2 new ones in.
It gives teams from all over the world a chance to get in.
Like Trevor says, for some getting in is the victory.
Last time Germany played was 2015 and they got relegated that year.
Took them 5 years to get back.
They blame the Oilers for that because they did not allow Leon Draisaitl play that year.
This year they can blame Covid.
So this year, Germany and Austria likely relegated, and will get replaced by 2 new teams next year.
If they went to 8 team tournament, no other team in the world would have a chance.
It would be Canada, US, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Czech Rep., Slovakia and Switzerland.
Even worse at 6 teams. Be the same less Slovakia and Switzerland.
Rest of the world would have nothing to strive for.
If you ask them, I’m sure they all want s chance to get in.
It’s the top tier of hockey.
They don’t expect their opponents to take it easy.
And in a short tournament, all the top teams have to go all out from the start to gel, work out the kinks and get the PP and PK working, and get ready for tougher opponent each successive game.
Canada is in an easier pool because they are defending champs.
It pretty much guaranties them a buy through first round of eliminations.
The perks of being defending champ.
You can’t have mercy rule.
You can’t tell top teams to not play at their potential.
You can’t end game after a certain goal differential.
That’s going back to introduction minor hockey level.
Not at highest level in world.
I bet us Canadians are the only ones thinking like that.
We’re used to competitive games everywhere we watch.
And we don’t like beating up on small guys.
But I bet the Germans and Austrians are all proud to be there because it means they are among the top 10 best teams in the world.