4 Nations Face Off - Feb 12-20

Think the NHL should really focus on setting up a consistent World Cup of hockey every 4 years. Don’t care about IIHF’s involvement.

Not sure what the best format is.

Maybe 10 team world junior like set up where a team gets relegated and you have mostly just the best teams playing.

Or a bigger event with say 16 teams. Not sure how’d you’d make that work in terms of qualification and stuff but think it could be more exciting and grow the game internationally.
 
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Think the NHL should really focus on setting up a consistent World Cup of hockey every 4 years. Don’t care about IIHF’s involvement.

Not sure what the best format is.

Maybe 10 team world junior like set up where a team gets relegated and you have mostly just the best teams playing.

Or a bigger event with say 16 teams. Not sure how’d you’d make that work in terms of qualification and stuff but think it could be more exciting and grow the game internationally.
They announced today they are doing that with a World Cup in 2028. I don’t know how it will work without the IIHF as the euro leagues won’t have to release players. Of course I guess the NHL will work directly with the federations. Only US, Canada, Sweden, Finland and Russia can fill out full rosters.
 
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They announced today they are doing that with a World Cup in 2028. I don’t know how it will work without the IIHF as the euro leagues won’t have to release players. Of course I guess the NHL will work directly with the federations. Only US, Canada, Sweden, Finland and Russia can fill out full rosters.
The thing is the NHL has enough power/control over the game that the IIHF will either have to get on board or get lost. All of the best players play in the NHL and that’s where all of the other players dream of playing.

It might be more complicated but all of those players in euro leagues will be desperate to play. I’m sure that can be figured out.
 
Think the NHL should really focus on setting up a consistent World Cup of hockey every 4 years. Don’t care about IIHF’s involvement.

Not sure what the best format is.

Maybe 10 team world junior like set up where a team gets relegated and you have mostly just the best teams playing.

Or a bigger event with say 16 teams. Not sure how’d you’d make that work in terms of qualification and stuff but think it could be more exciting and grow the game internationally.

16 teams would be way too much and have way too many blowouts.
 
16 teams would be way too much and have way too many blowouts.
I had that thought too hence why I was talking about 10. But the sell for 16 teams to me is how cool it is to see a smaller hockey country with no NHL players or one 3rd liner who is the star for that team. It’s such a special tournament for those teams and really grows the game IMO.

The blowouts aren’t that fun to watch but if you think the team getting blown out wouldn’t rather be there losing 10-0 than not be there you’re crazy. Biggest games of their lives and it grows the game in those countries. Also makes it seem a little more legitimate as an event vs having an 8-10 team event and calling it the “World Cup”.
 
Would have been sweet for Bratt if Nylander didn’t flub it.

Is it just me though, or did Bratt kind of dog it on the back check? Looked to me like he was close enough to get a stick on Marner but didn’t even try.
I think Marner was too far away for him to even catch up (especially since it was 3-on-3) and I believe Bratt also thought that with defenders in front of Marner, it would've helped the Goaltender.

Just gotta give credit to Marner for that shot.

Goal-Scorer's goal.

It is what it is.


But man....they had this game in OT on Nylander's stick off a great feed by Bratt..... 😔
 
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Think the NHL should really focus on setting up a consistent World Cup of hockey every 4 years. Don’t care about IIHF’s involvement.

Not sure what the best format is.

Maybe 10 team world junior like set up where a team gets relegated and you have mostly just the best teams playing.

Or a bigger event with say 16 teams. Not sure how’d you’d make that work in terms of qualification and stuff but think it could be more exciting and grow the game internationally.
The in between years can be used for qualifiers. So the likes of Nico and Draisatl can get their chance..

But the US and Canada have to be in it every year in some capacity.

There is definitely some configuring that needs to be done, and it will probably never be perfect, but so far it's great hockey and a million times better then the traditional ASG.
 
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tournament isn't even finished and they already doubled the field for the next go around and expanded the time off for it.

honestly they should just hold it in the coldest area they can find that has reasonable resources and play a combo of the games outside and inside. scrap the winter classic and the stadium series games that season they hold it.
 
tournament isn't even finished and they already doubled the field for the next go around and expanded the time off for it.

honestly they should just hold it in the coldest area they can find that has reasonable resources and play a combo of the games outside and inside. scrap the winter classic and the stadium series games that season they hold it.
Nah. The outdoor thing is pure novelty.

The int'l tourney should be treated like a legitimate extension of the NHL reg season.
 
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Not gonna lie - didn’t watch this one but the highlights made me regret it. I’ll be tuning in from now on.
I don't know if you noticed but that first Canada goal, which was as nice a goal as you'll ever see, from 3 of the biggest stars in the game was 45 seconds in. Couldn't have asked for a better start to this thing.
 
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