4 Nations Face Off - Feb 12-20

[Brodeur]

Even my dad (non-hockey fan) texted me about the start of the game yesterday.

Twitter algorithm pushed a bunch of posts from angry Canadian fans who are certain that their team's snubbed player would have singlehandedly been the difference. Reminds me of my idiot friend who kept saying USA lost in 2014 because they didn't bring Bobby Ryan. I say idiot because he doesn't really follow the NHL but will still voice his opinion as if it were fact, ie he didn't know who Blake Wheeler or Max Pacrioretty were. Or that T.J. Oshie was there to be the shootout specialist which came to fruition. It became an annual thing for me to bump his post with Bobby Ryan's diminishing numbers.

 

[Patrik26]

the real question is how the hell do they ever go back to the all star game?

They shouldn't. Period.

 

[MadDevil]

Am I the only one who liked the fights?

That gets the crowd going, the team going and it says we are here for a game and we aren’t backing down. It also says I’ll run through a wall in a meaningless tournament.

Great love it, that’s what rivalries are

The first two were good, the third one started to veer into "this is just dumb now" territory. It reminded me of an NAHL game I went to years ago where they had 4 straight fights off the face off and the game went completely off the rails. Luckily this one settled in to being a really good game and not just a retribution fest.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I have to say, last night has an argument for the best "all-star game" ever played on North American soil. Just incredible to watch. I can't wait for the final, might even head on up to Boston for it.

I love that it’s gained the traction that it has across sports audiences. I’m not a “please, like my sport” kind of guy, but this is one of the many reasons why this sport is the best.

 

[devilsblood]

The first two were good, the third one started to veer into "this is just dumb now" territory. It reminded me of an NAHL game I went to years ago where they had 4 straight fights off the face off and the game went completely off the rails. Luckily this one settled in to being a really good game and not just a retribution fest.

In the moment we didn't need the 3rd fight.

In the retelling of the story, the 3rd fight is a positive.

 

[BostonDevil]

In the moment we didn't need the 3rd fight.

In the retelling of the story, the 3rd fight is a positive.

The 3rd fight was the most 'genuine' of the 3 and may have occurred without the other 2 in a different game.

Normal occurrence for a fight to break out as a result of a scrum in front of the net

 

[Saint Beaurivage]

Jack Hughes will have his break out game before this ends. He can't be liking all the attention the Tkachuk Show is getting.

Would love to hear a change for the league's worst goal song next year.

 

[jkrdevil]

It's already happening next year at the Islanders new arena. I think in the future after next year they'll just host it in years that there isn't a world/olympics tournament. It also keeps the international games fresh by having them every 2 years instead of every year.

So in the future it would look like this to me...

2026 - all star game at UBS & Olympics in Italy
2027 - all star game
2028 - world cup
2029 - all star game
2030 - Olympics in France
2031 - all star game
2032 - world cup
2033 - all star game
2034 - Olympics in Utah

They still need to have an ASG in Olympic years as it is a contractual obligation and they don’t own the Olympic media rights to offset it .

 

[Satans Hockey]

They still need to have an ASG in Olympic years as it is a contractual obligation and they don’t own the Olympic media rights to offset it .

Gotcha, not a big deal to me then to add it to every Olympic year, it's really only a couple of days and it's not like it's actually work for any of these guys who go. I don't have an issue with them keeping it or getting rid of it entirely.

 

[IDEKWTM]

You realize he’s played for the Ottawa Senators, the Hab’s division rival, for 7 years, right?

I assume he’s referring to that.

Also I found Montreal a blast and a fun visit, unlike Toronto, which basically sucks.

Toronto absolutely is the most overrated city in NA.

Montreal is one of the best city in the world from end of April to Mid-October.

 

[JrFischer54]

Brady has played zero (0) playoff games in his career and is getting outscored on a team that is in playoff position.

Bratt is better at the game of hockey.

Brady does seem that he would have a tremendous impact in a playoff series. Not totally his fault the sens aren’t there. Bratt was kinda mia in the last two playoff series if I remember correctly.

Both different types of players bringing their own style and need. If you have a skill team then go get a Brady player to balance it out if you have a physical team go get a to balance the skill out

the real question is how the hell do they ever go back to the all star game?

I don’t think they can do this every year though. Kinda reason it was special is it was so long between meetings also. Can’t wait to watch the rematch at 7am in the Olympics

 

[JrFischer54]

If Brady was available what would be realistic ask and willing to give up to get him. Two different things

 

[BostonDevil]

If Brady was available what would be realistic ask and willing to give up to get him. Two different things

It would be a lot. More than anyone in here would want to spend.

Besides, Sens are in a playoff spot AND why would he want to come here since he has a NMC and Fitz was trying to get his brother who shunned us?

 

[Billdo]

Yeah, I know the antigrit police will be out if I do much as consider the thought, but: I'm worried about Jack Bratt and Nico in a long playoff run. McDavid got rocked, but he and MacKinnon and Matthews and the Tkachuks look built for this shit. Idk how much time he'd need in the weight room but Jack should be hitting the protein shakes.

I don't think bulking up will help. He's not that type of player and that's fine.

 

[None Shall Pass]

I think Jack will underwhelm this tournament and I'm fine with that.

Jack needs to be a center and to drive a line. In this tournament, he's a winger for Auston Matthews. Matter of deployment.

 

[Satans Hockey]

Jack Hughes will have his break out game before this ends. He can't be liking all the attention the Tkachuk Show is getting.

Would love to hear a change for the league's worst goal song next year.

View attachment 978278

You think we have the leagues worst goal song? There's some real stinkers out there and no NHL team should make it their goal song, it's the team USA song now.

 

[JrFischer54]

It would be a lot. More than anyone in here would want to spend.

Besides, Sens are in a playoff spot AND why would he want to come here since he has a NMC and Fitz was trying to get his brother who shunned us?

He’s def not resigning there that’s for sure I’m not saying they shop him or even the devils chase him just wonder what a package would take? Big names get moved and the return is always underwhelming. First and nemec get it done? Or is that under payment or over?

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

the real question is how the hell do they ever go back to the all star game?

The players wouldn't want to be called to international duty every year, it will also water this tournament down like we've seen the novelty of the winter classic/outdoor games after we get like 2-3 every year after it was a yearly thing at first. We have this tournament, Olympics next year and the World Cup of Hockey in 2028. As much as hockey fans say they love this right now, they'd be tired after the multiple times of seeing the same thing. Nostalgia makes the heart grow fond of things, the players are carrying this tournament big time. The issue is if they'd try and they're acing it but who knows how they'd feel if it became a yearly thing. It's not the WJC's where some guys are making cases for draft position and carving at the early stages of their careers? 95% of these guys are solid NHLers.

Jack Hughes will have his break out game before this ends. He can't be liking all the attention the Tkachuk Show is getting.

Would love to hear a change for the league's worst goal song next year.

View attachment 978278

The Devils have 5 Americans on their roster, why on earth would that be their goal song lol

 

[BostonDevil]

He’s def not resigning there that’s for sure I’m not saying they shop him or even the devils chase him just wonder what a package would take? Big names get moved and the return is always underwhelming. First and nemec get it done? Or is that under payment or over?

He's got 3 years left after this one and they are finally in a playoff spot for the first time since he's been there. Why would he ask out now?

Let's assume he does want to leave and he controls the destination. Where do you think he would want to go? Where do you think Quinn would want to go?

Matthew, theoretically, could have come here and he didn't want to. Now that he's in Florida winning Cups, if we were his second choice it would be a very distant second.

I'll play along though. Matthew returned a guy who just put up 115 points and a top pairing defenseman (No matter what we think of them). Being in the Sens position, losing one of their top players I would ask for Bratt.

 

[JrFischer54]

He's got 3 years left after this one and they are finally in a playoff spot for the first time since he's been there. Why would he ask out now?

Let's assume he does want to leave and he controls the destination. Where do you think he would want to go? Where do you think Quinn would want to go?

Matthew, theoretically, could have come here and he didn't want to. Now that he's in Florida winning Cups, if we were his second choice it would be a very distant second.

I'll play along though. Matthew returned a guy who just put up 115 points and a top pairing defenseman (No matter what we think of them). Being in the Sens position, losing one of their top players I would ask for Bratt.

I just don’t see him resigning there I’m not saying he will ask to leave there now or next year but I can see his final year going the same route as his brother. Sens being in playoff contention in Feb is a far cry from being cup contenders in April. I don’t know where he would choose to go I think it’s some place in America that’s for sure probably east coast if I had to guess

Bratt for Brady that’s a pretty even trade one for one just talent and intangibles.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

Weird take, considering Jack Hughes had a very good game. Forced several turnovers and only turned the puck over once, created a two-on-one down low out of nothing where Guentzel fanned on his perfect pass, did very well creating multiple extended pressure shifts in the O zone. The McDavid goal had nothing to do with the forward line, it was simply the best player in the world beating McAvoy one-on-one. I'd like to see Jack shoot more, I think he's overextending a bit to create for Matthews and Guentzel.

Totally agree. First Jack isn’t a right winger. He’s at his best with the puck on
his stick at making things happen when he circling. He’s not built to play along the boards. He’s smart for dumping the puck deep instead of getting crushed along the boards. We definitely do not need him to get injured. And if he was scared he wouldn’t be playing in the NHL. I’ve also noticed that he and Matthews are not on the same page. You can’t put the onus entirety on Jack. Matthews has to take some blame. I rather see Jack in the middle, even if it’s on the 4th line than play right wing on the first line. Jack is a finesse player not a power forward.

 

[Saint Beaurivage]

The players wouldn't want to be called to international duty every year, it will also water this tournament down like we've seen the novelty of the winter classic/outdoor games after we get like 2-3 every year after it was a yearly thing at first. We have this tournament, Olympics next year and the World Cup of Hockey in 2028. As much as hockey fans say they love this right now, they'd be tired after the multiple times of seeing the same thing. Nostalgia makes the heart grow fond of things, the players are carrying this tournament big time. The issue is if they'd try and they're acing it but who knows how they'd feel if it became a yearly thing. It's not the WJC's where some guys are making cases for draft position and carving at the early stages of their careers? 95% of these guys are solid NHLers.



The Devils have 5 Americans on their roster, why on earth would that be their goal song lol

- Because NJ is in the USA? lol.

 

[AfroThunder396]

They should just make Glory Days the goal song. If I was an opposing team fan and I had to hear f***ing Springsteen blaring down on my goalie 4 times a night I would go apoplectic.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

With Makar and Theodore back Canada will have a much better offensive defense. They’re going to be tough to beat on Thursday, because I don’t see them losing this afternoon. Hellebuyck will have to be the best player Thursday night.

 

[Bleedred]

Jack Hughes will have his break out game before this ends. He can't be liking all the attention the Tkachuk Show is getting.

Would love to hear a change for the league's worst goal song next year.

View attachment 978278

I’m not even a fan of Gaslight Anthem, but there’s way worse goal songs.

Columbus and St. Louis are two off the top of my head. Horrible, awful shit ass songs. Maybe I like an endless “Hey, hey, hey” better than an endless “woah, oh, oh” I don’t know lol.

There’s also other goals songs that are fine songs, but just don’t fit as goal songs. I have no idea why don’t you forget about me is a goal song. And since one of my favorite bands covered the song it actually made me start to like the original version. So it’s not that I dislike the song. It’s just not a goal song.

Hall and Oates in Toronto (I know it’s since changed) was another one that just didn’t make sense as a goal song.