Anyone else pumped for the 4 nations?

[Zine]

but playing for your country means something to the players. Which means the games matter to them. It wont take long for the fans to see that.

Players are getting paid to participate, and some guys have already opted out. So it's not exactly like playing for your country at the Olympics.

More than anything, players will probably use this tournament to prove their value for 2026 Olympic team selections.

 

[ponder719]

Pumped? Eh. Will I watch? Absolutely. I'd have preferred to have some Flyer representation on Team USA, so I could align my rooting interests fully, but still, it's better hockey than I normally get to see, one team is my country, and two others have players from my team (and the third was supposed to, get well soon so we can trade you, Risto!)

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

not "pumped" but intrigued to see how hard these guys will play

I imagine they will get more intense the more they play

 

[eXile3]

Would be if I could actually watch them but for some reason outside a couple ESPN+ games they are stuck on dying cable.

Great job as always NHL.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

I am.

It's going to be exciting to watch all of these unique combinations and of course the Canada-US game should be great.

 

[ShootIt]

Just hoping for no injuries, for any player.

Haven't checked the times, but if it's available on ESPN+ I try to watch a bit

 

[ViD]

I just wish it was 8 teams instead of 4. Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Germany. Russia too, but I get it, I guess.

I understand why it's 4 teams so that the schedule is light and its over within 2 weeks, but at least 8 would've been more fun.

Russia should be allowed to play in an NHL sanctioned tournament, there should be no ifs or buts about it.

There’s enough Russian players under NHL contract that can make a team and you can call it “Russian All Stars” or something else to avoid the legal shenanigans

 

[BHawk21]

Players are getting paid to participate, and some guys have already opted out. So it's not exactly like playing for your country at the Olympics.

More than anything, players will probably use this tournament to prove their value for 2026 Olympic team selections.

1 guy has opted out. What are they getting paid? I seriously dont know.

 

[FlyguyOX]

Russia should be allowed to play in an NHL sanctioned tournament, there should be no ifs or buts about it.

There’s enough Russian players under NHL contract that can make a team and you can call it “Russian All Stars” or something else to avoid the legal shenanigans

Absolutely agree, and think it's common sense, but don't want to get into all that.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I’ll reserve judgment till the final. If it’s played with a soft, conservative tone like the ASG where nobody wants to get injured, I’ll be disappointed and remember it is a worthless gimmick. If the players really lean into the competition and play hard to win, I’ll love that we finally got to see a best on best tournament in this generation.

It’s up to the players, really.

 

[Leonardo87]

Not in the slightest.

Enjoy the 2 week all star games. Nobody is going out there to get hurt.

Yup. A lot of these guys don’t want to get hurt and miss games with their NHL club, whether it’s trying to make the playoffs or getting a new contract , why risk injury for a tournament that is not a WC or the Olympics.

 

[yeaher]

There are going be multiple major injuries, hopefully to not my team, but yeah not excited due to the injuries that invariably come with this, and who the f*** cares who wins this thing? Russia isn't even there, the greatest active player isn't even in this as he approaches the most sacred record in hockey. Ludicrous.

 

[Zanon]

Quinn Hughes injury tanked my interest. Still gonna watch but yeah.

 

[Spilot23]

Right now I'm pumped to see Mack and Crosby together same with Canada powerplay how it will look. Other than that I would've prefered Mack, Makar and Toews to skip it. If one of these three gets hurt during that tournament we will have a hard time catching Minny and Dallas in the standings.

 

[HockeyVirus]

I am, but I get excited for all kinds of hockey events.

A little sad I am going to miss Canada vs USA, I already promised my wife I would take her out to a show that night. Hopefully they meet in the finals for the rematch

 

[ReimanSum1908]

but playing for your country means something to the players. Which means the games matter to them. It wont take long for the fans to see that.

I'm not really certain that it does when the tournament is completely manufactured as opposed to being "authentic' like the Olympics. Will they care, certainly, but to the degree that they would in a Gold medal game, or during the playoffs? I don't believe so.

 

[Steddy33]

At the very least Czechia and Russia needs to be included for this to matter to me

 

[shello]

I really am. I don’t really understand the hate for the tournament, it’s different and a better format than the traditional all star game. And we get to see Sid play with McDavid, so a lot of things people have been asking for

 

[Silky Johnson]

I don't like that it's only these four.

My favorite part of any international tournament is the early rounds when all the podunk teams are playing.

For me, Saudi Arabia beating Argentina was the highlight of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Did you watch the final? That may have been the most exciting football game ever played - and certainly considering the stakes.

 

[ORRFForever]

I'm looking forward to watching but on a scale of 1 to 10, my hype level is a 6.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Many are watching just to see the Cole Harbour buddies Crosby and MacKinnon play together on the same line.

 

[Mr Positive]

I don't consider it true best on best but it's still cool AF

It's a great stepping stone for Olympics. I need to see McDavid playing with guys like Crosby and Makar. Even all the rival teams are going to be fun to watch. They are all super teams. We don't get to see that anymore.

There is national pride at stake as well so it's at least way better than some all star weekend where no one cares at all

 

[ORRFForever]

I don't consider it true best on best but it's still cool AF

It's a great stepping stone for Olympics. I need to see McDavid playing with guys like Crosby and Makar. Even all the rival teams are going to be fun to watch. They are all super teams. We don't get to see that anymore.

There is national pride at stake as well so it's at least way better than some all star weekend where no one cares at all

Well said.

 

[BelovedIsles]

Very excited. The NHL playoffs and best-on-best hockey tournaments are the two greatest sporting events. I just hope I can find a stream.

 

[Lenny Levino]

Honestly, I could not be less interested in the tournament, and I hope that it is never repeated as it compromises the NHL schedule to no benefit. The Olympics mean something. The World Cup means something less. This means nothing at all to me and compromises the products in which I am genuinely invested.

Still, if there are people who enjoy it, may they do so fully.

No tournament "means anything" in an objective sense. The Olympics is a corrupt organization only out to make money. Same with the NHL. All of this stuff is bread and circuses for the masses.

When watching the NHL you're literally paying money to watch millionaires skate around on ice while they make even more millions for their billionaire owners.

Not saying it's wrong to watch the NHL (I watch it). But lets get real. At least during this cup the players are playing for their countries.