Are other NHLers allowed to play for their nations during the Four Nations ?

[ViD]

I don’t see why Russia can’t square off against Slovakia (their political leaders might allow it) or Belarus at the very least.

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[Czechboy]

Who is stopping Russian from playing Belarus?

Have at it!

Slovakia, Germany, Czechs and Swiss are a bit more complicated.

From a completely non political view.. it'd be a tremendous B tournament. However, talent wise, Russia is obviously a Top 5 nation and it should be a 5 nations cup.

From a political view.. I give this thread 24 hours till it is derailed. My guess is the "Euro hours' have it cancelled by noon EST.

 

[WayTooCold]

Like Russia has ever needed permission from other nations to do whatever they want.

The 5 team tournament would be pretty good actually.
1. Russia
2. Czechia
3. Slovakia
4. Team Europe ( Germany, Swiss etc. )
5. Belarus

 

[Kuracmugger]

Like Russia has ever needed permission from other nations to do whatever they want.

The 5 team tournament would be pretty good actually.
1. Russia
2. Czechia
3. Slovakia
4. Team Europe ( Germany, Swiss etc. )
5. Belarus

Why would belarus and slovakia be on their own when germany and switzerland both have double the amount of NHL players and are better?

 

[WayTooCold]

Why would belarus and slovakia be on their own when germany and switzerland both have double the amount of NHL players and are better?

KHL heavy tournament. I forgot Team Kazakhstan. So 6 teams in total.

They all have very little NHLers in general. for example Russia have only 60 NHLers. While Sweden have 80. Even tho Russia has bigger population and the perfect environment to play hockey.

By the number of KHL players and they have their own KHL team Dinamo Minsk: KHL Totals by Nationality ‑ 2024‑2025 Stats

Belarus, Slovakia, Germany and Switzerland are on similar level on international ice. For example Germany played for Olympic gold medal in 2018.

 

[Kuracmugger]

KHL heavy tournament. I forgot Team Kazakhstan. So 6 teams in total.

They all have very little NHLers in general. for example Russia have only 60 NHLers. While Sweden have 80. Even tho Russia has bigger population and the perfect environment to play hockey.

By the number of KHL players and they have their own KHL team Dinamo Minsk: KHL Totals by Nationality ‑ 2024‑2025 Stats

Belarus, Slovakia, Germany and Switzerland are on similar level on international ice. For example Germany played for Olympic gold medal in 2018.

Germany and switzerland have 0 khl players

 

[WarriorofTime]

Probably not. They’d probably need permission from the nhl team.

 

[Albatros]

Yes, the SPC forbids such games.

 

[Crosby2010]

I sincerely wish Russia was playing in this tournament as it is. We have had international hockey at the top level taken away from us for almost a decade so the 4 nations is all we've had for a long time, so I'm happy with that so long as the players put in the effort. But in reality there is a team that can have the reigning Art Ross winner, a Vezina and a Conn Smythe winner, a 9-time goal scoring champ, a three-time Cup winner who is also a two-time Art Ross winner, a player who has led the NHL in points at different times this season and a player who got 120 points a year ago and possibly the Calder winner. And none of them are the same player. And this team isn't allowed to play. It's too bad, because nothing was stopping the NHL from allowing it.

 

[ORRFForever]

I sincerely wish Russia was playing in this tournament as it is. We have had international hockey at the top level taken away from us for almost a decade so the 4 nations is all we've had for a long time, so I'm happy with that so long as the players put in the effort. But in reality there is a team that can have the reigning Art Ross winner, a Vezina and a Conn Smythe winner, a 9-time goal scoring champ, a three-time Cup winner who is also a two-time Art Ross winner, a player who has led the NHL in points at different times this season and a player who got 120 points a year ago and possibly the Calder winner. And none of them are the same player. And this team isn't allowed to play. It's too bad, because nothing was stopping the NHL from allowing it.

Yes, I don't get embracing Russian players while distancing themselves from a Russian team. Politics and sports should NOT mix - it has never made things better.

 

[archangel2]

Like Russia has ever needed permission from other nations to do whatever they want.

The 5 team tournament would be pretty good actually.
1. Russia
2. Czechia
3. Slovakia
4. Team Europe ( Germany, Swiss etc. )
5. Belarus

Team Europe? but you have Belarus?

 

[archangel2]

no politics.

But on the actually subject. NHL players have contracts. For a player to play hockey anywhere outside of NHL games, the team must release them to said team. This included national teams

 

[Leonardo87]

We are done here, since some of you cannot help yourselves and have to bring up politics. Do not make another thread. Thank you.