Is 4 Nations a “Best on Best”?

[Joe Zanussi]

I’m sure it’s posted elsewhere…but I’m lazy.

Click to read more...

 

[WarriorofTime]

Technically no because it’s a 4-team invitational without open qualification. But it is marketed as such as the four teams have fill nhl player availability.

 

[ORRFForever]

No.

4 teams. No Russia. No dark horses like Czechia or the Swiss or Slovakia. There has to be a bare minimum to be considered Best On Best and this doesn't get close.

This is a warm up (between 4 strong nations) for the Olympics.

 

[Mathieukferland]

No

 

[moropanov]

Yea best againts best games between these nations thats what it means i suppose. Same as if Denmark and Latvia played best of 7 series it would be best againts best.

 

[Crosby2010]

Well, with the 4 countries playing in it, yes. But overall no. Russia, Czechs, Slovakia are all not playing. With the Challenge Cup in 1979 it wasn't the Canada Cup with training camps and lots of practice time or anything. It was like this, it was to replace the All-Star game. And it was the Soviets vs. the NHL. Technically not Canada as the team had all Canadians plus three Swedes. To me it is still important but the Canada Cups were the key to the best on bests. That was the real tournaments.

 

[57special]

Yes, pretty much.

 

[Greatzsky 99]

Does the 4 nations represented have their best available players? Yes
Are the best players in the world represented? No
But it happens a lot, like Zlatan when he was arguable top 5 in the world, wasnt at
FIFA world cup, i guess neither Haaland, worlds best player will be in WC in USA.
Its just the way it is sometimes

 

[ORRFForever]

Well, with the 4 countries playing in it, yes. But overall no. Russia, Czechs, Slovakia are all not playing. With the Challenge Cup in 1979 it wasn't the Canada Cup with training camps and lots of practice time or anything. It was like this, it was to replace the All-Star game. And it was the Soviets vs. the NHL. Technically not Canada as the team had all Canadians plus three Swedes. To me it is still important but the Canada Cups were the key to the best on bests. That was the real tournaments.

For something to be considered Best on Best, there has to be a minimum of 8(?) teams - it provides a chance for an upset.

 

[Miro4Norris]

Yes, it is 4 best hockey countries by far going against each other (Russia doesn’t exist rn and it’s their fault. And well, Russia never really succeed anyways). Of course I prefer Olympics but next year we will get them and before that i will enjoy this tournament without a need to cry that something else is happening in hockey world instead of boring forever-lasting 82 game regular season.