Is 4 Nations a “Best on Best”?

[Joe Zanussi]

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

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[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.

 

[Jumptheshark]

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

Nope. AS other have pointed out, there were not qualification games to get into the games. I think two of Germany, Swiss or Czechs should have been in as well.. By only having the FIns and Swedes in the game, I believe the NHL left a lot of money on the table

 

[WarriorofTime]

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

But world cups can be seen as extensive to the qualification events where their countries did participate.

Now if a tournament is big enough to where lack of qualification is a matter of form not substance I understand but with four teams, that’s far too small imo.

 

[Czechboy]

I say no it isn't

BUT, if Czechs were in and won it.. you'd never hear the end of it.

Reminds me of a subway series in Junior to be honest. Great hockey, important but not the same as winning a U20.

 

[Albatros]

To me it is still important but the Canada Cups were the key to the best on bests. That was the real tournaments.

They also frequently included depleted rosters.