Okay, I was wrong, the 4 Nations WAS excellent hockey. Here is my review on it.

[Crosby2010]

I'll own it, I did a thread asking others a few months back if they are as "meh" about this tournament as I am. I felt it would be an All-Star style of play where the players are scared to get hurt and the stakes aren't high. Hey, who can blame me? The NHL is known for messing up everything they touch. The 2016 World Cup had gimmick teams, then no World Cup or Olympics for 9 years, honestly I thought they would drop the ball on this one. I will say this though, I did originally say that if the players are invested in it then it changes everything. And they were, wow were they ever. I got excited about this tournament as it got closer and I admittedly realized I was wrong for thinking it might just be exhibition-like. These guys wanted it. There had been 9 years without best on best. I missed it. From the moment they brought Mario onto the ice in the pregame ceremony in the 1st game against Sweden in Montreal I will admit I was hooked again.

So here were some observations.

Never again should we say that Binnington can't win a big game. Unless something drastic happens he's on the 2026 Olympic team. That overtime was just epic. Just what the doctor ordered, and you know what, there wasn't one game where he didn't keep us in it and give his team a chance to win, not even the loss in the round robin. Hill is a fine back up and Thompson likely is on the 2026 team as well. That might not be future HHOF goaltending, but it is good goaltending.

While I do think there might have been a grinder or two too many on the team, they were needed for the sandpaper factor. Bennett stood out I thought. He fit right in. Not sure about Cirelli though, Tom Wilson would be a good fit next year and Konecny should probably be replaced with Scheifele or someone, but either way this team was built to win all different styles of game.

Crosby is an ageless wonder. He still has "it". Make him captain in 2026. MacKinnon and McDavid both rose to the occasion too. I might like to see some more experimenting with line combinations because the Olympics will give us more time but either way it worked.

The fighting was unreal. Three fights in 9 seconds to start a game. I've never seen that and I am pretty sure that has never happened in an NHL game ever. If I'm wrong I would love to see the boxscore of that game. The teams had animosity and that made for some great hockey.

Canada's defense is a lot deeper than we tend to give it credit for. Drew Doughty is far from old. He was effective and played just how you'd expect a wily veteran whose won everything can play. But the players that went down like Pietrangelo, Doughty was his replacement. Theodore who is a stud goes down and Harley comes in and performs well for a guy expecting to be lying on a beach during this time. Parayko was a tower of strength, he definitely is in the running for 2026. Makar is a huge difference maker. It is like having Ray Bourque back there, honestly. And while we're at it, Canada has a lot of guys like Dobson, Weegar, Bouchard, Power, etc. Lots of talent not there. Morrissey goes down as well in the final game and Canada picks up the slack.

On the flip side, we did almost lose. Lots can still be learned from a win. You don't just rest on your laurels. We blew a 3-1 3rd period lead against Sweden and Binnington was strong in overtime to help us win. We scored 1st in every single game, but when we were up 4-0 against Finland we let them get back into the game late in the 3rd. Still won 5-3 but that killer instinct and that nail in the coffin is needed. This is why I always look to Gretzky or Tom Brady and you see their greatness for what it is. They never took a game or a shift or a drive off. This needs to be the attitude. I too thought a 4-0 lead was safe but I'm not a player, if I was out there I'd gun for the 5th goal. Never take your foot off the pedal. Not against these teams.

I would say that in 2026 there should be a change or two but not a ton of them. We'll see how one of the youngsters in Bedard or Celebrini are doing by then. It would be nice to have some more speed and skill up front. We had lots, but another young one playing with one of our big name centres would be key. Not sure if Marchand makes it next year although he was impressive too I thought. Definitely tailor made for these things.

And lastly, USA put a scare into us. That was a good team on the other end. They'll be our biggest test in 2026 as well I think. But I am thinking up to 5 players get changed on this team for some minor improvements. Could have Russia playing, will likely have the Czechs and of course Sweden and Finland. You have to find a team that can play any style.

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[koyvoo]

Don’t worry OP, you weren’t the only one with the boneheaded opinion that it would be pre-season to all star game level competition level.

At least you’re smart enough not to double down on the opinion after being proven wrong. Some posters actually fought against the current so hard that they did that.

 

[Crosby2010]

Don’t worry OP, you weren’t the only one with the boneheaded opinion that it would be pre-season to all star game level competition level.

At least you’re smart enough not to double down on the opinion after being proven wrong. Some posters actually fought against the current so hard that they did that.

Oh yeah, it didn't take long. I think once the rosters were being selected I got that buzz in me and it was feeling different. And then the crowd in the the pregame in Montreal in the first game, it was like thinking you are too old for Disneyland and as soon as you walk down Main Street and see the Castle you are hooked in again, lol. To me it was like that. I can't imagine who would have watched that hockey and still clung to the idea it was just an All-Star game replacement. It very much wasn't. And the McDavid to Crosby to MacKinnon goal in the opening minute. I mean, come on!

 

[Zybalto]

 

[ORRFForever]

I was amazed.

I was sure it would be garbage and no one would try. Instead, we got some of the best hockey in recent memory.

I would have preferred more teams and 2 semi final matches but, given what we got, I would give it a 8/10.

 

[ORRFForever]

While we're reviewing stuff...



Companion (2025):

Josh is a “sad, bitter, weak human being” who manages to find a girlfriend to make his life better. Unfortunately, he wants more.

Companion is an early candidate for the BEST MOVIE OF 2025 - it is original, clever and REALLY funny!

I recommend against watching the trailer or looking at the movie poster - they give away too much. Better to see this movie ice cold. If curiosity gets the better of you, a NON spoiler teaser is attached below.

9/10

Companion | Teaser Trailer

 

[Summer Rose]

I was greatly looking forward to it, if only to have some fun bragging rights if the USA won, but figured the intensity of the games would be about somewhere in between a regular season game and the average first round playoff series (someone made a poll about what kind of intensity people were expecting and I think I voted for the latter in the poll).

My expectations were blown out of the water. We're certainly not going to see that level of intensity again until the playoffs, and likely not until the SCF itself (though rounds earlier than that can sometimes feature games and series with extremely high intensity for other reasons).

 

[Peiskos]

15 years after #87 Crosby's 2010 Golden Goal over the US, he hands the reigns of the national team to #97 McDavid for another Golden Goal over the US.

Absolute Poetry.

 

[Banjo Cat]

I still prefer the NHL. But it was the most NHLish an international tournament has ever been. Way better than the all-star game. It's got nothing on the playoffs though. Not even close.

 

[Czechboy]

15 years after #87 Crosby's 2010 Golden Goal over the US, he hands the reigns of the national team to #97 McDavid for another Golden Goal over the US.

Absolute Poetry. View attachment 982192

2010.. us goes to OT and was this close to being champ.

2025.. us goes to OT and was this close to being champ.

I do think these 2 meet again in one of the next 2 finals 2026 Olympics and 2028 world cup. Not both though

 

[Crosby2010]

I still prefer the NHL. But it was the most NHLish an international tournament has ever been. Way better than the all-star game. It's got nothing on the playoffs though. Not even close.

1996 World Cup in the Canada/USA games was pretty nasty and had plenty of hatred and animosity.

 

[hamzarocks]

2010.. us goes to OT and was this close to being champ.

2025.. us goes to OT and was this close to being champ.

I do think these 2 meet again in one of the next 2 finals 2026 Olympics and 2028 world cup. Not both though

That depends if Russia is allowed to play in any of those tourney's

Add russia in and it is less of a certainty for CAN vs US matchup in the finals

 

[koyvoo]

That depends if Russia is allowed to play in any of those tourney's

Add russia in and it is less of a certainty for CAN vs US matchup in the finals

Why would that be the case? Anything can happen in a one off playoff, and lottery of unknown knockout brackets, but based on strength of squads alone, Russia isn’t close to the North American national teams.

They’ve played in exactly one best on best final since the fall of the Soviet Union, and that was over a quarter of a century ago.

 

[hamzarocks]

Why would that be the case? Anything can happen in a one off playoff, and lottery of unknown knockout brackets, but based on strength of squads alone, Russia isn’t close to the North American national teams.

They’ve played in exactly one best on best final since the fall of the Soviet Union, and that was over a quarter of a century ago.

Russia has firepower and still quite a lot of elite talent

They lack centers which hurts their case but have the best winger in the league and the 2nd-4th best as well.

Goaltending if on is the best in the world level.

They aren't certainty for a final but they would present a bigger challenge than Finland and current Sweden have.

Canada vs US didnt happen in 98, 06 or 14 Olympics with NHL players so more quality teams will increasr chances to see different final matchups in official best tournys

 

[Czechboy]

That depends if Russia is allowed to play in any of those tourney's

Add russia in and it is less of a certainty for CAN vs US matchup in the finals

Wasn't factoring them in at all to be honest. Don't expect them at either and don't think they'd win if they were.

 

[Old Man Jags]

Wasn't factoring them in at all to be honest. Don't expect them at either and don't think they'd win if they were.

People overrate Russia here massively. They always have great players but often the sum of their parts is less than what it should be. Partially out is because they often try to shine with individual actions instead of playing like a team, that has been their problem for a while. Some who comment here always go on about how all tournaments are worthless because the Russians are not in them, as if they won everything if they played. Let's look at the actual evidence then. The Soviet Union dissolved in 1991 and Russia emerged among the many post Soviet nations. Remind me, how many best-on-best Olympics have they won since then? How many best-on-best World Cups?

 

[Czechboy]

People overrate Russia here massively. They always have great players but often the sum of their parts is less than what it should be. Partially out is because they often try to shine with individual actions instead of playing like a team, that has been their problem for a while. Some who comment here always go on about how all tournaments are worthless because the Russians are not in them, as if they won everything if they played. Let's look at the actual evidence then. The Soviet Union dissolved in 1991 and Russia emerged among the many post Soviet nations. Remind me, how many best-on-best Olympics have they won since then? How many best-on-best World Cups?

Posters are convinced they will be reinstated soon! Hell, might be an announcement tomorrow. Posters are convinced they are gold contenders when they do. I don't see either as very likely. Last big medal was 2002 Bronze over Belarus (after knocking us out in the Quarters).

But, I've been repeatedly told that the past does not matter. There currently is no present. There currently is no future. So I'm not sure what the hell to talk about when it comes to Russia.lol

 

[Peiskos]

People overrate Russia here massively. They always have great players but often the sum of their parts is less than what it should be. Partially out is because they often try to shine with individual actions instead of playing like a team, that has been their problem for a while. Some who comment here always go on about how all tournaments are worthless because the Russians are not in them, as if they won everything if they played. Let's look at the actual evidence then. The Soviet Union dissolved in 1991 and Russia emerged among the many post Soviet nations. Remind me, how many best-on-best Olympics have they won since then? How many best-on-best World Cups?

100% they do. Couldn't have said it better myself.

People need to think logically, just look at their defence core, Canada would have their way with Russia, they would struggle greatly to contain McDavid, MacKinnon, Marner, Makar etc

And to answer the question, Russia actually have 0 tournament wins as Russia at a best vs best, their only came in 1981 at the Canada Cup and they were the USSR.

Same people who claim the 4 nations isn't a best vs best, like umm last I checked the US iced their very best team possible, Canada iced its very best team possible...that's best vs best.

 

[Boonk]

I was kinda looking forward to it but not wholely caring. Seeing McJesus, MacK and Sid with a ridiculous team around them playing for some sort of national pride after a decade was too intriguing to at least not check in for.

After that first game vs Sweden tho? I was hooked. Every game was superb to watch. Hockey has been sorely missing this, and no all-star game weekend can replicate that give-a-shit factor in any format like an international best v best tournament where players represent their country. To them, that matters.

Next edition definitely needs more teams. We will see what comes of the Russia situation in 2028, they have some fresh blood and young talent coming up and if/whenever the ban lifts thats another high quality team. Teams like Czechia, Swiss, Slovaks, Germans with their best NHLers and Euros can beat any of the top teams on a good day now.