What are the long-term takeaways from the 4 Nations Tournament?

[the]

I really liked this tournament and hope to see something similar in the nesr future.

 

[Curufinwe]

As long as there's no Russia, the tournament holds very little water. The fact the Russian players are being punished because of something they have no control over is ridiculous.

The Olympics might be missing Russia and the US. Maybe they can play each other in a seven game series.

 

[Slats432]

The takeaway I have is that the margins between the USA and Canada is razor thin. Russia can continue to F off for all I care.

That USA team is so good. No holes, and Canada when it comes to hockey seems to have magic when it comes to big moments.

Great tournament and happy the NHL decided to do it.

 

[waitin425]

hopefully the death of the allstar game

The reality is we will get an all star game every two years and a best on best every two years alternating between the World Cup and Olympics. I am down for that. Still wont watch the All-star game though.

 

[fsanford]

Stephen A Smith is talking NHL hockey for most of his show. Normally it's NBA or NFL

That in itself tells you what kind of positive impact this thing has had

 

[Peiskos]

Long term takeaway? Canada remains on its Golden perch when its best players are on the ice. Now winning 11 of the 15 best on best tourneys ever played.

Canada as of this moment remains the kings of the hockey world and with the 2026 Olympics coming up Canada remains the clear cut favourite. With McDavid, MacKinnon, Marner up front, including likely additions of guys like Bedard and Celebrini next year, factor in how Canada easily has the best defender in the world too in Makar. I don't see the landscape changing.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

That the gap between 2014 and 2025 was absolutely inexcusable and should never happen again.

 

[voyageur]

I think maybe the best thing about this tourney was the reluctance to call penalties.

That made it best on best and significantly reduced the chances of star players getting injured blocking shots, laying it out for their country.

Going back to the NHL the whistles will blow, increase the odds for one team or another. Minor stick infractions will be called. Hitting will be called.

You know the Olympic standard of refereeing is a shit show.

This tourney was it, the gold standard.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

Best on best will always be good hockey. Obviously expand it to include russia and the other competitive countries would be the way to go. I would have preferred shorten up the regular season cause we have too many games as it is.

 

[Urbanskog]

Add 4 more teams and 1 more game (semifinal)

Pool A - in Montreal

Canada
Sweden
Czech
Slovakia

Pool B - in Boston

US
Russia
Finland
Germany

Semifinals - in Montreal

Winner Pool A plays 2nd place Pool B
Winner Pool B plays 2nd place Pool A

Finals.......in Montreal

No disrespect to Slovakia but what decade are you in that you would take them over the Swiss?

 

[waitin425]

No disrespect to Slovakia but what decade are you in that you would take them over the Swiss?

Let them have a play in with Germany, the Swiss and Latvia

 

[Long Live Lyle]

Add 4 more teams and 1 more game (semifinal)

Pool A - in Montreal

Canada
Sweden
Czech
Slovakia

Pool B - in Boston

US
Russia
Finland
Germany

Semifinals - in Montreal

Winner Pool A plays 2nd place Pool B
Winner Pool B plays 2nd place Pool A

Finals.......in Montreal

I’d flip Canada and Finland, so you’re guaranteed to get Sweden-Finland playing each other in the round robin and guaranteed to get U.S.-Canada-Russia all playing each other in the round robin. Obviously, the U.S.-Canada-Russia-Germany group would be a bit stronger, but so be it.

I’d also consider having a third city (and/or changing it up from Boston and Montreal) for the semis and championship.

 

[Plante]

It represented that no matter if we lose initial battles against the USA, we’ll still come out top in the end.

 

[Banjo Cat]

So much better than the All-Star games. More teams would be nice. I miss Russia.

 

[BB79]

Since Finland came in last, perhaps if there is another one of these they get replaced by a different country. Maybe a Czech team. Germany and Switzerland also good choices above

 

[Reality Check]

My main takeaway is if someone else wasn't president of the united states, this would have had nowhere near as much spark.

It's a meaningless tournament that is replacing an outdated all-star game. Call it for what it is.

 

[CarolinaBlueJacket]

My main takeaway is if someone else wasn't president of the united states, this would have had nowhere near as much spark.

It's a meaningless tournament that is replacing an outdated all-star game. Call it for what it is.

There is more truth to this than most people want to admit.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

There is more truth to this than most people want to admit.

Nah. It's abig deal. International best on best always has been.

 

[CarolinaBlueJacket]

Nah. It's abig deal. International best on best always has been.

Maybe in Canada, but all of the extra drama around the game caused more media attention in the States. Even though it's my favorite sport, hockey is a niche sport in the US.

 

[Jigger77]

Much, much better than I thought it was going to be I have to be honest. Immediately when I first tuned in my initial reaction was surprise as to how much the players cared. The pace of the game and physical intensity was through the roof. As for the fans, simply amazing how everyone bought in. It felt like an Olympics final. I definitely think the political tension contributed a lot. A perfect storm, so-to-speak. It didn't feel commercialized, didn't feel contrived. A very rare organic, emotional, raw event in modern time. I'm sure they'll do it again, but I doubt it matches how uniquely authentic this was. The closest comparison of what I'm referring to would be the first outdoor game vs the now gimmicky ones.

I hear the team "grow the sport" getting thrown around pretty liberally. In most cases what is grown is people's wallets more than the game of hockey itself. This was a genuine contribution to growth for the game of hockey. Again, a rarity in most of today's synthetic, profit-driven sporting events, in my opinion.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Maybe in Canada, but all of the extra drama around the game caused more media attention in the States. Even though it's my favorite sport, hockey is a niche sport in the US.

Niche sport or not. It was a big deal.