Which NHL Team benefits most from this tournament for the remainder of the season?

[1989]

First off, not counting topics like "what about injuries" because there's no point in talking about something that COULD happen but isn't guaranteed. But you know what is guaranteed? General Fatigue

As we witnessed last night, players are giving at least 90%+ effort out there. MacKinnon was not sparing the rockets, the tempo overall was very high.

I wonder how it changes the Stanley Cup chase, especially for a team considered to be a contender and hasn't won a Cup with its current core. For example:

• Oilers who have McDavid and Ekholm, their #1 C and #1D play full-tilt, but Germany's Draisaitl doesn't have to represent and is instead resting, feels like a 50/50 benefit;
• Florida with Bennett, Reinhart, Barkov and Tkachuk all playing key roles for their respective teams but they have won a Cup so they might see this all as a bonus competition;
• Then there's teams like Calgary and Vancouver where either only one player (Andersson/Petterson) is playing a key role, and they're trying to keep their wildcard position so they might have a net benefit down the line as fewer players were selected.

Will certain NHL teams be more affected due to late-season fatigue/rest?
Should we expect to see less intensity in the games down the line from certain players who have their eye on the Stanley Cup?

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[JoeSakic13]

Outside of the ones you mentioned, added note to the starting goalies who get to rest ahead of a playoff run.

Florida and Washington are leading the East going into the break for this tournament and both their starters get time off.

 

[Miro4Norris]

Vegas for finally getting one Guy to the LTIR until playoff time

 

[filinski77]

Capitals. One of the best teams in the league, and 0 players in the tournament.

They don't risk any injury, and everyone gets time to heal up. Win win.

 

[bobholly39]

A different way of looking at it - which players will have a stellar tournament here, and ride that momentum for rest of seasons/playoffs into an unbelievable performance?

Carey Price did it in the 2014 Olympics. MVP performance at Olympics, came back and led his team to ECF till injury as underdogs, and swept hart/lindsay/vezina next season.

Maybe Matthews shines as MVP in a gold winning performance for US - and goes back super motivated and scores 30+ goals in remaining 27 games to win Rocket, and rides that into a stellar playoff performance for Leafs? And if not Matthews, Helle, or Crosby, or McDavid, or MacKinnon, or anyone else.

 

[Grifter3511]

Canucks. EP can't get any worse....maybe some international competition gets him going ever so slightly. And the best player in the league ( ) gets 2 weeks off to heal up.

 

[ThatGuy22]

The Wild. 2 weeks without games for Kaprizov to get healthy.

 

[NyQuil]

Ullmark is a funny case.

He just returned from injury so he could get back into game shape (if he plays) or he could potentially get hurt again.

Ottawa would very much like him to be a big and positive influence on their run to try to make the playoffs.

 

[Faterson]

So much drama for 3 to 4 extra gimmick games?

The general factor of 2 weeks of rest for all teams is more important than the extra games for the select few.

But the 2-week break should have been used for a genuine international hockey tournament, not this travesty.

Hopefully, international tournaments for at least 8 teams will become the norm and obligation for the future, as envisioned for 2028. If you can't make a tournament for at least 8 teams, don't bother to organize any tournament.

 

[robertocarlos]

Pittsburgh. Best player in the world and a winning coach.

 

[Bertuzzzi44]

Vancouver, Q. Hughes gets to recover, Demko gets to rest. Pettersson gets a refresh playing with his countrymen, new teammates get to find places to rent & get a chance to settle in. 4 nations couldn’t have come at a better time for the Canucks.

 

[Ratsreign]

Looks like it’s gonna be Vegas...

 

[EK47]

First off, not counting topics like "what about injuries" because there's no point in talking about something that COULD happen but isn't guaranteed. But you know what is guaranteed? General Fatigue

As we witnessed last night, players are giving at least 90%+ effort out there. MacKinnon was not sparing the rockets, the tempo overall was very high.

I wonder how it changes the Stanley Cup chase, especially for a team considered to be a contender and hasn't won a Cup with its current core. For example:

• Oilers who have McDavid and Ekholm, their #1 C and #1D play full-tilt, but Germany's Draisaitl doesn't have to represent and is instead resting, feels like a 50/50 benefit;
• Florida with Bennett, Reinhart, Barkov and Tkachuk all playing key roles for their respective teams but they have won a Cup so they might see this all as a bonus competition;
• Then there's teams like Calgary and Vancouver where either only one player (Andersson/Petterson) is playing a key role, and they're trying to keep their wildcard position so they might have a net benefit down the line as fewer players were selected.

Will certain NHL teams be more affected due to late-season fatigue/rest?
Should we expect to see less intensity in the games down the line from certain players who have their eye on the Stanley Cup?

Andersson didn’t even play last game how is that a key role?