Who else has very little interest in the Four Nations tournament?

[Crosby2010]

I'll say it, this is borderline exhibition hockey to me. The 2026 Olympics will be a blast. I can't wait. I don't like the idea of Russia not playing in it as it takes away what could be such great hockey, and it penalizes a lot of players that have nothing to do with anything going on in the world. Too many great players in the NHL on Russia not being able to showcase their talent or play for their country either in the 4 Nations in 2025 or possibly even the Olympics. Not good. So that alone makes it less competitive for me and I for one have never liked boycotting and not allowing a country to compete in things like this.

Secondly, how much of an exhibition-like feel will this have? Is McDavid going to go full out for this tournament? Will Makar and MacKinnon play hard against Rantanen two days after playing together in Colorado? I think there is more to lose with the Olympics but my thought is that this won't be the competitive tournament in 2025 that some might think it will be. The Olympics is the Olympics. Mario and Yzerman certainly cost themselves a bit healthwise by playing in 2002. But it was worth it. Would anyone do this in 2025?

Thoughts?

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[BallardEra]

I’m with you.

 

[Another Empty Netter]

Seems like a way for the NHL to try out new rules, and for your regular stable of players to get injured outside of important stuff like season or playoff wins.

However- if the players are psyched and the hockey is fantastic - I’m all in.

How difficult will it be to watch tho - seems like it’s tricky to watch games now.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

No Russia = waste of time

 

[JPT]

I couldn't care less about it

 

[RebuildinVan]

I mean, I will pay attention from a distance but its definitely not must watch TV for me

 

[WarriorofTime]

we'll see how we all feel once the thing starts, it's basically like an appetizer to the Olympics. I suspect whichever country wins it will act like it's really important and the others will say it's irrelevant.

 

[Bard Marchand]

Could not care less. But maybe if they keep this tradition going long term it could eventually feel important and become exciting. Also, no Russia is a negative.

 

[Crosby2010]

we'll see how we all feel once the thing starts, it's basically like an appetizer to the Olympics. I suspect whichever country wins it will act like it's really important and the others will say it's irrelevant.

As a Canadian obviously it is nice to see Canada win. But for one, there is no Russia, so that is like starting the NHL playoffs and taking away a top contender of two and then acting as if nothing happened. Secondly, how will the players view it? To me the 2026 Olympics is the true test to who is the best. And I think this even if Canada wins.

 

[SJSharksfan39]

I feel like the NHL Media is trying to hype it up as big as they can because it's the first international competition in several years. From a guy living in the Bay Area, I don't really have an interest in it yet and I'm bummed that the break in the schedule in February will just extend the season more. Maybe the closer we get to it the more excited I will be, but right now I don't really care.

 

[Rcknrollkillnmachine]

Mickey Mouse tournament.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Yeah, to be honest it's not that interesting.

 

[DRW895]

You aren`t alone

 

[PaulD]

4 teams. Some NHL superstars not playi as their from countries that aren't entered??
Better than all star game / festivals for sure.....but as far as international best in the world goes.....Ide rank it after behind 72, 76, 80, 81, 84, 87, 91, 96, 98, 02, 06, 10, 14, 16 .....yea....right behind those.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I am basically just looking at it as way better then an All Star game. I will watch it but not with as much attention or care as the Olympics in 26 or even close really. Will be cool to get to see McDavid back in a Canada sweater with all the top guys.

 

[Duder54]

I'll say it, this is borderline exhibition hockey to me. The 2026 Olympics will be a blast. I can't wait. I don't like the idea of Russia not playing in it as it takes away what could be such great hockey, and it penalizes a lot of players that have nothing to do with anything going on in the world. Too many great players in the NHL on Russia not being able to showcase their talent or play for their country either in the 4 Nations in 2025 or possibly even the Olympics. Not good. So that alone makes it less competitive for me and I for one have never liked boycotting and not allowing a country to compete in things like this.

Secondly, how much of an exhibition-like feel will this have? Is McDavid going to go full out for this tournament? Will Makar and MacKinnon play hard against Rantanen two days after playing together in Colorado? I think there is more to lose with the Olympics but my thought is that this won't be the competitive tournament in 2025 that some might think it will be. The Olympics is the Olympics. Mario and Yzerman certainly cost themselves a bit healthwise by playing in 2002. But it was worth it. Would anyone do this in 2025?

Thoughts?

Count me among those who have next to zero interest in this 4 team “tournament.”

 

[Voight]

I don think players will be giving their best they ay they would at the Olympics. If you're going to go all-in it isn't worth it for what amounts to a couple of exhibition games. Winning it will just be a footnote on the resume of most if not all the guys on the winning team.

I am basically just looking at it as way better then an All Star game. I will watch it but not with as much attention or care as the Olympics in 26 or even close really. Will be cool to get to see McDavid back in a Canada sweater with all the top guys.

The last best on best tournament he played in was the 2015 WJC a decade ago.

(By best on best I mean the WJC is basically the Olympics for the U20 players, i.e. its the best young players in the world playing against each other)

 

[MS]

Literally zero interest.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

Might be my first time watching an all star game since John Scott

 

[Auston Marlander]

No interest right now, but will watch (if I'm available ) when it's on, like pretty much everyone else (on HFB) who isn't interested right now.

 

[D Wakaluk]

It's a nothing tournament in my eyes. Just makes the NHL schedule extra busy.

Russia being in or out has literally zero impact. If they were in, Finland and Sweden would opt out so you would have a three nations tournament.

 

[Shocker]

Not Olympics, so couldn't give a shit.

Also i'd rather have Finland and Sweden instead of Russia, you can be sure as f*** that those won't be in if Russia is in.

 

[Blitzkrug]

It's a nothing tournament in my eyes. Just makes the NHL schedule extra busy.

Russia being in or out has literally zero impact. If they were in, Finland and Sweden would opt out so you would have a three nations tournament.

This. It's meaningless. I legit forgot this was even happening until this thread.

It's supposed to grow the game but in reality it's a f*** you to all of the more mid-sized hockey nations like Czechia, Slovakia, Germany, etc who usually also get to participate. Instead we get "the four nations but in reality these four countries have the most NHL players so it's easy to organize" tournament.

The NBA mid-season tournament has more credibility because while yes, it's whack, guys at least put effort in since money is on the line, and who doesn't like to have more money?

Obviously guys don't get paid for the Olympics but at the very least the prestige/legacy is more than enough to entice players to play. Not really the case with this.

 

[Jormungandr]

I don’t like how they just left the Czechs out. Ridiculous.

 

[Unlimited Chequing]

I'm so uninterested that I haven't even bother to look up any details, despite everyone talking about it.