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

[Seras]

No Russia, no point

 

[daver]

No Russia, no point

Wouldn't matter, the answer to the OP would still be Kucherov.

 

[ZEBROA]

No Russia, no point

No Russia is the point.

But in a fake tournament like this they could make the world team.

 

[Saga of the Elk]

I get the feeling these are going to be largely unbalanced, uncompetitive and un-entertaining games. At least one player will be injured and forced to miss the playoffs. For what? To be more like the NBA. It's beyond disrespectful to cut out the Czechs, Swiss and Slovaks and really just enhances the reputation of hockey as an exclusive club to which you people need not apply. A fitting disgraceful end to Bettman's tenure that he could not elevate hockey to its proper place as the crowning sport of the Winter Olympics but rather chose a jokey tournament that undercut the cherished position of the Stanley Cup as the greatest trophy in the sporting world. Boo.

 

[Czechboy]

I was JUST going to post that Gudas-Giroux clip (both playing for Philly at the time). Cracks me up every time I see it. Thanks!

Just want to give you kudos for your poster name! Brilliant.

 

[Snuggs]

I've never loved the idea of replacing the all-stars with this... but hey they're(nhl) trying to market internationally (Europe) hard.

 

[IronBloodedLion]

I might watch a few games, but I’m mostly focused on catching up on Severance and One Piece.

 

[GuyCANCZE]

Just want to give you kudos for your poster name! Brilliant.

Always been a fan of yours as well.

 

[Ducati Boy]

I think there’s one factor that contributes to people’s lack of interest here- as fans of particular NHL teams we are ‘friendly’ with all our team’s international players, especially in midseason.

I’m a Canadian but also a Tampa fan so if I see Sam Bennett level Hedman, I’ll be pissed. I bet it even affects the players. If you are Hagel or Cirelli and your linemate Bennett clobbers Heddy or Guentzel, you probably won’t feel too good about sharing the bench or locker room with him. Know what I mean?

 

[Curufinwe]

I question if people who aren’t interested in this tournament are actually hockey fans, or just fans of their team.

This will be the highest quality hockey in a decade. Literally the first time we’ve seen players like Crosby, McDavid, and MacKinnon play Matthews, Eichel and Hughes.

I think it's a decent warmup for the Olympics which will also not feature the country currently waging an illegal war of aggression in Europe.

I feel bad for the Fins getting so many injuries, though.

 

[Curufinwe]

It’s a little bit of a joke when players are sitting out a tournament when they are healthy enough to play NHL games.

Either you can play or you cannot. It makes a mockery of the tournament.

I will be specifically rooting against the Knights and Canucks, and the two players who chose to sit out. Further, both players should be punished by their national ice hockey federation and suspended for the Olympics next year.

Don't forget the Flyers holding out Risto.

 

[the valiant effort]

I question if people who aren’t interested in this tournament are actually hockey fans, or just fans of their team.

I don’t question if people who are interested in this “tournament” are one of Gary’s lapdogs.

 

[604]

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?

If the players play hard, it’ll be some of the best hockey we ever get to see.

If the players treat it as exhibition or worse, an all-star game, I will quickly tune out.