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

[Zine]

Re: Russia. I think a lot of posters wanting them in international hockey have a too idealized view of Russian hockey. They remember the past fondly and think the present Russian team would be, and play, the same.

But, really, would all of the Russian NHL'ers who have lived and worked in Canada the United States even WANT to play for Russia?

Off the top of my head, I think of Panarin who criticized the regime and Zadorov who criticized the war in Ukraine.

If you end up making the argument that they would HAVE TO play or be punished by the regime -- well, that is the problem right there, isn't it...

Fear is not a great motivator for winning hockey. Showing up maybe, but not winning.

I think there would be a few faked injuries or lack-lustre play.

(Interestingly I think the Russian Junior team WOULD show up and play hard. But they are kids who don't think about world politics much and they have a lot to prove to future employers. The NHL guys have nothing to prove.)

Ironically, just this week Zadorov said he’d love to play for the National Team.
And Panarin committed to the 2022 olympics before the NHL pulled out.

 

[RANDOMH3RO]

I don’t understand the weirdly negative attitudes. To me this is the best possible gimmick to fit into a mid season break. Certainly better than the all star game. I remember people being negative about the World Cup a decade ago and that ended up being pretty fun too. This could be the best version of Canada vs USA we’ve seen in quite awhile.

 

[GuyCANCZE]

Ironically, just this week Zadorov said he’d love to play for the National Team.
And Panarin committed to the 2022 olympics before the NHL pulled out.

Sure, but again it is all rather hypothetical and idealized. Zadorov would LIKE to play but for a re-instated Russia and he mentions he's not entirely sure they would pick him because of his past statements against the regime. And maybe Panarin is scared -- the powers-that-be went after him HARD after his statements.

So, I still don't see all of the Russian NHL'ers playing even if they could.

Thanks for your two cents though.

 

[Zine]

Sure, but again it is all rather hypothetical and idealized. Zadorov would LIKE to play but for a re-instated Russia and he mentions he's not entirely sure they would pick him because of his past statements against the regime. And maybe Panarin is scared -- the powers-that-be went after him HARD after his statements.

So, I still don't see all of the Russian NHL'ers playing even if they could.

Thanks for your two cents though.

‘The powers that be’ did not go after Panarin. His former coach Nazarov did. Then many of Panarin’s former teammates and even his former GM (Alexei Zhamnov) vouched for him. In fact Zhamnov ended up coaching the 2022 olympics team.

And Zadorov’s previous statements included ridiculing Roman Rotenberg….who would likely be the GM of Russia. That’s why he’d potentially be left off the team. Not because of anything he said against the government.

Stop making drama where there is none.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

I'm kinda surprised by the apathy. The players seem to care about this tournament, for that reason alone I'll at least watch a game or two and make my decision whether to continue from there.

Yeah I don't get people saying I won't watch it. It's obviously interesting if the players go hard . They should still be given a chance , if it's played like an exhibition game then sure don't watch but to not even give it a chance is pretty weird.


Guys have 10 000 posts on HFboard but won't tune in? , yeah I doubt it lol

 

[GuyCANCZE]

‘The powers that be’ did not go after Panarin. His former coach Nazarov did. Then many of Panarin’s former teammates and even his former GM (Alexei Zhamnov) vouched for him. In fact Zhamnov ended up coaching the 2022 olympics team.

And Zadorov’s previous statements included ridiculing Roman Rotenberg….who would likely be the GM of Russia. That’s why he’d potentially be left off the team. Not because of anything he said against the government.

Stop making drama where there is none.

We can agree to disagree, can't we?

You don't see the Nazarov smear job, published in Russian media, as orchestrated. I do.

It had a terrible effect on Panarin and he feared for his family in Russia.

To get back to my point, which you can disagree with, I just don't see ALL of the Russian NHL'ers showing up to play if things don't change in their birth country.

Peace out.

 

[Zine]

We can agree to disagree, can't we?

You don't see the Nazarov smear job, published in Russian media, as orchestrated. I do.

It had a terrible effect on Panarin and he feared for his family in Russia.

To get back to my point, which you can disagree with, I just don't see ALL of the Russian NHL'ers showing up to play if things don't change in their birth country.

Peace out.

You dont have to agree with gov. policy to support your country.
Even all those anti-Soviet guys (Mogilny, Fedorov, Fetisov, Larionov, etc.) are currently choosing to work and be in Russia.
Practically all the NHLers return home during the offseason and partake in hockey activities.

Btw, the Nazarov ‘smear job’ was totally inconsequential and ignored in Russia until the New York media got a hold and blew it out of proportion. Only then did Russian media start reporting on it en masse.
And fear for his family? Enough of the talking points please.

Sure we can agree do disagree, but at least back up your opinions with something other than innuendo.

 

[twostroke2023]

I’m so excited for it.

 

[Barsky]

I don’t understand the weirdly negative attitudes. To me this is the best possible gimmick to fit into a mid season break. Certainly better than the all star game. I remember people being negative about the World Cup a decade ago and that ended up being pretty fun too. This could be the best version of Canada vs USA we’ve seen in quite awhile.

Dental surgery is better than the All Star game, pretty low bar

 

[Mike C]

My interest in the tournament is different among three parts of it:

1) The games themselves: Zero interest, don't care, won't watch. I have other hockey I can watch that I am more invested in personally, and the time the games are played at doesn't help. However, I hope everyone who does watch gets to enjoy it and that the players play hard and take it serious.

2) The results of the games: Mild interest, I will probably check the scores in the morning, unless I forget.

3) How is the tournament received by the public: This I am interested in. I am really curious what people will make of it. How will hockey fans react? How will it be presented in the media? How will it be received differently in NA and Europe? All these things interest me.

The ONLY interest I have in this is whether any of my fantasy players get injured

 

[GuyCANCZE]

Why would players refuse?
Even all those old anti-Soviet guys (Mogilny, Fedorov, Fetisov, Larionov, etc.) are currently choosing to work and be in Russia.
Practically all the NHLers return home during the offseason and partake in hockey activities.

Btw, the supposed Nazarov ‘smear job’ was totally inconsequential and ignored in Russia until the New York media got a hold and blew it out of proportion. Only then did Russian media start reporting on it en masse.

Sure we can agree do disagree, but at least back it up your opinions with something other than innuendo.

The effect of what happened to Panarin was real. Nobody can deny that.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/23/us/nhl-rangers-artemi-panarin-leave-intl-spt/index.html

I guess I'm just not a "My country, right or wrong" kind of guy and it would surprise me if ALL of the Russian NHL'ers were. I do think current events could potentially weaken a team created out of Russian NHL'ers. (Again, Juniors and KHL'ers would be a different story.)

Take care.

 

[Maverick41]

The ONLY interest I have in this is whether any of my fantasy players get injured

I am not big on fantasy hockey, but I can understand and respect that.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Dental surgery is better than the All Star game, pretty low bar

Possibly for you, not for most of us lol.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

I don’t understand the weirdly negative attitudes. To me this is the best possible gimmick to fit into a mid season break. Certainly better than the all star game. I remember people being negative about the World Cup a decade ago and that ended up being pretty fun too. This could be the best version of Canada vs USA we’ve seen in quite awhile.

I honestly would have preferred them to do another World Cup like they did back in 2016. Having an international tournament that only represents 4 countries is kind of bizarre to me, that's my biggest issue with it. The amount of high end talent sitting at home watching this tourney is pretty disappointing.

 

[Zine]

The effect of what happened to Panarin was real. Nobody can deny that.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/23/us/nhl-rangers-artemi-panarin-leave-intl-spt/index.html

I guess I'm just not a "My country, right or wrong" kind of guy and it would surprise me if ALL of the Russian NHL'ers were. I do think current events could potentially weaken a team created out of Russian NHL'ers. (Again, Juniors and KHL'ers would be a different story.)

Take care.

Has any NHLer boycotted his National Team in recent times because he disagrees with his government? I can’t think of any.
Why would Russians be any different?
I mean heaven knows there have been enough wars, illegalities and killing the past 20 years all around.

And of course Panarin was shaken. Who wouldnt be? But his situation was a far cry from some coordinated government plot that left he and he and his family in danger. That’s sensationalism, especially considering who his father in law is.

 

[RANDOMH3RO]

I honestly would have preferred them to do another World Cup like they did back in 2016. Having an international tournament that only represents 4 countries is kind of bizarre to me, that's my biggest issue with it. The amount of high end talent sitting at home watching this tourney is pretty disappointing.

I did love the idea of team Europe. Countries like Swiss and Germany and Czech might not be competitive on their own but as a collective they’d have a great roster of nhl players. Disliked that team North America splintered Canada/usa and kept some good talent from playing on the main teams though, even if it was fun.

 

[GuyCANCZE]

Has any NHLer boycotted his National Team in recent times because he disagrees with his government? I can’t think of any.
Why would Russians be any different?
I mean heaven knows there have been enough wars, illegalities and killing the past 20 years all around.

And of course Panarin was shaken. Who wouldnt be? But his situation was a far cry from some coordinated government plot that left he and he and his family in danger. That’s sensationalism, especially considering who his uncle is.

We might not know the answer to that (if NHL'ers have boycotted for political reasons) but you are right I have not heard of it as a reason for not playing. Although many might not say the reason for turning down the invite for fear of reprisal.

There have been cases of NHL'ers taking political stands against their government, of course. Tim Thomas not going to the White House because he disagreed with Obama, for example.

I only started this conversation because it is an angle nobody had mentioned yet. I know it might only affect a few Russian NHL'ers but even a few would have an effect on a team.

And pulling on the sweater if you disagree with what your country is doing would be painful. At least it would be for me.

All the best.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

I did love the idea of team Europe. Countries like Swiss and Germany and Czech might not be competitive on their own but as a collective they’d have a great roster of nhl players. Disliked that team North America splintered Canada/usa and kept some good talent from playing on the main teams though, even if it was fun.

Agreed here. I would have loved to see another European team.

I was lucky enough to catch two exhibition games that year. That Team North America U23 was a lot of fun to watch. Looking back at the roster in retrospect it was wild having all those guys together.

 

[Face Of Bear]

Can't take it seriously without Russia

 

[thegazelle]

Agreed with the sentiments that this is not the penultimate global best on best experience without Russia, Chechia, etc. BUT I would rather see iterations / permutations of the 4 Nations going forward every year instead of the even more gimmicky (and has descended into cringe-worthiness) modern version of the All Star game. I expect to see more competitiveness in the 4 Nations tournament over the glorified shinny exhibition that has been indicative of most all star games as of late.

 

[NyQuil]

I don’t understand the weirdly negative attitudes. To me this is the best possible gimmick to fit into a mid season break. Certainly better than the all star game. I remember people being negative about the World Cup a decade ago and that ended up being pretty fun too. This could be the best version of Canada vs USA we’ve seen in quite awhile.

Kevin Hayes from TSN Overdrive was saying (paraphrased) that hockey fans aren't stupid. They'll be able to tell right away how competitive these teams are, and how much the players want to win.

I think everyone is sort of in "wait and see" mode to determine whether it's a series of glorified All-Star games, a serious international hockey tournament, or something in between.

A lot of the best-on-best hockey we've seen over the past decades has been of excellent quality so there's a standard to be met.

Opinions on the All-Star game are historically low at the moment so it's not that high a bar to clear.

 

[Cup or Bust]

I don't have cable so I am not sure if I am interested enough to put effort into streaming it. I just hope no Oiler players get injured and look forward to the trade deadline.

 

[toddkaz]

I have little interest. Where is Russia? Sure I get the situation with Russia but its hockey.

How about a team world then? Or a team world and Russia. I want to see the best players play that includes a world team.

It makes more sense to have this NOT during the NHL is on. Players get injured fans are going to be pissed.

 

[MeHateHe]

Guys have 10 000 posts on HFboard but won't tune in? , yeah I doubt it lol

Here's the thing. With the best-on-best Olympics, I was anticipating it for months. I tuned in when they announced Canada's team. I was watching for the schedule and if a guy of Crosby's stature would have been injured three days before the first game, I would have prematurely grey.

This? Not so much.

It sucks that Sweden and Finland don't have access to all their players. It sucks that the Czechs aren't in it. But the beauty of tournament hockey is that teams have to bring it for the entire tournament. In how many Olympic tournaments have favourites been derailed because they either took one of the lesser teams too lightly or just plain old fashioned pooped the bed in a crucial game? (Waves at Tommy Salo flubbing a shot from Belarus in 2002.)

And the stakes just aren't that high. It's not the Olympics when the whole world (to a certain extent) are watching and at the end, your team's name goes on the list of Olympic Gold Medalists. That's a title of prestige, and it's just not here for this tournament.

Sports need some drama, beyond the on-the-field or on-the-ice competition. It needs a little bit of intrigue. When it is just the athletes competing against each other, without some kind of externality coming into play, it loses its drawing power.

If guys want to tune in and watch, all the power to them. Enjoy what you enjoy. It's certainly not appointment viewing for me. If I'm at home alone I might flip it on. If Canada wins, yay! If not, oh well.