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

[Zalos]

Unsurprisingly, the intensity is there and the players care as much as if they were in the playoffs.

Hype!

 

[Kurtosis]

I didn’t post in this thread before and didn’t really realize there was a game on until yesterday. That being said, that was some damn good hockey. Entertaining as hell, and you could tell they cared. Not going to say it was playoffs/olympics level intensity, but if I wasn’t wearing my contacts I could have been fooled.

 

[Auston Marlander]

I knew it would be better than an all-star game, but didn't know it would be that good. The easy way to tell if players care is the physicality, and there were plenty of big hits.

Probably a lot to do with that the NHL haven't let the players go to international tournaments for years. So they where of course very eager to play with their National teams. Dont think players would have been as interested in this 4 Nations if they where allowed to the WC or Olympics. Several of the guys have never been allowed to put on their national teams jersey.

They are in the Olympics next year? And really it doesn't matter why, I don't care the reason players are into it. I care that they are into it and put on a good show.

 

[LuGBuG]

Anyone who thought the players wouldn’t care is clueless about the reason these players are even there.

These players are the best in their country because of how much they care and how competitive they are. The best whether it’s a practice, a game, or tiddlywinks are so competitive that they need to win. There is obviously exceptions to every rule but for the most part these guys are the most competitive people around. It’s what drives them their entire life to be pro hockey players.

 

[mattihp]

It's hard to get excited about exhibition games played in the middle of the night

 

[JohnLennon]

I posted 3 times...watched 0 minutes.

I don't think this is the own you think it is.

I would recommend watching future games. Last night was fantastic and much more competitive, physical, exciting and intense than expected. It is a treat to see Crosby, McDavid, Mackinnon and Makar on the ice at the same time, on the same team. The Bell Centre chanting "Crosby, Crosby, Crosby!", Habs fans cheering Mitch Marner of the Leafs for the game winner, the crowd doing their trademark "Ole, Ole, Ole!" chant after the win... Canada was treated to something special last night.

Incredible stuff. You're neglecting yourself if you don't watch, in my opinion.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Players have a ton of pride when wearing their country's colors. It showed last night. Entertaining stuff!

 

[Dubi Doo]

It’s a gimmick and absolutely not a best-on-best. Minor bragging rights to the winner. Canada’s had a rough few months as a nation so maybe winning boosts morale. The Americans should make “Not Like Us” their goal song lol. Anyway, I won’t be watching but only because I need to catch up on J20 top 10 and SJU has two games that are more important to me. If you’re a young fan, by all means, take it all in.

Luckily, the players didn't view it that way. They were going balls to the wall. But hey, if people want to miss out on great hockey- then more power to them.

 

[57special]

I can be cynical about the reasons for this tournament, and was originally blase about it, but have to admit i would far rather watch this than a regular season NHL game in Feb.

Of course, get back to me for another take if a player from my team gets injured. JEE missed the last game before this, Brodin is just coming back from a broken foot, and Faber hasn't been right since he was concussed about a month ago. All three could use two weeks of rest.

 

[Dubi Doo]

I think people are underestimating how serious players are taking these games. I think we're in store for some intense hockey.

You were right. I could tell during the anthems that the players were ready to skate through a f***ing wall. Country pride matters a lot to these boys. And if any player was thinking of half assing it during this tournament, the moment they get rattled into the boards will flip the switch from this is a fun scrimmage to 'I'm going to plaster that bastard through the boards'.

 

[Bruins4Lifer]

Always believed it would be intense, competitive hockey. Last night's game confirmed it.

If you're a CAN/US/SWE/FIN hockey fan, I can't imagine how you'd have no interest in this.

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

A 6 month old baby minimizes the amount of time I can watch hockey in general these days.

But damn. I saw the first ten minutes of that first period and was struck by how profound the talent was even relative to other NHL games. I think the tournament very well may work out to be the perfect mix of players trying to have fun while also trying to win. It’s the latter part that is missing from the normal All Star festivities.

I hope people that have been acting like curmudgeons for months leading up to this tournament can perhaps realize that “wait and see” is the right approach instead of grumbling relentlessly as has become automatic via the internet. It’s ok to not bitch about things. It’s ok to be open to new ideas instead of hyper focusing on all that COULD be wrong.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Gotta say, I was on the fence about the tournament but Gollllyyyyy that was a fun one. Captain Crosby still doing Captain Crosby things. So glad we got to see the 1PP within the first minute of the game.

 

[Leonardo87]

If you are going to complain and whine about the posters who are not into the tournament this thread is not for you. Let them be. Move along and enjoy the tournament. Thanks.

 

[Macbanan]

It's hard to get excited about exhibition games played in the middle of the night

The players aren't treating it as exhibition game so it doesn't make sense for me to treat it as such either. If they care I care and the rosters are amazing.

Time difference is annoying though but not any different from following the NHL.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

I would recommend watching future games. Last night was fantastic and much more competitive, physical, exciting and intense than expected. It is a treat to see Crosby, McDavid, Mackinnon and Makar on the ice at the same time, on the same team. The Bell Centre chanting "Crosby, Crosby, Crosby!", Habs fans cheering Mitch Marner of the Leafs for the game winner, the crowd doing their trademark "Ole, Ole, Ole!" chant after the win... Canada was treated to something special last night.

Incredible stuff. You're neglecting yourself if you don't watch, in my opinion.

Gave me literal chills hear the crowd chant for Crosby. We've been deprived of seeing one of the greatest players of all time on the International stage for far too long... Even at his current age he's lighting it up already, imagine all the highlights we've been robbed of over the years.

 

[D1az]

No interest apart from probably looking at the stats after the tournament, to see how everyone did statistically.

 

[GreatSaveEssensa]

I don't care about international hockey very much. I don't pay to go see Team USA multiple times a year, I pay to see the Sharks.

I don't care about the Olympics or World Baseball Classic or whatever else either. I don't root for players based on the fact that they happened to be born in the same geographical region I was and I don't care about Matthews or McDavid or Crosby except insofar as I need to when we play them. I'm not an NHL fan, I'm a Sharks fan.

Then you’re not a hockey fan I guess?

 

[BobCole]

Here's the thing...

On the one hand, compared to Olympic competition, I have trouble getting excited for this. Only 4 countries represented, only NHL players, etc. Not to mention the fact that they won't repeat this format, so it truly is a one-off tournament that will be nothing more than an anecdote in the history books.

On the other hand, if I compare it to the alternative at this time of year (i.e. an All-Star Game), this is clearly leagues better.

So eh, all things considered, I'll take it. More fun to watch the best NHL players in games that they care about instead of an ASG.

 

[JianYang]

The fact Crosby is going to play through an injury for this should tell you how seriously most players are taking it.

Gonna be fantastic hockey, don't understand the people who don't want to watch

I suspect a good number of them will be watching regardless.

HF boards is just like that.

 

[MMANumminen]

Yeah...seeing McDavid, MAcKinnon and Crosby in the same line is nothing special

 

[lakeshirts37]

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?

This aged very poorly