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Calgary4LIfe · 01-26-2025, 06:23 PM

There is one problem with the 4 Nations - everyone knows it is a 'gimmick'. There is no history. I don't know why on earth they decided to call it the 4 Nations.

I am sure looking back in history, a lot of people probably thought the first few World Cups were gimmicks. Now it is the most prestigious sporting tournament in the world. European Championships is probably #2. Nothing else comes close.

The NHL should take control of this, make an international tournament every 2 years, call it something (Canada Cup, World Cup, Ice Cup, Sunshine and Rainbows Cup. WTHC?), keep calling the same thing, and eventually it will start to mean something.

Summit Series... Canada Cup... World Cup of Hockey... 4 Nations. It is almost like the NHL is intent on resetting it back to zero, and lifting up their arms in surrender when people don't care about it. There is no pedigree, no history.

So either stop doing it and have the NHL tie their fortunes to the Olympics, or trust that enough more and more people will care about a REGULAR best on best tournament.

What other sports can legitimately run an international tournament? Basketball? Nope - not enough good countries. Baseball? Maybe, but I doubt there are enough good countries to make it interesting either. American football? Sorry, but not for many decades at least. Superbowl may be the highest rated single game of the entire sporting world, but they can't even begin to star-up an international tourney. We are looking at Rugby and Cricket as the next best after soccer, and if the NHL can build a regular tournament, they will position themselves as #2 in the world. Hockey may never get bigger than the "Big 4" in North America, but they a chance to grow the most outside of North America.

As for people not caring.. that's cool. i am very excited to finally see some best on best hockey. It has been way too @#$#@$#@ long! Sure, Russia won't be there, and that sucks (but also understandable), and the rest of the world leaders in the sport will be there. It should be fun, even if it is a one-and-done spectacle that you will mostly forget (like we mostly forgot about the World Cup of Hockey). I still enjoyed watching that one (which was much more well-named, but much more gimmicky). I am sure most did.

It is an exciting break from the NHL, and it is WAY better than an All-star break that is meaningless.

01-26-2025, 06:23 PM	#345
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	There is one problem with the 4 Nations - everyone knows it is a 'gimmick'. There is no history. I don't know why on earth they decided to call it the 4 Nations. I am sure looking back in history, a lot of people probably thought the first few World Cups were gimmicks. Now it is the most prestigious sporting tournament in the world. European Championships is probably #2. Nothing else comes close. The NHL should take control of this, make an international tournament every 2 years, call it something (Canada Cup, World Cup, Ice Cup, Sunshine and Rainbows Cup. WTHC?), keep calling the same thing, and eventually it will start to mean something. Summit Series... Canada Cup... World Cup of Hockey... 4 Nations. It is almost like the NHL is intent on resetting it back to zero, and lifting up their arms in surrender when people don't care about it. There is no pedigree, no history. So either stop doing it and have the NHL tie their fortunes to the Olympics, or trust that enough more and more people will care about a REGULAR best on best tournament. What other sports can legitimately run an international tournament? Basketball? Nope - not enough good countries. Baseball? Maybe, but I doubt there are enough good countries to make it interesting either. American football? Sorry, but not for many decades at least. Superbowl may be the highest rated single game of the entire sporting world, but they can't even begin to star-up an international tourney. We are looking at Rugby and Cricket as the next best after soccer, and if the NHL can build a regular tournament, they will position themselves as #2 in the world. Hockey may never get bigger than the "Big 4" in North America, but they a chance to grow the most outside of North America. As for people not caring.. that's cool. i am very excited to finally see some best on best hockey. It has been way too @#$#@$#@ long! Sure, Russia won't be there, and that sucks (but also understandable), and the rest of the world leaders in the sport will be there. It should be fun, even if it is a one-and-done spectacle that you will mostly forget (like we mostly forgot about the World Cup of Hockey). I still enjoyed watching that one (which was much more well-named, but much more gimmicky). I am sure most did. It is an exciting break from the NHL, and it is WAY better than an All-star break that is meaningless.