4 nations rosters

[dammage79]

If Russia isn't playing in a best on best tournament it's not best on best.

[FireGilbert]

Who cares if it isn't a real best on best tournament. That's what the upcoming Olympics and World Cups are for. You don't hear European Rugby fans complaining the 6 nations is irrelevant because it doesn't feature all the top teams, they enjoy it for what it is, an elite international competition with exciting rivalries.

I love that the Four Nations is bringing the NHL back to international hockey and it will be much more engaging than any all star game.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Im not sure what you mean....but im talking the Winter Olympics taking place in 14 months in Milan and Cortina Italy where NHL players will be participating.

If that’s what you meant I’m betting Russians will be there, either because the war will be done and they will settle out I or because they will make a fake team like the summers.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Who cares if it isn't a real best on best tournament. That's what the upcoming Olympics and World Cups are for. You don't hear European Rugby fans complaining the 6 nations is irrelevant because it doesn't feature all the top teams, they enjoy it for what it is, an elite international competition with exciting rivalries.

I love that the Four Nations is bringing the NHL back to international hockey and it will be much more engaging than any all star game.

Apparently not according to some ....because Russia wont be at those either.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

If that’s what you meant I’m betting Russians will be there, either because the war will be done and they will settle out I or because they will make a fake team like the summers.

Russia will be out of the Ukraine in a year?

With Trump as President?

As for "fake teams" this is what it was for Paris this summer

According to IOC guidelines, "Qualified athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport will be entered as, and compete as, Individual Neutral Athletes." Teams of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport will not be permitted to compete in the Paris Olympics unless they are all competing as individuals

I suspect that will not change for Milan.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I will be watching and enjoying whatever best on best games possible. So Russia won't be there - that sucks. However, it is still Sweden's best vs Canada's best vs USA's best vs Finland's best. Should all be great games to watch.


What I think the NHL screwed up with (and something I totally don't understand) is why they don't actually create a tourney and brand it, and build it up. "4 Nations Tourney" will mean diddly squat to anyone that played in it 10+ years from now. The Canada Cup? That was something.


Create a tourney... build up on it. Don't have it every now and then with some random name and expect it to be something amazing. NHL should have kept on going with the Canada Cup.


If I am a player, this is my stepping stone to make sure i get on the Olympic team. That's what would drive me in this tournament, so I do expect high-level hockey rather than an All-Star game that I never bother to watch since players aren't playing hard. Should be a fun tourney, but I do think that the NHL once again dropped the ball in trying to make an actual yearly tournament for the future.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I will be watching and enjoying whatever best on best games possible. So Russia won't be there - that sucks. However, it is still Sweden's best vs Canada's best vs USA's best vs Finland's best. Should all be great games to watch.


What I think the NHL screwed up with (and something I totally don't understand) is why they don't actually create a tourney and brand it, and build it up. "4 Nations Tourney" will mean diddly squat to anyone that played in it 10+ years from now. The Canada Cup? That was something.


Create a tourney... build up on it. Don't have it every now and then with some random name and expect it to be something amazing. NHL should have kept on going with the Canada Cup.


If I am a player, this is my stepping stone to make sure i get on the Olympic team. That's what would drive me in this tournament, so I do expect high-level hockey rather than an All-Star game that I never bother to watch since players aren't playing hard. Should be a fun tourney, but I do think that the NHL once again dropped the ball in trying to make an actual yearly tournament for the future.

100%

Either get on board with a World Cup, or build one yourselves with similar quality and consistency, and stick with it. It is the tradition and continuity and history that make a tournament great.

Hockey needs that.

[3rd liner]

Originally Posted by transplant99

OK....this was actually written................ albeit by some Oilers honk






https://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/oth...er/ar-AA1vlY2G

Wow. Somebody trying to argue Bouchard should be on the canadian team for his defensive prowess. Some media's heads are so far up the oiler's arses it's incredible.

[3rd liner]

Originally Posted by wretched34

Reduced registration fees would be nice (says the dad of a 14 year old goalie), but the biggest issue is development paths.
95% of coaches in minor hockey have no clue what to do with goalies, and associations provide very little for additional development, where as they'll bring in power skating coaches, and figure skating coaches, and shooting coaches for the 18 other skaters on the ice, while the goalies get put in the crease and shot at.
The only way to get proper goalie development is to look outside the registered associations and away from teams, which many associations and coaches frown upon because often they have conflicting schedules, so you either choose to be part of the team, or to get better as a goalie. More often then not when you choose to get better as a goalie, you're seen as selfish, and not a team player so then you lose playing time, or end up blacklisted and falling out of favor with higher tiered teams. But when you choose not to develop the goaltending skills, the goalie is usually the first one blamed when games don't go the way you want them to.
Hockey Canada needs to mandate more inclusive training opportunities for Goalies, and provide clearer development paths that should be followed the same way they are for the rest of the team. There's no shortage of young goalies, or talent anymore, it's entirely a development issue.

I agree 100%. I'm not a goalie parent (I have two non-goalies in association hockey U15 and U11) so have limited knowledge on this, but the goalie 'development' I've seen on our community association teams ranges all the way from a dad who gets goalie tips from youtube, to a goalie coach who plays beer league hockey to, if you're lucky, a goalie who played junior. My kids aren't double AA or anything, so can't say what happens at the higher levels, but coaches working with the goalies generally aren't specialists... I'm not sure where our community association goalies would really get a chance to excel...

[1qqaaz]

After watching last night's gaming, leaving Robert Thomas off this roster seems even more egregious.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Russia will be out of the Ukraine in a year?

With Trump as President?

As for "fake teams" this is what it was for Paris this summer



I suspect that will not change for Milan.

Nah, Putin will have won and the IOC will have caved with Trump as President because they rival him for corruption.

All I know is a bunch of Russians made pledges (some of which were phony) and got to compete. Ergo - rules of the Olympics seem pretty malleable. Why would 2026 be different?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

After watching last night's gaming, leaving Robert Thomas off this roster seems even more egregious.

Seeing as how Rasmus said he was asked a month ago, it’s likely Thomas wasn’t playing when selections were made. That said, I bet he’s the first guy asked if someone can’t play.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by dammage79

If Russia isn't playing in a best on best tournament it's not best on best.

Disagree. Russia is banned from all sports (mostly).

Was the World Cup of soccer or the European Championships any less meaningful without them there? Nope.

Russia isn't participating in the Olympics either. Does anyone say the gold medalists should have asterisks by their names? Nope.

Listen, I'm not a fan of this invitational "tournament" which is just a money grab by the NHL. I'd like to see a true world cup where there is a qualification process, but this, for now, is the best on best.

[GullFoss]

It should have been

1) the north - Canada
2) the South - USA
3) the east - Russia, Czech, Slovakia, etc
4) the west - Finland, Sweden, Germany

The four quads. That way you could have represented the best players in the NHL

[Mattman]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

It should have been

1) the north - Canada
2) the South - USA
3) the east - Russia, Czech, Slovakia, etc
4) the west - Finland, Sweden, Germany

The four quads. That way you could have represented the best players in the NHL

West would be an insane team if that were the case.

Question I have is how would Finns and Swedes feel about playing on the same team. Not that they hate each other but they have to be some of the most patriotic groups of people especially when it comes to hockey.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

It should have been

1) the north - Canada
2) the South - USA
3) the east - Russia, Czech, Slovakia, etc
4) the west - Finland, Sweden, Germany

The four quads. That way you could have represented the best players in the NHL

This sounds great. To make it easier and not offend anyone, instead of grouping them by country, we just pick the 80-90 or so best players in the NHL and divide up by the current division they play in and make those the teams. To keep it fair, let's pick at least 1 player from every NHL team.

They could wear neat little jerseys that all match. Maybe keep their NHL team logo on the shoulder patch or something. To make it fun for the families, the players can all get together and test their skills the evening before. The game should be done in February, and maybe tone down the hitting too, and we can call it something like the Game of Stars. Maybe even make it annual.

In fact, we don't need the IIHF at all, and this ensures we get best-on-best every year.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Not sure if this has been mentioned already or not, but I wouldn't mind seeing a team of misfit toys - players from countries that simply don't have enough good players to ever become invited into a tournament. No idea if this is accurate or not, but there should be enough players already in the NHL:
https://worldpopulationreview.com/co...ers-by-country


Seems to be enough players from Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Latvia, Belarus, France, Norway, Australia, Netherlands, Austria and Slovenia (though Kopitar is getting old).


I always thought it was a real shame that we don't see Kopitar representing his country, for instance. It would serve as a great way to increase a little awareness for the rare talents coming out of non-traditional hockey markets as well, as you can invite young players who are looking to be drafted high in the NHL that particular year.


It is a bit gimmicky, but at the same time, there will probably be a handful of players that will never get to participate internationally in any international tournament otherwise. Each player can wear a shoulder patch or something to signify which country he represents. Obviously it will never replace actually representing your country, but it is the next best thing, and will also help to incorporate some 'best on best' players. Depending on how many countries actually get invited, this team may end up looking decent.


Something to digest anyway for the NHL to figure out a future regular international competition to build upon.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Mattman

West would be an insane team if that were the case.

Question I have is how would Finns and Swedes feel about playing on the same team. Not that they hate each other but they have to be some of the most patriotic groups of people especially when it comes to hockey.

That might have been half of the fun!

[woob]

My oldest son is starting to get super interested in hockey and wants to watch games with me more and more. (he was a soccer nut before hockey) He is super excited to watch the 4 Nations tournament together, featuring some of his favourite super stars. And I'm super excited to watch it with him and cheer on Canada. It's going to be awesome.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by 3rd liner

Wow. Somebody trying to argue Bouchard should be on the canadian team for his defensive prowess. Some media's heads are so far up the oiler's arses it's incredible.

. “I think there’s a ton of recency bias there for the poor start to the season that he’s had. When you look at the last number of years, he’s fifth among all Canadian-born players in goals.

sure fine, you can argue a recency bias keeping Hyman off the team, but there was a previous recency bias that was pushing him as a 'lock' for the team to begin with- namely his one outlier season at age 31.


he's a 32 year old with 10 points (Kadri and Huberdeau both have 16 and more storied careers and pedigrees, and even their parents don't think they were snubbed from TC). and I like Hyman more than most here I'd reckon