Tier list of 4Nations Faceoff teams I'm cheering for

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by browna

This isn't international hockey, it doesn't follow IIHF rules for player eligibility or much else.

It's a NHLPA/NHL Hockey Related Revenue generating exhibition series under the marketing guise of patriotism.

It seems closer to what the North America vs World all star games sounded like than the Olympics, personally.

Like, “What if we had four all star teams instead of two!” … very cool.

Until they open this up to non-NHL players, expand the list of countries participating (and have a better selection criteria than “countries that have enough NHL players”) and at least have consistent rules around Russian participation (not sure why they can play in the NHL, play in the all star game, but can’t play in an NHL-sanctioned tournament) then it’s never going to reach the status of the Olympics or World Juniors. As it is, it’s barely got the status of the World Championships, and that’s only because the quality of players are better in this all star games game/tournament.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

It seems closer to what the North America vs World all star games sounded like than the Olympics, personally.

Like, “What if we had four all star teams instead of two!” … very cool.

Until they open this up to non-NHL players, expand the list of countries participating (and have a better selection criteria than “countries that have enough NHL players”) and at least have consistent rules around Russian participation (not sure why they can play in the NHL, play in the all star game, but can’t play in an NHL-sanctioned tournament) then it’s never going to reach the status of the Olympics or World Juniors. As it is, it’s barely got the status of the World Championships, and that’s only because the quality of players are better in this all star games game/tournament.

Letting Russian players play in the NHL is one thing. Flying the Russian flag in a tournament is another. Not allowing them to play isn't about the players, it's about the nation.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Letting Russian players play in the NHL is one thing. Flying the Russian flag in a tournament is another. Not allowing them to play isn't about the players, it's about the nation.

The Olympics created a solution for this, not sure why the NHL can’t if they’re going to let Russians participate in the NHL anyway.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

No player has ever been shoved down our throats like him and he will be a dominant narrative through the tourney
The absence of Russia (for all the right reasons) is also a factor for me. Just doesn’t seem the same

The tourney is not for me. But if others enjoy it that’s great

Agreed...though the Gretzky in Edmonton era was similar but without social media.

I just dont see how the intensity or quality of the teams involved, changes if Russia or any other team is there or not. But that seems to be a theme. Its a "gimmick" or "made up" tournament....well isnt every tournament made up?

The thing about Russia not participating is....they likely wont be at the Olympics either. Definitely not if the IOC follows the IIHF lead.

That's what I meant if it was the Olympics right now...would people still not watch?

I get the sentiment of not all the best countries are there....because they aren't.

But the best players from those countries that are going are there, which is still best on best regardless of tournament name or date or location and that has, historically, resulted in extremely high intense hockey.

No idea why this would be any different, particularly when the whole thing was really a player initiative. Owners absolutely loathe letting their star players whom they pay millions and millions a year too...go and risk their health for another team while still having to guarantee their pay cheques.

I dunno...maybe im reading the whole thing through an outdated lens but if we follow precedent, this should be great hockey.

[dammage79]

Well, no hockey other than this for two weeks.
1. Canada
2. Finland

I don't really care if Flames players are on international squads, I like underdogs and Canada by default. And Russia when they're not in war times with Ukraine.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

I just hope all four teams have fun.

Lol!

"Get out there and have some fun boys!!"

How does this tournament take 2 weeks? Its 4 teams playing in 2 places.

[Locke]

Either way, the positive element of this tournament? These guys just look worn out. They need a break.

I know, I know, Professional Athletes and all that, but they're playing above their heads which takes a lot of effort.

Take two weeks of sun and sand.

[jg13]

Quinn Hughes out. Sanderson in per friedman

[jg13]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1888723814588059955

[Locke]

Originally Posted by jg13

https://twitter.com/user/status/1888723814588059955

I'm certain he's devastated.

[Ped]

Actually I think most of the players are really geared up for it. The Athletic's player poll seemed to show that, too. Certainly Hughes and Crosby seemed to having a tough time deciding.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by WideReceiver

I don’t care who’s on the team. I cheer for Canada; I’ll go back to hating teams and players later.

Did you cheer for the Oilers last spring?

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Locke

Yeah, and with more than just 4 teams. When was the last time you saw a tournament that only had 4 teams?

The Frozen Four

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

The Frozen Four

Which are the semifinal and final rounds of the overall 16 team NCAA tournament.

The 16 teams in the tournament qualify based on their performances during the regular season and conference playoffs from the total pool of 64 NCAA teams.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by getbak

Which are the semifinal and final rounds of the overall 16 team NCAA tournament.

The 16 teams in the tournament qualify based on their performances during the regular season from the total pool of 64 NCAA teams.

Yeah, there was no 'play-in' here. Its just what they could cobble together.

[Reggie Dunlop]

The Beanpot

[WideReceiver]

Originally Posted by snuffleupagus

did you cheer for the oilers last spring?

canada!!!!

[troutman]

I’m not sure we are seeing Sweden’s and Finland’s “best” because they are only using NHL players.

[sch19lks]

I don’t care if we win this tournament at all. We just have to beat the Americans, that’s all I care about. Lose to Sweden and Finland, beat the United States.

The US thinks hockey is their game after winning the World Juniors back to back. ####ing beat them

[troutman]

Originally Posted by sch19lks

The US thinks hockey is their game after winning the World Juniors back to back.

99 % of Americans do not know this.