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

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

This is an NHL tournament. Not just sanctioned by them; they are the organizer.

This has zilch to do with the IIHF.

Hence why a lot of people don't care for it. It's just an NHL money grab dressed up as a tournament.

People still dont seem to understand this.

Granted, the IIHF have issues of their own, but yeah, this is an NHL 'Tournament.'

Remember the 'World Cup?' Its that. They're just trying again.

[Philly06Cup]

IIHF is a known corrupt entity. Screw them.

The World Cup for soccer is much more respected than Olympic gold. If you care about best-on-best Nation based hockey, you should want the NHL to run it, and want this (or the World Cup) to succeed.

[Shazam]

I’m holding out for 5 nations.

[memphusk]

What about six?

[Ped]

For those hoping for a Russian team in future, the Athletic's Christ Johnston had this tidbit today:

This issue is much bigger than any given tournament. It’s obviously much bigger than the sport of hockey itself. My expectation is that we won’t see a Russian team competing again until after the war in Ukraine is over. The IIHF has already ruled that country out of its events through the 2026 men’s world hockey championship. One thing to keep in mind: If Russia was reinstated while the war in Ukraine was still ongoing, some of its other neighbors (Finland, Sweden and Czechia among them) would almost certainly withdraw from that tournament in protest.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/612...as-pettersson/

[KipperFaNaTic]

Very surprised at the lack of enthusiasm and hype for this tournament. For me personally, I am super hyped because I get to see the best players play with each other under the back drop of national patriotism. Surely, this is better than the past all-star games where no one tries?

I do agree that this tournament loses a bit of luster because of no Russia and other Europeans, however, this is only the first year and should be expanded to include more teams moving forward.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by KipperFaNaTic

Very surprised at the lack of enthusiasm and hype for this tournament. For me personally, I am super hyped because I get to see the best players play with each other under the back drop of national patriotism. Surely, this is better than the past all-star games where no one tries?

I do agree that this tournament loses a bit of luster because of no Russia and other Europeans, however, this is only the first year and should be expanded to include more teams moving forward.

Don't let the name fool you, it'll be intense. This really is the World Cup, they just couldn't put a big tournament on in time.
It will continue in 2028 and 2032 if the NHL can keep it's #### together.

What will it look like in the future? 4 teams? 6 teams? 8 teams? qualifying? The hockey calendar is so congested that it's hard to set up qualifying in any months other than July or August.

2026 Olympic qualification was held Aug 29-Sep 1 2024. Slovakia only dressed 14 players for the first game, one of them was Martin Pospisil.

[8sPOT]

I dont think the hype is there yet because many people (myself included) feel like it'll be a version of an all-star event. No hitting, no physicality, just boring. It shouldn't be that type of game but we wont know for sure until puck drop.

I'll watch but it's not even in the same hemisphere as the Olympics.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

I dont think the hype is there yet because many people (myself included) feel like it'll be a version of an all-star event. No hitting, no physicality, just boring. It shouldn't be that type of game but we wont know for sure until puck drop.

I'll watch but it's not even in the same hemisphere as the Olympics.

You will know in 30 seconds.

This is a key game as most assume the US will finish 1st and Finland last, this could decide 2nd place.

[Ped]

People should stop worrying that this just a glorified all-star game. The all-star game has no stakes and therefore no meaning. We know the vast majority of players are very pumped for this and have been wanting a best-on-best tournament.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Philly06Cup

IIHF is a known corrupt entity. Screw them.

The World Cup for soccer is much more respected than Olympic gold. If you care about best-on-best Nation based hockey, you should want the NHL to run it, and want this (or the World Cup) to succeed.

The World Cup of soccer is organized by arguably the MOST corrupt organization, FIFA. Yet its prestige is unmatched in all of sports.

The fact that a league (business) is organizing this 'international' event cheapens it right off the bat. It even has a gimmicky name.

Imagine if the premier league in England (the best soccer league currently) decided they are going to invite the top 12 nations to a tournament mid season. 99% of soccer fans would dismiss the tournament as nothing but a money grab by the premier league, and no one would be hyped about it. And they would be right.

[GirlySports]

Teemu Selanne is spying... can Finland dress him?

Grown-up Team Canada already has more practices than the juniors.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by memphusk

What about six?

No... no... six is too many...

[GirlySports]

Projected lineups

USA


Canada


Sweden


Finland

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

The World Cup of soccer is organized by arguably the MOST corrupt organization, FIFA. Yet its prestige is unmatched in all of sports.

The fact that a league (business) is organizing this 'international' event cheapens it right off the bat. It even has a gimmicky name.

Imagine if the premier league in England (the best soccer league currently) decided they are going to invite the top 12 nations to a tournament mid season. 99% of soccer fans would dismiss the tournament as nothing but a money grab by the premier league, and no one would be hyped about it. And they would be right.

It's so much different though.

If the EPL hosts a mid season national tournament with only EPL players they only have about 20% of the best players in the world (if not less).

The NHL hosting an mid-season national tournament still has all of the best players in the world because 98% of the best players in the world play in the NHL.

What cheapens this tournament a bit is not having teams like the Russians, Czechs, Germans, etc in the tournament because now you don't have all the best teams / players.

But in terms of the 4 teams there it's the best rosters they could put out (barring injury / bad selections).

[timbit]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

If you loved the all star game, you’re going to LOVE the new all star game! Now with more all star games and diluted talent!

The players care and are highly motivated. Looking very forward to watching very high level players giving their all.

New all star game?

Try again.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by timbit

The players care and are highly motivated. Looking very forward to watching very high level players giving their all.

New all star game?

Try again.

I certainly hope McDavid gives it his absolute all and triple shifts himself.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I certainly hope McDavid gives it his absolute all and triple shifts himself.

And then Canada wins the Trophy but he doesnt come out to accept it.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by timbit

The players care and are highly motivated. Looking very forward to watching very high level players giving their all.

New all star game?

Try again.

The players can say what they want, but until I see guys finishing checks and backchecking with max effort every shift, I'm not expecting much out of this.

Even if it's regular season levels of energy and effort, it won't hold a candle to the Olympics simply because its a short, 4 team tournament with very little on the line. Some of these guys aren't going to lay it all on the line and risk a playoff run in the Spring for a 4 Nations title....an Olympic gold is a little different.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

The players can say what they want, but until I see guys finishing checks and backchecking with max effort every shift, I'm not expecting much out of this.

Even if it's regular season levels of energy and effort, it won't hold a candle to the Olympics simply because its a short, 4 team tournament with very little on the line. Some of these guys aren't going to lay it all on the line and risk a playoff run in the Spring for a 4 Nations title....an Olympic gold is a little different.

Whoa! Dial 'er back a little there...lest ye be deemed as 'edgy!'