The NHL doesn't understand what fans want.

[@EckHockey]

Get up to 20 FREE meals with HelloFresh by using code ECK at bit.ly/40sYV84 ! Offer is across 6 boxes for new subscribers only.

[@codyharder571]

Hello fresh coming in clutch after the NHL screwed you over.

[@jimb.7523]

I'm wondering if they heard your need for a sponsor. I don't use Hello Fresh, but I approve of them over gambling sites and Better Help.

[@vallixau]

The fact that you said you'd do HelloFresh ads.. then they go and sponsor u XD - Definitely going to buy HelloFresh all the way from AUS

[@jimb.7523]

Love the fact that the YT Gestapo deleted my comment, even though I didn't say anything even close to offensive.... 😑

[@KevinBrevin]

We are perfectly happy to watch/skip past the adds if it makes you the money you need to support your family.

[@jacobboaden2213]

Best sport- worst run league.

[@jonmel]

Maybe in North America, in Europe the top league for English rugby is worse

[@donaldjgumpofficial5754]

@jacobboaden2213 The NHL has been the least competent North American league since the 50s. They took too long to expand and many of their expansion choices have been baffling. They went chasing bags in California, Atlanta instead of locking down actual hockey markets in the north. Seattle, Portland, Cleveland, Milwaukee should be hockey strongholds but they instead let basketball take over. Imagine they put teams in these places in the late 50s to early 60s.

[@teagansmale6852]

NASCAR has the worst run league and it's not even close. But yes Hockey is the number 1 sport

[@jeffrothman7982]

Yup

[@goaliecoachmike]

MLB is far worse run. The non-inspiring 4 Nations Cup doesn’t ruin the league but keeps things status quo. Too many Allstars will be watching from their couches.

[@jamesstemmler7620]

Not having merch ready for the Christmas rush was criminal

[@JerziIceViper]

It’s was the same last year for the devils stadium series the devils fans were so hungry for merch the jerseys sold out less then 24 hours. The NHL never considers nuances like that.

[@DefinedEdits]

Idk about jerseys but I 100% got my hoodies and hat before Christmas! Going to Canada v USA I’m hyped af for this tournament!!!

[@mediumdoubledouble9012]

No one cares about this lol. It’s a little tourney that won’t be go hard because the cup is more important

[@ace2585]

How was not making money off fans criminal

[@hoskins666]

consoomer

[@chucku1001]

who would have thought the NHL would drop the ball when it comes to marketing... its just cringe at this point.

[@robrick9361]

It's okay, they'll just take more ad revenues from KZbinrs to make up the difference.

[@Shurehlm]

They're only objective is to sell hockey to American NASCAR and wrestling fans. That's the source of all their mistakes.

[@LowgaenSchmidt]

I swear, Gary Bettman hears what the fans want, and then decides to do whatever the hell he feels like doing, which is the exact opposite of what appeals the majority of NHL fans interest. I won't miss him when he's no longer involved in the league.

[@kennymik1509]

If they had Gary Bettmans' face on sheets of toilet paper for $5a roll, I'd buy the big pack!

[@Canadian_geographer]

Fr

[@miikaIS]

While I am not defending Bettman directly, I am still reminding that as a commissioner of the NHL, he is only allowed to do what the team owners tell him to do. He is not the owner of anything NHL related.

[@ethanparker7900]

we do live in a world full of reverse psychology and it only progresses

[@ethanparker7900]

@@miikaIS although he has the right to speak up and advocate for fans if he does hear them about what they want and what they think would fit the best

[@brady1027-m5p]

There is a lot that fans are rightfully disappointed about with this, but I'm just excited to see McDavid, Crosby, MacKinnon and Makar all play together. It's the first time we've been able to see some sort of best on best hockey for quite some time

[@ianism3]

meh, the olympics are just one year away! gonna be way more interesting than this thing.

[@tomwilson3969]

It's a glorified all-star star game. Definitely not going to be best on best hockey. 2 of the top 5 players in the league right now aren't even aloud to play in it

[@boomboom-hi5np]

it's hardly best on best without one country in particular who have amazing players in the NHL

[@Park0909]

​@@boomboom-hi5np I get why they banned Russia, but it's pretty stupid. Why punish the players for something they can't control

[@Mike-l7y5y]

Blah, Blah, Blah. The playoffs won't start until June, right? I mean, common, you know the playoffs will feature at least 5 or 6 major seven-game series, with double or even triple overtime games that is guaranteed. How else can you explain that the top players won't be the "top" players in the playoffs? They will be tired, no doubt. And this isn't just physical but also mental too.

[@parkermihelic1627]

It just feels like the nhl went “QUICK WE NEED AN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT” and just threw this together last minute

[@ngarcia103]

Also, "how can we stick it to the IIHF and show that we can do their job better than they can?"

[@nathanriver1556]

@@ngarcia103 They need to, like, actually do it first. Nothing has really approached the 1998-2014 Olympics in terms of best on best tournaments.

[@BvG_Venom]

USA plays 2 games in Canada but is only guaranteed 1 game in Boston? Odd scheduling

[@Crosby-To-Malkin]

It's only a week long, they had to have Canada VS US in Montreal on Saturday so there's really no other way they could do it

[@AddictedToPain-x1i]

Imagine complaining about this when there are two European teams that don't get a single "home" game. Don't think anyone except for Montreal players and Boston players are actually going to feel like they're on home ice, champ.

[@Hawk3ye4077]

Yes odd , but I’d say they have the best schedule. Having home ice in the finals as a lock so long as they earn a spot. That’s huge.

[@Dylligraphy]

Pietrangelo, Canada's best dman after Makar, not showing up. Odd scheduling. .-.

[@klazman7757]

View of a czech person. I understand why we arent in this tournament (offense and goaltending might be put together, but the defense is an issue). We were kinda making jokes about merging into Czechoslovakia again for this event, but the decision was made. 4 Nations Cup just feels like "Let the best players in the World play against each other, besides like 1/3 of the potentialy best players we wont allow to play (haha oopsie)". The Russian team presence being denied, I can agree with that (there is an obvious reason for that). Then there you have guys like Draisaitl, Nečas, Fiala, Josi, etc., who has the skill to show, but cant, since their countries arent "represented enough" in the NHL. In the end, I feel like this tournament tries to act so international, and ends up being "As Canada vs USA as possible". By what i read here in comments, NHL kinda fails to do even that.

[@mohamedabdourahman9845]

Honestly and this is me, every 2 years(in between Winter Olympics) have a best on best but with the top 8 teams from the previous 3 world championships. Two groups of 4, top 2 teams advance to the semi final and finals. Have it be at least 2 weeks.

[@projektkobra2247]

Kinda unrelated..when I was a kid, there was the Canada Cup 76 series...to advertise it, they had these posters of some players from each nation participating...The "Canada" poster featured all the top stars of the day, LaFleur, Esposito, Clarke, Cheevers, Sittler... The Czechoslovakian poster had Hlinka, Holik, Novy, Martinec, and (probably) Stastny. The poor Finns had like 6 generic looking guys who could have been anyone. Cuz nobody could name a single Finnish player back then...Go check them out, its hilarious.

[@projektkobra2247]

It's not the Russian players fault...and sorry, not sorry its not clear this wasnt a justified war on Russias' part, considering how corrupt The Ukraine is...and its still full of dirty Azov Nutzis. How they can not include Russia, OR the Czechs (I think you should go back to "Bohemia", personally) is preposterous.

[@cpac54]

I'm a huge hockey fan and I couldn't care less about the 4 Nations "Tournament"

[@truthless8261]

i wont be wasting my time on this.

[@Zulizu17]

Yeah this is a dogshit idea

[@danielj622]

Preach

[@eqluke9890]

What are you guys allergic to fun? Don’t watch munchkin

[@rodbelding9523]

"Four nations facing off. Four nations facing off" - S. Crosby

[@CzarrIV]

This tournament is pointless.

[@Mike-zf4xg]

your life matches that

[@AlwayzFresh]

@@Mike-zf4xg As does your comment

[@Hawk3ye4077]

Well best way to look at it is like watching All Star games where they actually bend their knees.

[@shaylelarue787]

It’s just for fun & around the regular break time

[@Im__Your__Huckleberry]

This feels almost as cringe as the NBA's mid season tournament

[@ngarcia103]

A longstanding issue I've had with the NHL is that they think all hockey fans are NHL fans and that the NHL is the only hockey that exists, or should exist.

[@FullOfMalarky]

Or rather they refuse to loosen their grip. They are the only one out of the North American big 4 that actually good international competition. NFL is the be-all end-all of football. Ditto with the MLB. Basketball is popular internationally, but cannot compete with the NBA, and basketball is still very much secondary in any country it is popular outside of the USA. Hockey is very big in other countries and their national organizations are quite robust. The NHL still sees its self more like the other NA legues and not like, say a European soccer league, that still has to collaborate/submit to FIFA/UEFA.

[@daveg8266]

​@@FullOfMalarkyIs it necessarily the wrong decision, purely from a business perspective? Sure, the Russian and Swedish leagues (and maybe others) get players to leave the NHL occasionally, but they're still the go to for the vast majority of international players. As much as I'd like to see the NHL be on better terms with the IIHF, I could understand why the NHL isn't willing to bend the knee to them if the IIHF isn't willing to give them a seat at the table for IIHF competitions. Bettman's job at the end of the day is to make the owners money. We could argue all day about whether he's actually doing as good a job as he should be with that but in today's world, expecting corporations to prioritize anything but the bottom line is a waste of energy.

[@daveg8266]

I'm not sure that's the case. I think it's more that they prioritize growing the NHL's bottom line over growing hockey worldwide. Which Bettman seems to mess up all the time anyways but I could at least understand his motivations.

[@FullOfMalarky]

@ Fair points. I agree. I wonder if it’s all short sighted though. Like does the world cup hurt FC Barcelona? Or do more Polish people now support FC Barcelona because they have the connection to Lewandowski watching him represent them right? FIFA has the advantage of WAY more continues playing soccer. But barring proper international hockey is no way to grow it right? I think in the long term, this can increase profits, but what do I know. You’re absolutely right that Bettman and the owners just want money now.

[@patrickroy6637]

I don’t get what everyone’s upset about. The main reason they can’t have all these European teams in is just because you need to make most of those rosters up with non-NHL players and there’s no way European leagues are gonna release players to a foreign tournament right when their playoffs are about to start. It’s not rocket science

[@patsgarage8593]

That's a very good point actually. I hadn't thought of that

[@vojtechhavelka8901]

In a reasonable debate, this could be agreed upon. The European leagues have been in favor of international hockey for ever. Moreover, in a year the leagues will be interrupted due to the Olympics.

[@Alex-vo2ew]

I mean that's kind of false. There are 40~ active Czech players in the NHL and they could have easily done a team "Europe" or "Global" and allowed the Russian players to join as independents (although maybe that is still controversial given that Russia is literally at war with Europe). Team Europe would have allowed guys like Drasaitl to suit up. Then, could easily have done the NA under 23s again. At a minimum, with a team Europe, you just do a 5 team round robin, eliminate 1 via round robin play and then go semis into finals. You're right, it's not rocket science. The NHL took the least imaginative route possible like they do with practically their entire operation.

[@gormros]

​@@Alex-vo2ewAlso... they picked the schedule. The other option if European playoffs are the concern is to just not set it when European playoffs are a concern. Canada has year round hockey infrastructure, as does Boston, and both are used to about half the year being hockey season in some form or another. There is plenty of time for a short tournament like this.

[@ngarcia103]

The European leagues also have international breaks built in in order to accommodate their mini-tournaments such as the Euro Hockey Tour. Their calendars also align perfectly with the World Championship. They're not going to bend their structures further for the NHL (nor should they). Even here in North America, on the women's side, the PWHL accommodates the same international breaks, plus one more for the World Championship itself.

[@kieranperreaultdit-morin9262]

It’s just an all star game again but you’re not going to have some of the league’s best players (Ovechkin, Kopitar, Draisaitl, Sorokin, Pastrnak etc) Pathetic effort by the NHL to try to make more money doing as close to nothing as possible.

[@DeepFriedLotus]

The head of NHL didn't want to do it. This whole thing is a last minute school project with obvious oversight

[@TodayInCollegeFootball]

Enjoying Eck content before the NHL destroys his channel 😢

[@thecaffeinequeen]

Honestly team Canada missed out on such an opportunity to get Flower back in net for one last tournament. Looking at the tenders they picked, can't say they're any better (actually a little worse as far as this season has gone), and at least you give a wonderful player a well deserving send out on his last international stage.

[@allankamen9875]

Fun video. Great commentary

[@Emotionless0000]

I mean it's true, but he played 17 games compared to 30 + for the others. Especially Montembeault (38 games) I'd say he's doing fine with a mid team compared to Fleury and Hill who are with a stacked team. Bennington is one of the reason why the Blues aren't good though, even if they're not always helping him.

[@thecaffeinequeen]

@@Emotionless0000 Fair, but man imagine Bell Centre if they had announced their home town hero was in net for their country's team? I think that would have done more for the team with a very stacked offensive roster than any advertisement so far in market. Out of market, would allow a "neutral" game for all the teams that Flower has played for over the years to come together and cheer for him together, and not against each other for once.

[@Emotionless0000]

@ Yeah it would've been a good choice to put Fleury.

[@Crosby-To-Malkin]

He's notoriously awful in big moments and he's 40 years old now.

[@Alex-vo2ew]

Pretty easy solution here: There are 40~ active Czech players in the NHL and they could have easily done a team "Europe" or "Global" and allowed the Russian players to join as independents (although maybe that is still controversial given that Russia is literally at war with Europe). Team Europe would have allowed guys like Drasaitl to suit up. Then, could easily have done the NA under 23s again. At a minimum, with a team Europe, you just do a 5 team round robin, eliminate 1 via round robin play and then go semis into finals. The NHL took the least imaginative route possible like they do with practically their entire operation.

[@talibandit]

europeans won’t play with or against russians, when will you guys get that in your head?

[@markmata2671]

This tournament is a joke! I’d rather have the World Cup of hockey back. At least that included more European and younger players.

[@Tdesparza]

Seth Jarvis is just happy to be involved.

[@scarface1367]

Grass Is Green

[@GadnukBoW]

The NHL (and other leagues) need to start getting input from fans and players on their promotions and events. I've never understood why a company would say "let's try something without public feedback and see how it goes" rather than saying "hey fans we want to grow our reach and make you happy, what kinds of events would you guys want to see/who would you want to watch in a tournament?" Organize responses by popularity, cut out ones that are memes or aren't physically possible to make. Hell you could make a bracket-style tournament of the top 16 ideas to be voted on throughout the playoffs and announce the new event or tournament that will be held the following year when the cup finals end. Gives people another reason to be engaged during the playoffs and makes them want to watch whatever won because they got to be a part of the process and it's something people are asking to see.

[@kennymik1509]

I believe it's because what most "average Joe" run of the mill fans want is: more food choices at the areanas, apps to play with regarding ease of "stuff", more merch choices, louder music at games, more interplay on a personal level with players, more alternate jerseys, bigger screens on the scoreboards with more instant graphics, and basically a bigger "SHOW". OH..... there's something on the ice that happens below and in between alllll of those things...a fantastic sport known as (ice) hockey.

[@gregash2304]

I am Australian, one of our main sports we watch is NRL. every year we have a comp called "state of origin" it takes the best players from the state of NSW and the state of QLD. Its a 3 game series spread out over the season. people who don't even watch the sport tune in for it. I watch it and I don't particularly like NRL. Everyone is very proud to be a supporter of NSW or QLD. I used to think it would be awesome for the NHL to have something similar. They haven't succeeded with this 4 nations unfortunately. Maybe if they just did Canada v USA, best of 5 games spread out over the season.

[@vallixau]

Also an Aussie here - I agree completely. NHL has dropped the ball with advertising, and hasn't pitched it to be very competitive, and seems to me just like the glorified teams you see at NHL All Star comps (except not all the All Stars are even playing)

[@ngarcia103]

The Canadian and American women more or less have done that for the last few years, with the Rivalry Series.

[@ngarcia103]

​@@vallixau Requiring rosters to be finalized in December for a tournament in mid February made no sense at all. Players will opt out. Players who were and weren't selected will play better or worse. Picks that made sense at the deadline might not at puck drop, and vice versa.

[@Zachalanche]

2:20 this format was so entertaining. Its such a shame there has been no return to the World Cup of Hockey 2016 format.

[@cliffbowls]

It was cool, except the horrendous decision to have a team North America U23, robbed both USA and Canada of some of their best players, and robbed those players of the opportunity to represent their country.

[@nv9120]

@@cliffbowlshonestly couldn’t disagree more. Team North America was my favourite team to watch. Some absolutely electric moments. So many unbelievable players that will likely never play together again

[@MarkHadath]

@@nv9120 the tournament with those gimmick teams that no one remembers or cared about?

[@chrisv384]

No offense.. that tourny killed the spirit of national sports. There will be no more 'miracles' with the attitude of that is entertaining...

[@CharlesNYR]

You know what I want THE WHALERS BACK IN HARTFORD (Carolina can keep the Canes just give us Brass Bonanza and the Whalers back with a expansion)

[@blueknight5754]

YOOOO!!! This! ☝🏻 🐳 🚨

[@pokemonchallenge-wn7bo]

The Flames back in Atlanta

[@RayofSunshine5519]

North Stars back in Minnesota!

[@Janhouu]

Video starts at 1:31

[@vaclavkodousek804]

Glorified all star game. Without stars of other nations.

[@dusty8789]

the 4 nations faceoff is such a joke in my opinion. what screams growing the game like only including 4 countries in a tournament thats supposed to feature the best of the best?

[@golder5XX]

real bro like what

[@Emotionless0000]

That's why the NHL market is a lot smaller than the NFL, MLB and Soccer. NHL commercials and special tournament or occasions are trash compared to the other leagues.

[@jussikankinen9409]

Sport is new religion, with beer tax the poor

[@PRIMEHDZ]

Come on the only team that is missing is Russia and Czech there really is only 5-6 teams that can compete at the Olympic level it's always been the 5 power houses and just because we are missing Russia don't mean it's not best on best there is still 4 great teams

[@elpusegato]

NHL front office are dinosaurs, sending telegrams and faxes while pretending internet and smartphones don't exist. They can't help themselves. How do you fail so hard in marketing this thing? I didn't even know the Winter Classic was on until it was already over. It sure would've been nice to get my niece a Barkov Finland jersey for Christmas.

[@monicaarisman4293]

How do you fail so bad at putting it together? Forgetting about all the other stars from countries not involved...what about a team Europe. THAT was a no brainer. I've recorded Oiler games to watch during this debacle.

[@ODD1357]

Ayyyyyy, love to see you getting some sponsors

[@PeachyPrince]

I would argue that the possible reason there is only 4 nations is because the only players being used are ones in the NHL. I don't believe there is enough Czech or German players in the NHL to make up a full team. I am actually very excited to watch the games, mainly for the reasons of which players are being paired up with who. It does feel like more of an all star/fun event type of thing. But I'll wait and see how it goes before I make my full judgment.

[@MrLooms1]

A Team Europe with Czechs/Germans/Russians etc. would be ideal.

[@Crosby-To-Malkin]

@@MrLooms1 Russia can make their own team but they obviously were never playing in this, they won't be in the 2026 Olympics either

[@MrLooms1]

@ yes but it would be nice to give the players a way to participate. They shouldn’t be banned from international play because of their government. Especially when some of the best in the world are Russian.

[@Crosby-To-Malkin]

@ Well they aren't playing. In my opinion it's 100x better to have the best teams play without them rather than not play at all. Either way they aren't that great anymore, their last 3 finishes in best on best play is 5th, 6th and 5th. Today they only have 2 good centers and their best RD Lyubushkin, at best Russia is the 4th best team and pretty debatably 5th.

[@PeachyPrince]

@ Both Sweden and Finland are European countries, so it would be weird to just lump Czechs/Germans/Russians together. There are 7 German players, 22 Czech players, 11 for Slovakia, and 57 Russian players. Russia 100% can make their own team, which tbf I feel they should have had their own team, these are our NHL players, especially since Russia will not be invited for the Olympics. But these are just the numbers of players that doesn't even tell you their positions. You could play all 22 Czech players, but they might only have one goalie and people are playing positions they dont play. Which if that was the case, then I would assume the Tournament is just for fun and possible fan enjoyment.

[@tjham3658]

Who’s surprised

[@noahfournier5044]

Imagine the next commissioner comes in and immediately announces “we want our players to compete on the Olympic level” . Mic drop - hero status.

[@ChrisLascell]

I live in Boston and had no idea the 4 nations had games here until this video.

[@MattvsAI]

This seems like a Tournament put on by the NHLPA during a long strike

[@CertifiedBenchwarmer]

It’s so stupid that it’s only 4 countries

[@rawfootagetoday6766]

$500 a ticket... piss off NHL.

[@ngarcia103]

For comparison, I paid about $550 for the Women's World Championship when it was in Brampton a few years ago. $550... not for one game... for the entire tournament. (Sure, you could make some comment about that being women's hockey, but no single game should be $500 / ticket.)

[@Dylligraphy]

Went to Finland vs NA in the World Cup of Hockey for under a tenth of that

[@filiplesko3262]

As a Czech, we hate this tournament. Like we get it that you guys just wanted NHL tournament, which will work as a prep for the Olympics. (Another advantage for you there) The exclusion of hockey powerhouses like Czechia Russia Switzerland Slovakia or Germany is just laughable. (We even tried to make a joint team of Czechoslovakia to get there. We still we're denied. We won the IIHF world championship, and yet we are not there. The same goes for the Swiss, which were in the Final with us.)

[@ngarcia103]

As a Canadian (who is an avid follower of IIHF hockey), I share your sentiment. The NHL needs to leave the international tournaments to the IIHF. You know, the *International* Ice Hockey Federation. The more of these tournaments the NHL holds, the more I get the feeling that (1) the NHL has some sort of issue with the IIHF, and (2) the NHL refuses to acknowledge the existence of any hockey that isn't their own. (ironic for a league who supposedly wants to "grow the game"...) They've (allegedly) already told the IIHF that they plan to hold a 2028 World Cup without their involvement. And you already know it's going to be as horribly organised as this tournament is. And NHL fans will show unnecessary hatred towards the World Championship "because it's not best on best". European leagues and the IIHF are able to make things work by scheduling international breaks in order to accommodate mini-tournaments like the Euro Hockey Tour. And I don't see many complaints there.

[@AzraelAeternum]

In the end this tournament will fulfil its only purpose…making money. The NHL doesn’t care for international hockey unless the NHL can profit of it. Every year you have official World Championships where usually every country has the chance of participating via qualification/promotion, even if the quality of some nations differs from others. But unfortunately the media coverage of this tournament is often lackluster in NA compared to the playoffs which take place at the same time.

[@gurnoorbhoey9096]

congrats on the hello fresh partner 💪🏽

[@standing0]

This is a total waste of a tournament....have it in the summer.

[@HamzehHadad]

The Olympics will be in February next year. It’s good to space it out a year apart. Ideally you have a World Cup and the Olympics spaced apart every 2 years.

[@DavidSmith-wd7wc]

This isn't best o best this is a money grab by nhl. Bettman is on his way out. NHL has so disappointing these days. Honestly hope this completely fails

[@Bennyy85]

Some of the lineup decisions for USA and Canada are baffling

[@SabresAreGoated]

Yeah as a sabres fan I was shocked when tage thompson didn't make it but Chris kreider did 😂

[@bepreparedforwhatscoming4975]

Canada has the number 2 and 4 best goalies (from what I remember seeing). Neither got chosen..

[@tayflyfree497]

I like that it's a short tournament that way the nhl teams aren't affected by a 2 week break

[@xMrJesterx]

I understand everyone's hate towards this tournament. Only 4 teams, lack of merch, players dropping out, etc. But we all need to remember. this is just a trial run tourney to hammer out the kinks to setup the World Cup of Hockey in 2028. Its fine if they mess things up for this 4 Nations. The more they see their mistakes here then the more they'll know ahead of time for the much bigger and important 2028 World Cup. And that's the tourney we need to succeed so we can see that every 4 years like the Olympics.

[@switchgear100]

The fact 4 nations and now the 2020 world cup don't have IIHF participation just kills my interest. If I am watching a world cup I want it to be the best in the world, not 5 teams of the NHL.

[@Crosby-To-Malkin]

The NHL has all of the best players in the world

[@Statsy10]

Sorry to tell you this, but those are indeed the best teams in the world.

[@laughingbeast4481]

@@Crosby-To-Malkin 1-Not all of best players. 2-There's difference between bunch of players that are top statistically/talentwise/technically and a best built team. Team Czechia for example will be always weaker without Euro players. Even in Nagano 98 we won with half of team from Europe.

[@Crosby-To-Malkin]

@ There were 8 non NHLers on the 98 team and you guys had two of the top 10 best players ever at their peak. The NHL really does have all of the best players in the world

[@miikaIS]

@@Crosby-To-Malkin Well, the best players in a sense that if you are talking about the absolute best. But going outside top 2 lines, no. There are ton of better players in Europe than third or fourth liners in NHL. Also Finland didn't have an All NHL team at Nagano and they got the Bronze.

[@Salted_Pumpkin]

I'm fine with it only being 4 Nations this year because they made it very clear that they would be expanding in the future. The late merch drop is crazy although I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes in the pocket of the league as most NHL fans can't afford merch anyway. What I think is the most damming is that nobody seems hyped for the actual games. I have seen almost zero discussion of how we think these teams will clash, why the matchups are exciting or what each country has to do to win.

[@ferrariasparta]

I'm glat there is no team Russia, but not having the most recent world championship winners and runner ups participating is absolutely criminal. I know they keep saying that they want only NHL players participating but when NHL star-studded USA/Canada teams don't even get a medal against half EU league European teams it ruins the narrative of of NHL total superiority, but it often also means that some deserving players get to showcase their skills and get a chance to fight for an NHL contract that would've otherwise been overlooked.

[@ngarcia103]

I mean, that was Canada's first year without a medal since 2018 (and 2018 and 2024 were the only times since 2015 that they missed the gold medal game). I agree with everything else though. The more of these tournaments the NHL holds, the more I get a sense that they have some sort of beef with the IIHF. The problem is the NHL thinks the NHL is the only hockey that exists, and that all hockey fans are NHL fans, which is certainly not the case.

[@ferrariasparta]

@@ngarcia103 I agree. The pinnacle of international hockey isn't that broad, so realistacally if you have a team of NHL players, getting a medal each year should be the bare minimum, but look at the USA, their vast majority of players is from the NHL yet I can't remember the last time they got a medal, let alone gold.

[@Effigyy]

4 nations just doesn't inspire the same way "world cup of hockey" did. 2004 edition was bananas. great international hockey with nhl stars from 8 countries

[@trentdubs9990]

being from wisconsin i cant get over why we cant get a team, we love hockey and our franchises get soooo much love, i mean do they not see what the packers have done here as well as the bucks, teams in small markets that spent lots of money and make tons of money. but lets throw another franchise in cali, utah was a slap in the face..........arizona rofl.... i mean a wisconsin guy kessel was there best player. i cant even have a favorite team kinda stinks.

[@michaelbrinkman1245]

I kinda like the format. It's the same as a small weekend youth tournament/showcase situation. How well it turns out depends on how invested the players are and how the marketing / hype is handled around the round robin games.

[@ngarcia103]

As someone who is primarily an IIHF hockey fan, this entire tournament has just felt like the NHL giving a giant middle finger to the IIHF, as if to tell them "we can do your job better than you". Why not leave the international tournaments to the INTERNATIONAL Ice Hockey Federation? And they certainly have not been doing it better. They've beyond butchered the marketing for this event. 1. Why do you have to have announcements announcing announcements? The "first six players" thing, then the full rosters, now they're apparently announced that they're going to announce the four captains at separate times (as if they can't do that all at once). 2. Why did rosters have to be announced TWO MONTHS before the tournament? You know players are going to opt out, while other players who were/n't picked are going to play better or worse in those two months. Selections that made sense at the time of the deadline might not make sense at puck drop, and vice versa. 3. Merch not being ready until 8(-ish) days before the tournament starts. And in 3/4 cases (Sweden, I'm jealous that you've stuck to the Tre Kronor all these years), they're jerseys you know they're not wearing again after this tournament.

[@bartsanders1553]

NHL fans are here to service the league, not the other way around.

[@Tartt4]

If non-NHLers from smaller hockey countries aren’t included, I genuinely think the NHL shouldn’t even bother with international tournaments

[@lovebattleforge]

Good sponsor, I hope it helps keeping this channel alive!

[@terminator6950]

Canada, Sweden, Finland, United States, Czechia, Slovakia, Germany, Switzerland. Should be eight teams instead of four.

[@notobi-wan8344]

Always good when people underestimate Finland. We do best while we are underestimated

[@thefamilymans2545]

I have been thinking that 4 teams isnt enough, and a LOT of great players being left out.

[@classic.cameras]

problem no.1 is FOUR NATIONS. Um I get we hate Russia these days but uh... Czechia bare minimum!

[@TheKorejen]

Czechia doesn’t have enough talent sadly, we’d have to fill most of the roster with AHL players

[@FullOfMalarky]

@@TheKorejenbecause we are only dealing with the NHL. If you involved the IIHF and CIHA (and every other nations national org) then we can see that what they put together. Thats how Soccer creates a world cup. And its the biggest thing in the soccer world.

[@jbkilluh]

Raks being left off Sweden is a glaring snub. Also would have loved to see Rusty on team USA playing with Guentzel again. I also can’t believe they didn’t have Bedard playing on Canada with how much hype they give him

[@PleadsDS]

I'm understanding of why the NHL didn't try to chase the wild high that was Team NA from the last world cup, but also disappointed we didn't get to see a whole team of kids take on the world? Maybe they'd crush it, considering the consistent rise in skill? Celebrini, Bedard, Hutson?

[@frantisekvrnata2315]

McDavid already played for Canada in the world championship 2018 in Coppenhagen

[@bogeyt15games55]

Trocheck and both tkachuks might be the scariest 4th line the NHL could fathom.

[@braydenganger7656]

I would’ve liked to see bedard on team Canada solely to see him with help, when they’ve played the capitals I’ve noticed how much vision and a awareness he has, though lacking in the size/strength to take full advantage of it, I think it would be cool to see that put to use with some high-end talent next to him

[@Sean-YEG]

Compared to any other best on best competition my level of excitement is very low. Compared to any all star game my excitement is pretty high.

[@andrenoneofyourbusiness3881]

This Four Nations Cup is the stupidest idea I've seen in my 53 years.

[@g-urts5518]

As a huge NHL and hockey in general, fan, I've never cared about a tournament less, especially considering it has some of the best players in the world. Will I watch? Most of it, yeah. But I'm not excited like I would be for the Olympics (with the nhlers) or the world cup

[@dirk903]

I have hardly seen any advertising for the 4 nations. I don't know when, or where they are being played

[@brad1716]

Your so innocent ECK, it’s cute. NHL doesn’t care about fans, it only cares about money.

[@CaptainPizza18]

No Suzuki or Caufield means I won't be tunning in.

[@anjelabug32]

I'm a fan, I want to see it - I haven't been a hockey fan long enough to see Crosby in even a psuedo-international competition. As for snubs, well, I'm a Kraken fan, so Eeli Tolvanen, darn it. But hey, at least we have a guy going to the tournament (Kaapo Kakko!). Hope he does great!

[@Djungelurban]

Even suggesting that "Team Young People" and "Team Rest Of The World" wasn't absolute crimes against humanity should probably give you a ban from all hockey for life...

[@CarbonatedTurtle]

I've never been less excited about a hockey tournament in my life and I can't wait for it to be over with so we can get back to the season. Everything about it seems so forced, and I don't understand just stopping an NHL season right in the middle of it so players from only 4 countries can play in it.

[@spinorama29]

Why did you have to ruin my morning with the crosby goal?

[@lanakila777]

There are more NHL players from Russia then Finland, and there is no reason for those players to be excluded.

[@CMeasurez]

I for one am very excited to see Jack Hughes and auston Matthew’s, Vincent trocheck play on the same team, they should’ve asked Luke Hughes to be on defense he’s unreal and has a great break away.

[@TheMikeyb86]

Draisaitl not playing for Canada is a farce. Dude has one of the best Alberta blue collar accents, there's no way he's not from there.

[@timtom25]

one thing. I want a penalty a longer penalty when there is retaliation after a good hit.

[@Jorma___]

This is not a world cup, this is a practice tournament to be ready for olympics and world cups that are coming in upcoming years. I think NHL have said it clearly at some point

[@LindyBuff]

honestly im just glad theyre doing SOMETHING. the truth is the All Star weekend has gotten less and less interesting and they rarely address problems so im glad they are trying something.

[@brude8115]

Sure they’re struggling to sell tickets. To sit in the upper bowl you’re spending almost $800 Cad to watch Canada vs USA

[@lazzy2012]

These jerseys will be on the discount rack at “Winners”

[@petermills-c1h]

Been a hockey fan over 70 years. I have a favourite NHL team but love watching many players and teams develop. I used to like the All Star game when it occurred before the season started. Since then, I resent the NHL taking an extended period off to hold what amounts to a play day for some and a holiday for others. The “skills” competition is the equivalent of the Mighty Ducks “flying vee” nonsense. The Olympics involvement for NHL players would make sense during the summer Olympics so they could pursue their personal allegiance without disrupting the NHL season. The current 4 nation joke excludes many great players from participation based on where they were born. Perhaps they should be glad to avoid this pathetic exhibition. Watch it if you want: I will watch better hockey (even without better players) in the PWHL.

[@Coles900gbutter]

2016 wcoh was awesome. was lots of fun to watch

[@BraveCat9927]

I want mckinnon to show mcdavid lovers who's really the blessing to watch.

[@CP4Z167]

This is gonna turn out the same as that World Cup with the under 23 team. People will watch and stop caring right after the tournament

[@SpooksDinat]

I get more excitement waiting for games in the Champions Hockey League, than the 4 Nations Cup..

[@instaman34]

Team Canada picking Marchand over a guy like Suzuki is wild to me

[@kesler171717]

I think its partially to prevent injuries as well. Less games less % chance for injury

[@liamw3689]

the olympic mention made me laugh. the last two olympics, they said nhlers were going and backed out last minute. wouldn’t surprise me in the least if they do it again twice, cuz they’ve given me nothing to make me trust them in this regard.

[@generalimlerith8356]

Before this video I totally forgot bout 4 Nations lol

[@RandomOilersFan]

Bettman is such a braindead commissioner, thank God be is retiring

[@ThomasJM25]

The fans want Crosby and MacKinnon playing on the AVS or the Rangers :)

[@ethanparker7900]

cope with the fact he is NEVER leaving pittsburgh. Im not even a pens fan but leave the poor guy alone he i'm sure is tired of answering for these rumors so just stfu about them. Doesn't matter if they're friends off the ice.

[@ThomasJM25]

@@ethanparker7900 Yea i know he isnt leaving the penguins. Its just a fun comment

[@ethanparker7900]

@@ThomasJM25 fun? U mean like for the whiny trolls to view?

[@Synister29]

No Russian team is criminal. I get the whole political thing, but they could have had a Eastern Europe team or something

[@willyupshaw]

Should have had a Russian team. They did not ban team USA for a invading the middle east

[@milesbowen9433]

@@willyupshaw definitely not the same thing, but it sucks that a bunch of Russians won’t get to play for their country because of the decisions of leaders

[@ElCarboon]

These idiots do not understand what's going in Europe and what will happen in the world if Russian and Chinese imperialism is not stopped. These isolationists lmao

[@cadelism]

The idea that Czechs, for example, would agree to play on the same "national" team with Russians is totally delusional, lol.

[@potatoModel]

The great thing about your video headline is that it can be reused for just about any story dealing with the NHL. It seems to be the only sports league that actively doesn't want you watch it or buy the merch.

[@koylesmasterpeice]

I feel like it's going to be another all-star game, but I am hoping for the best.

[@bman4527]

I have no idea if this will look like an all star game or not

[@Loopsinasquare]

Let me guess, you’ll have to sign up for another streaming service to watch

[@oscarmurillo4067]

Of course, they don't understand. The NHL is basically like any other business including education. They care about only 3 things. Money, data, and results. I'm not surprised at all and I expect the NHL to keep getting worse unless they change things around.

[@TheOisannNetwork]

I feel like the NHL is a continuous version of the meme where the kid puts a pipe in his bike tire.

[@TheOisannNetwork]

Also as a Norwegian that historically was a Team Canada fan, I must say I want Sweden to do well in this.