Every year, in late January or early February, the National Hockey League (N.H.L.) would hold the N.H.L. All-Star Game. This year, it was replaced by the 4 Nation Face-Off, one of the best decisions the N.H.L. has made in recent years. The All-Star Game had been running continuously, except 2021 due to Covid, since 1947, hosting some of the best players in the league to show off their skills, with viewer rates only declining every year.
The 4 countries involved with the 4 Nation Face-Off are the U.S.A, Canada, Sweden, and Finland. Only 4 countries were represented because there must be enough N.H.L. skaters to complete each of the rosters. In the All-Star game, the N.H.L, had 4 divisions, which were ultimately filled with the same players every year. The new 4 Nation Face-Off opened up a brand new subsection of rosters that may not have been highlighted in the All-Star Game.
Having a best-on-best tournament style like this is extremely beneficial for the game of hockey as a whole. The teams highlight the best players of these 4 countries going against each other. The younger contingency of N.H.L. skaters might have many opportunities to represent their countries, for some league veterans, this tournament could be their best shot at such a chance to do the same. The tournament allows players to play against and with their teammates, but also being able to play with their opponents.
In 2016, the World Cup of Hockey included teams from: Canada, Czechia, Finland, Russia, Sweden, and the U.S.A. There was also a “Team Europe”, for players such as Germany, Switzerland, and Slovakia that didn’t have full rosters. In the 4 nations, Russia was not included because of their war with Ukraine. The World Cup of Hockey was more all-encompassing, to the point where “Team Europe” existed because those players whose national teams didn’t make the cut into the spotlight could be a part of it. The lack of a Czech team, who’s seen great success in the International Ice Hockey Federation (I.I.H.F.), was a complete snub to the 4 teams that were chosen.
The award for the team that wins the 4 Nation Face-Off has also completely shifted from what the award for winning the All-Star Game. In the All-Star game, the team would be awarded $1,000,000 towards a charity of their choice. In the 4 Nation Face-Off, the prize has not fully been disclosed, but as of right now, the winning team is to only receive medals. The lack of award for this feat seems to be the biggest dulling factor to the entire tournament. The tournament will raise viewer rates as it is something new that the N.H.L. is implementing, rather than continuing doing the same things every year while view rates steadily decline.
