NHL Announcements for the Future of International Hockey
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NHL in the Olympics
It is official. The National Hockey League is allowing current players to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy. Commissioner Gary Bettman announced just a few days ago that the Olympics were a "go" in both 2026 and 2030.
The NHL hasn't allowed players to compete in the Olympics since 2014. In 2018, it was the first year they wouldn't send players to compete for the sake of scheduling regular season games, as well as no pause for a few weeks in February. In 2022, it was mainly COVID that made them opt out for a second straight time. There was a pause in the NHL regular season because of the disease, so keeping players in North America was probably for the better.
In 2014, the two teams that competed for the Gold Medal were Canada and Sweden. Canada ended up winning by a score of 3-0, with goals coming from Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), and Chris Kunitz (Pittsburgh Penguins). Goaltender Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens) recorded a 24-save shutout in the process. Canada managed to go undefeated in the tournament, while only scoring 17 goals in 6 games. It marked Canada's ninth ice hockey gold medal in the Olympics, as well as their 2nd consecutive (Vancouver 2010).
The NHL announced a new international tournament set to take place in 2025, described as an "appetizer" for the Olympics in 2026. The tournament consists of four countries to compete, with those being Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States. There will be a total of 7 games, round robin style, which will lead into bracket play. It will take place in two locations in Canada and the U.S. (one in each country), which have not been named yet. This tournament will be taking place instead of the 2025 All Star Game.
This newly proposed tournament will bring some more excitement for not just the fans, but the players as well. Many players around the world will say how special it is to be able to represent their country in the game of hockey. With this event and the Olympics being in the near future for the NHL for years to come, players will have that opportunity. There have been projected rosters going around the internet, and there is a load of talent that will be competing at the first ever 4 Nations Face Off.
Connor McDavid is just one name that would stand out on this Canadian team. McDavid hasn't competed internationally since the 2018 World Championships, where he amassed 17 points in 10 games. He also competed in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, representing the North American team. That team consisted of the NHL's young stars and prospects, and he posted 3 assists in 3 games.
Auston Matthews headlines the squad for the United States, as he has cemented himself as one of the greatest goal scorers of this generation. Matthews hasn't competed internationally since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, also representing the North American team, putting up 2 goals in 3 games. He also represented the United States in the World Junior Championships in 2016, leading his team to a bronze finish while scoring 7 goals in 7 games.
Sebastian Aho is also just one of many impressive names on the Finnish roster. Aho has been one of the more underrated players for the last few years and is in the midst of his prime. Aho hasn't competed internationally since the 2018 World Championships, where he put up 18 points in 8 games. He also participated in all international games for Finland, scoring 10 goals and 19 points in 9 games.
Elias Pettersson headlines the Swedish roster, as he has put up impressive numbers the past year or two. Pettersson hasn't competed internationally since the 2019 World Championships, where he collected 10 points in 8 games. He also participated in all international games for Sweden, putting up 14 points in 11 games.
The World Cup of Hockey hasn't been around since 2016, and the NHL plans to try and bring it back around 2028 and 2032. There were hopes of bringing it back in 2024, but they proposed the Four Nations Face Off for 2025. There have only been 3 played in the past, those being in 1996, 2004, and 2016. The United States won it in '96, and Canada won in both '04 and '16. The NHL plans to keep the tournament going every 4 years to keep the international play alive, and it gives players a chance to represent their country outside of the Olympics. This tournament allows the game to grow and gain exposure from numerous places around the world.
In 2016, Canada took home the trophy of the World Cup. The final round was a best of 3 series, and Canada took on Europe to play for the championship. Game 1 was a 3-1 win for Canada, with goals from Brad Marchand (Boston Bruins), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning), and Patrice Bergeron (Boston Bruins). The lone goal scorer for Europe was Tomas Tatar (Detroit Red Wings). Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens) picked up 32 saves in the win, while Jaroslav Halak (New York Islanders) picked up 35 saves in the loss.
In Game 2, Canada had the opportunity to win the series and take home the trophy, and they did just that. They took home a 2-1 win, with goals from goal scorers from game 1, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. The Europe goal came from defenseman Zdeno Chara (Boston Bruins). Carey Price picked up 32 saves in the series clinching win, and Jaroslav Halak picked up 32 saves as well in the loss. This win secured Canada's second consecutive World Cup of Hockey title, with the last one coming 12 years prior in 2004.
For the World Cup of Hockey planned for 2028, the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) is still unsure of the rulings for Russian athletes to participate. With the Russia-Ukraine conflicts that have been happening for some time, they may allow them to compete under certain conditions such as a neutral name and flag. It hasn't been approved by some or most of the countries participating in the World Cup. Not to mention, the NHL severed all business ties with Russia back in February 2022.
A Look Around the NHL Nearing the National Hockey League's All-Star Break, let's check in with the stat leaders for both teams and individuals. This season has consisted of thrilling games, milestones, and crazy highlights just about halfway in. Points Nikita Kucherov - 85 -----> Nathan Mackinnon - 84 David Pastrnak - 72 J.T. Miller - 67 Connor McDavid - 67 Goals Auston Matthews - 40 ----> Sam Reinhart - 37 David Pastrnak - 33 Nikita Kucherov - 32 Nathan Mackinnon - 31 Assists Nathan Mackinnon - 53 ----> Nikita Kucherov - 53 Quinn Hughes - 50 Connor McDavid - 47 Cale Makar - 46 Highlighted Players Nikita Kucherov - Kucherov is having himself another MVP caliber season, leading the league in points with 85. He is on pace for 141 points, which would surpass his career high of 128 in 2018-19. Auston Matthews - Matthews is on pace to hit the 70-goal mark for the first time in
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