The 4 Nations tournament, featuring the United States, Sweden, Finland, and Canada, gets underway in Montreal as a key stepping stone to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. While NHL players publicly downplay Olympic aspirations, the tournament serves as a crucial showcase for talent and a potential platform for securing a coveted spot on national rosters.
Jon Cooper, coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, insists that the upcoming 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics haven't been a topic of conversation in his team's locker room. 'It has never been mentioned in the room,' Cooper stated. 'It's never been talked about.' However, the reality is NHL players are acutely aware of the looming international competition.
The 4 Nations tournament, featuring the United States, Sweden, Finland, and Canada, serves as the closest approximation to a 'best-on-best' event since the 2016 World Cup. For NHL players, it's a crucial platform to showcase their skills and potentially secure a spot on the Olympic roster. 'The best thing any one of us could do is to win and play great,' said American forward Jack Hughes. 'That's really what it comes down to.' Similar sentiments were echoed by Canadian defenseman Jake Morrissey, who emphasized the importance of staying focused on the present: 'I don't think you can be thinking about it too much,' Morrissey stated. 'We want to go out there and play great hockey and win this event. That's the best thing you can do as a player.'The NHL's return to the Olympic stage after a hiatus stemming from financial reasons and the COVID-19 pandemic is a welcome development for many players. The league's commitment to hosting a World Cup in 2028 indicates a desire to establish a regular cycle of top-tier international tournaments. The significance of the 4 Nations for players like Hughes and Morrissey, who are considered shoo-ins for the Olympics, is less pronounced. But for those further down the lineup, the stakes are higher. The tournament presents a unique opportunity to impress Olympic selectors and potentially earn a coveted spot on their nation's roster.Canadian defenseman, Mark Giordano, acknowledged the weight of this opportunity, stating, 'You get a chance to wear the Maple Leaf, you want to represent. To have an opportunity like this, I want to definitely come out here, especially in front of the executives, and put a good foot forward.' Giordano, at 34 years old, understands the limited time he has left to compete at the highest level. He emphasized the importance of preparation and seizing every moment. 'You've got to be healthy and be at the right place at the right time to just be fortunate to play one,' Giordano added.For players like Canadian forward, Matthew Tkachuk, who has been on a journey to reach the NHL, the 4 Nations represents a chance to prove himself on a global stage. 'I get the opportunity to go out there and prove myself potentially for (the Olympics),' Tkachuk said. 'There's 23 of us that get that opportunity.
NHL Olympics 4 Nations Tournament Canada USA Sweden Finland Olympic Qualifying International Hockey
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NHL news, NHL results, NHL standings, NHL scores, NHL teams, NHL schedule, NHL stats, NHL updates, NHL analysis, NHL highlights, NHL players, NHL events, NHL coverage, NHL articles, NHL season, NHL videos, NHL games, NHL live scores
Read more »
NHL news, NHL results, NHL standings, NHL scores, NHL teams, NHL schedule, NHL stats, NHL updates, NHL analysis, NHL highlights, NHL players, NHL events, NHL coverage, NHL articles, NHL season, NHL videos, NHL games, NHL live scores
Read more »
NHL news, NHL results, NHL standings, NHL scores, NHL teams, NHL schedule, NHL stats, NHL updates, NHL analysis, NHL highlights, NHL players, NHL events, NHL coverage, NHL articles, NHL season, NHL videos, NHL games, NHL live scores
Read more »
NHL news, NHL results, NHL standings, NHL scores, NHL teams, NHL schedule, NHL stats, NHL updates, NHL analysis, NHL highlights, NHL players, NHL events, NHL coverage, NHL articles, NHL season, NHL videos, NHL games, NHL live scores
Read more »
NHL news, NHL results, NHL standings, NHL scores, NHL teams, NHL schedule, NHL stats, NHL updates, NHL analysis, NHL highlights, NHL players, NHL events, NHL coverage, NHL articles, NHL season, NHL videos, NHL games, NHL live scores
Read more »
NHL news, NHL results, NHL standings, NHL scores, NHL teams, NHL schedule, NHL stats, NHL updates, NHL analysis, NHL highlights, NHL players, NHL events, NHL coverage, NHL articles, NHL season, NHL videos, NHL games, NHL live scores
Read more »