In recent years, international top ice hockey has taken a big hit at the national team level, because the NHL has been reluctant to let its players into the Olympic tournaments.
While Korona was still stirring things up in the hockey world, seven years have already passed since the international tournament occupied by the best players.
In autumn 2016, the competition was held under the name World Cup in Toronto. Because of its special format, that tournament did not become one of the unforgettable hockey tournaments.
The last time the NHL was at the Olympics was in 2014, so almost ten years ago. Then we competed in Sochi, Russia.
When the NHL is now seriously planning a return to international hockey, including the Olympics, Russia is not included for known reasons. At least not in the winter of 2025, when the intention is to play a four-country top tournament between Finland, Sweden, Canada and the United States.
Where and with what charts are questions that are still on the table.
– Nothing has been locked in, but we are working on it, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stated to the media in early December in Seattle.
The winter 2025 tournament would be like a taste of the NHL’s return to the international arena. According to Bettman, the NHL is simultaneously planning to restore the World Cup concept and return to Olympic hockey. Every two years, the NHL would therefore organize the World Cup and participate in the Olympics.
The friendly relationship between the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation IIHF has not been particularly good, but the sport is taking big steps in the right direction.
It goes without saying that the NHL players also greeted the recent news with great joy.
“Opportunity to succeed”
An entire generation of top-class NHL players has had time to grow up in Finland as well, who have never been able to measure their level with the Lions against the best in the world. Sure Alexander Barkov participated in Sochi at the age of 18, but was injured at the very beginning of the tournament.
Sebastian Aho and Patrick Laine were also involved in Toronto 2016 at the age of 18.
Now the situation would be completely different, when Barkov, Aho, Mikko Rantanen, Miro Heiskanen and many others operate in the NHL at an elite level.
Barkov does not hide his enthusiasm.
– Such a tournament would be incredible from the point of view of the spectators. I myself watched all the Olympics and World Cups when I was younger. It would be unimaginable now to be able to play games like that and see where we go among the best, Barkov tells Urheilu.
Some of Finland’s elite players played in the 2016 World Youth Championship gold team that won the World Championship gold in Helsinki, but at the adult level, Mikkorantases and Aleksanderbarkovs have never been able to play together. When you think about how widely Finland has NHL individual excellence, Leijonat would get a huge group like other countries.
– Wouldn’t we have a pretty tough group together, too? It would be really nice to be able to measure the level and see how we fare against the best. We would certainly have a chance to succeed there, Dallas’ Miro Heiskanen assures.
Barkov is thirsty for the opportunity to play with the best Finnish players.
– That’s why such a tournament would be absolutely incredible, to be able to play with the best. I’ve played a lot against Rantas and others in the NHL and I know exactly how good they are. It would be great to get on the same page now. It would be great to get to train together and see a little how the guys do things, Barkov enthuses.
And according to Tappara-kasvati, Finland would not need to bow down in perhaps the toughest tournament of all time.
– We will win it, Barkov charges.
Work to be done in Florida
In the current season, the topic of conversation for Barkov has been somewhat peculiarly related to the player’s weight loss, which he talked about in an interview with Urheilu already in the summer. According to the player himself, the lighter nature has been reflected in the NHL bowls in a good way throughout the fall.
– I lost weight through the diet. I ate more often, but in smaller portions, and I did more jogging and other things for training. There were no other secrets in that fall. Now I feel that the essence is lighter and the movement better. That’s why it’s nice to be on the ice.
The lighter Barkov has had so much fun on the ice that this has been the absolute best center of the fall season in the world’s best league.
Of course, it is also not appropriate to forget that Barkov now carries a lighter load on his shoulders than perhaps ever before. Florida has such a deep team that there is no need to play around with the Finnish star of the group in November-December. Barkov’s ice time average (19:45) is at its lowest in seven years.
– Of course, it helps me when there is such a deep lineup that you can play four chains the whole game. At no point do you have to go to two or three chains. When I play less, I have more sharpness and explosiveness in the innings that I play, says Barkov.
After last summer’s final loss, Florida has only one mission, and it also shines through Barkov’s words. The group that has found its playful identity only pursues one thing.
– A balance for playing has been found. For us, the way we play and the style now stay in the back of our minds practically all the time. Now everyone knows what to do there. Last season we learned a lot and this season that process has continued. This is the way to win in the spring as well, Barkov assures.