Big hockey news came from behind Rapako on Friday, when it became clear that NHL players will participate in the next two Winter Olympics. In addition, the USA, Canada, Finland and Sweden will play a four-country tournament with NHL players as early as February 2025.
Read more: Revolutionary hockey news! NHL players for the Olympics – Finnish stars in the four-country tournament already in February 2025
Sports expert Top Nättinen was happy about the Olympic news, but thought that the tournament of four countries could cause gravel noises in the long run. According to the expert, Finnish hockey is now being properly weighed at the international level for the first time in a long time.
NHL players will participate in both the 2026 and 2030 Winter Olympics. NHL players have not participated in the Winter Olympics since 2014. According to Nättinen, the NHL’s decision was expected.
– The pressure has certainly come from the players, because the players have always wanted to go to the Olympic Games. Yes, the NHL has realized that North American star players like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Austin Matthews also wanted for the Olympics. They are the best players in the world. This is also an advertisement for the NHL, Nättinen saw.
– It would have been quite shameful if, for example, Connor McDavid had never been able to play in the Olympics in a Canadian shirt.
Connor McDavid, listed as the best player in the world, represented the North American team at the 2016 World Cup, which consisted of players under the age of 23. He last played in the World Cup in spring 2018.
McDavid emphasized at the NHL media conference that he has always been a vocal advocate of national team hockey.
– The very possibility of this is a dream come true. I have been talking about this for a long time. I think it’s important for hockey as we continue to try to grow our game internationally and domestically (in Canada), McDavid enthused.
Sebastian Aho happy
The best of the best players will now face each other in an international tournament for the first time in eight years. The World Cup was last played in 2016.
This is certainly great news among other things To Sebastian Aho, Patrik Lainee, Mikko Rantanen, Miro Heiskanen and for other star-category Finnish NHL players who have not yet been able to play adult national team hockey together.
– Now Finnish players born in the 1990s will get the crown and opportunity they deserve. They have grown up watching the games in Turin, Salt Lake City and even Nagano. Then there have been Vancouver and Sochi.
– Alexander Barkov and Olli Määttä played in Sochi in the 90s, but practically no one else has been able to play except for one World Cup that ended with a stomach bug, Nättinen reminds.
Aho commented at the NHL’s media conference that he was happy about the return of NHL players to international hockey.
– I remember well when I was little watching the Olympics and how playing there became a dream for me.
– Our generation has not been able to represent Finland as NHL players. I am very excited about this. The whole nation is behind the team. I know that there are many people in Finland and Europe who are excited about this. I am always happy when I have been able to play in the national team.
Finnish hockey to the real pounder
Nättinen sees that with the Olympics and the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, the level of Finnish puck will reach a real peak.
– We have counted on the World Cup and the Junior World Cup, but now we will get the yardstick for Finnish ice hockey properly. Now you can find out where the world’s best go.
Next year, the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off event will be played. Canadian, American, Finnish and Swedish teams made up of NHL players play in the international tournament.
– Here, in the big picture, business comes first, the NHL wants to make money. The NHL also wants the players to get what they want. It’s a bit like the mood of international football here, when the Nations League is brought there in addition to prestigious competitions, Nättinen reflected.
The 4 Nations Face-Off event is played in Canada and the United States. It replaces the constellation weekend of the 2024-2025 season.
– Certainly there is enthusiasm and enthusiasm here at first, but if this is brought there permanently, then at some point there may be sounds of gravel when the Olympics return every other year and a tournament like this every other year.
Nättinen sees that the number of matches can cause irritation in the long run and increase injuries.
– Now this was easy to sell when people are just excited. Personally, I’m probably more in favor of the Olympics being enough, but money talks and we want to do business. I believe that the halls are full and there is enough visibility.
The NHL’s plan is that the winter 2025 four-nation tournament would be like a taster. The NHL hopes according to its announcementthat the 2025 “interim tournament” is the gateway to a regular international schedule that includes the NHL’s participation in the Olympics and the World Cup alternating every two years.
Heavy pressure on Pennase, does Jalos regret it?
Antti Pennanen takes responsibility for the Finnish men’s A national team after this spring. At the helm of the Lions, Pennase now has two World Cups, one Olympic Games and one 4 Nations Face-Off tournament ahead of him.
Nättinen thinks that Pennase has great opportunities ahead, but with them also great pressure.
– In the NHL, the players are used to heavy pressure, but only a coach who has coached in the SM league finds himself in a really tough position. Although he has super great potential, there is another side to the coin. A single game can decide whether you are a good or bad coach in the eyes of an entire nation.
Nättinen claims that there may be additions to the background team of the Lions for the NHL Olympics.
– Help and support is not a bad thing if it is justified. I could imagine that Pennanen’s team will include people with NHL experience.
After the spring, Pennanen will take over the coaching responsibility of the successful pilot From Jukka Jalose.
– I would like to hear a direct and honest assessment now, Harmittaako Jukka Jalo. I think he’s a little sad, because he didn’t get the best players like in 2010, when Leijonat won Olympic bronze, Nättinen reflects.
– Something must have stuck in his teeth, and he was still making his debut as a coach at that time. He didn’t get the best players together in his last national team stint. This is great for Pennase, but it’s certainly unfortunate for Jalose.
NHL players have been absent from the Olympics because the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation IIHF have not reached an agreement. The NHL has been reluctant to let its players into the tournament in the middle of the NHL season. In addition, the twists have concerned, for example, players’ insurance issues.