Jan Levine: Four Nations Faceoff, practice lines for the Rangers in the tourney Game action starts Wednesday

From previous blog:

The other day ESPN did a ranking of all the players playing in the 4 nations tournament. They polled a “panel of more than 50 ESPN broadcasters, analysts, reporters and editors.” Here is where the Rangers ranked out of 91 players (there is still one injury sub yet to be announced at the time):

91) Urho Vaakanainen (last)
78) Kaapo Kakko (honorable mention)
71) Chris Kreider
65) Vincent Trocheck
60) Mika Zibanejad
25) JT Miller
24) Adam Fox
- banger94

That’s pretty accurate based on this season
- TPC

I wonder how they would have ranked Panarin.

Remember the beginning of the season? He started on an 8 game point streak. He had 11 points in the first 4 games (5 goals, 6 assists). I thought he was going to crush the Rangers single season points record.

He now has 57 points in 53 games, which means since the first 4 games, he has 46 points in the past 49 games. Not terrible, but far below his production as a Ranger.

I’m glad Kreider is the extra skater. He can do with some time off.

A line with Miller and both Tkachuks would have been a treat.

I’m glad Kreider is the extra skater. He can do with some time off.

A line with Miller and both Tkachuks would have been a treat.
- banger94

Kinda wish he wasn’t playing at all, but agreed he can use the time to rest.

That's an awesome picture of team USA. Those 4 guys in the front right would be amazing as Rangers! We're halfway there!

To be helpful:
Schedule Overview:

The tournament begins on February 12, with the following matchups:
• February 12: Canada vs. Sweden
• February 13: United States vs. Finland

The round-robin games continue until February 17, leading up to the championship game on February 20 in Boston.

Broadcast Information:

In the United States, the tournament will be broadcast across multiple networks:
• TNT, truTV, and Max: These channels will air games on February 12 and 17.
• ESPN and ESPN+: They will cover games on February 13 and the championship game on February 20.
• ABC: ABC will broadcast the game on February 15.

For Spanish-language coverage, ESPN Deportes will air games on February 13, 15, and 20.

This tournament doesn't excite me at all. I'll probably watch the USA games but definitely not going out of my way to. Honestly, the NHL continues to destroy their marketing/fans and I wonder if this will finally get Bettman fired

This tournament doesn't excite me at all. I'll probably watch the USA games but definitely not going out of my way to. Honestly, the NHL continues to destroy their marketing/fans and I wonder if this will finally get Bettman fired

I like the play for your country games, alot of players want to play for their country and are proud, it is high end games also. The skill level should be exceptional.

Much better than the All Star game.

To be helpful:
Schedule Overview:

The tournament begins on February 12, with the following matchups:
• February 12: Canada vs. Sweden
• February 13: United States vs. Finland

The round-robin games continue until February 17, leading up to the championship game on February 20 in Boston.

Broadcast Information:

In the United States, the tournament will be broadcast across multiple networks:
• TNT, truTV, and Max: These channels will air games on February 12 and 17.
• ESPN and ESPN+: They will cover games on February 13 and the championship game on February 20.
• ABC: ABC will broadcast the game on February 15.

For Spanish-language coverage, ESPN Deportes will air games on February 13, 15, and 20.
- Greschnergy#4

Thank you for posting.

Thank you for posting.
- airjan23

No problem- here, I left out the starting times:

Wednesday, February 12, 2025:
• Canada vs. Sweden
• Time: 8:00 PM EST
• Location: Bell Centre, Montreal
• Broadcast: TNT

Thursday, February 13, 2025:
• United States vs. Finland
• Time: 8:00 PM EST
• Location: Bell Centre, Montreal
• Broadcast: ESPN

Saturday, February 15, 2025:
• Finland vs. Sweden
• Time: 1:00 PM EST
• Location: Bell Centre, Montreal
• Broadcast: ABC
• United States vs. Canada
• Time: 8:00 PM EST
• Location: Bell Centre, Montreal
• Broadcast: ABC

Monday, February 17, 2025:
• Canada vs. Finland
• Time: 1:00 PM EST
• Location: TD Garden, Boston
• Broadcast: TNT
• Sweden vs. United States
• Time: 8:00 PM EST
• Location: TD Garden, Boston
• Broadcast: TNT

Thursday, February 20, 2025:
• Championship Game
• Time: 8:00 PM EST
• Location: TD Garden, Boston
• Broadcast: ESPN

This tournament doesn't excite me at all. I'll probably watch the USA games but definitely not going out of my way to. Honestly, the NHL continues to destroy their marketing/fans and I wonder if this will finally get Bettman fired
- MeltingPlastic

only 4 nations involved just seems silly to stop the league for 2 weeks over

there's no chance it can replicate the great Canada Cups of the 80's or the World Cup in '96, but they are trying to sell it as that

only 4 nations involved just seems silly to stop the league for 2 weeks over

there's no chance it can replicate the great Canada Cups of the 80's or the World Cup in '96, but they are trying to sell it as that
- jimbro83

If Russia and an all international team (all others) were added- it would be much improved

only 4 nations involved just seems silly to stop the league for 2 weeks over

there's no chance it can replicate the great Canada Cups of the 80's or the World Cup in '96, but they are trying to sell it as that
- jimbro83

I also wonder what types of games we’re going to see. The best players in the world, coming into the stretch run of the regular season need to drop everything and play in this tournament. Will we see playoff type hockey or exhibition type hockey? You know players(s) are going to get hurt, shining a negative light on this whole thing.

This tournament doesn't excite me at all. I'll probably watch the USA games but definitely not going out of my way to. Honestly, the NHL continues to destroy their marketing/fans and I wonder if this will finally get Bettman fired
- MeltingPlastic

I don't have much interest in this either. I wonder when the last time a commissioner in any of the big 4 sports was fired

If Russia and an all international team (all others) were added- it would be much improved
- Greschnergy#4

Totally agree. Its not going to stop me from watching the games since there is no other hockey on.

Totally agree. Its not going to stop me from watching the games since there is no other hockey on.
- tbreinold

oh yeah

Im definitely gonna be watching no matter what

I asked this in a previous blog and got no response:

Does the NHL receive revenue from the proceeds of this tournament? And if the answer is "Yes" : does that possibly raise next years salary cap for all teams?


Also --- thanks Gresch for posting the full tournament schedule like that. Made it easier for everyone to enjoy!

LETS GO USA!

I saw a short video yesterday giving a version (not the correct one, IMO) of the All-time NHL Team Canada roster. Ridiculously impressive.
What have you got for a Team USA, Jim?

My Team Canada, without too much deliberation:

Lemieux/Gretzky/Crosby

Yzerman/McDavid/Mackinnon

Howe/Messier/Lindros

Lafleur/Esposito/Sakic

Reserves - Shanahan/Hawerchuk

Orr-Makar
Borque-Niedermayer
Robinson-Potvin

Reserves: MacInnis/Stevens

Roy/Brodeur

Reserve: Belfour

We have a 3rd line that would get into a competition to see who could knock out the most teeth!! ❤️

It is interesting hearing from you folks South of the border about the lack of buzz for this tournament, and the perceived failure of the league to promote it. Here in Canada I feel adequately hyped and ready to roll. I'm guessing that it's less of a NHL f'd up thing, than just a fact of hockey not being that big of a deal in the US thing.

Of course how seriously this tourney is taken will all come down to how hard the players play and care about it. My assumption is that with the Olympics one year away they'll be trying pretty hard.

I saw a short video yesterday giving a version (not the correct one, IMO) of the All-time NHL Team Canada roster. Ridiculously impressive.
What have you got for a Team USA, Jim?

My Team Canada, without too much deliberation:

Lemieux/Gretzky/Crosby

Yzerman/McDavid/Mackinnon

Howe/Messier/Lindros

Lafleur/Esposito/Sakic

Reserves - Shanahan/Hawerchuk

Orr-Makar
Borque-Niedermayer
Robinson-Potvin

Reserves: MacInnis/Stevens

Roy/Brodeur

Reserve: Belfour

We have a 3rd line that would get into a competition to see who could knock out the most teeth!! ❤️
- Tonybere

This is unbelievable. Go Canada!

It is interesting hearing from you folks South of the border about the lack of buzz for this tournament, and the perceived failure of the league to promote it. Here in Canada I feel adequately hyped and ready to roll. I'm guessing that it's less of a NHL f'd up thing, than just a fact of hockey not being that big of a deal in the US thing.

Of course how seriously this tourney is taken will all come down to how hard the players play and care about it. My assumption is that with the Olympics one year away they'll be trying pretty hard.
- t-dawg

My feeling is 4 teams isn’t enough. They needed Russia for sure and one other team, probably a Czech team. It doesn’t feel legit to me with out them, “best on best” but it’s really not. Some of the best vs some of the best. These Russian players deserve to play imo, like Pasta/kucherov/ovie. How can you have this thing without Ovechkin? I mean he’s the best goal scorer of all time soon lol

Idk I guess maybe it’ll change once the games start but I miss NHL hockey already.

https://www.instagram.com...igsh=MWR1MjVnbm1idjQwcA==

I saw a short video yesterday giving a version (not the correct one, IMO) of the All-time NHL Team Canada roster. Ridiculously impressive.
What have you got for a Team USA, Jim?

My Team Canada, without too much deliberation:

Lemieux/Gretzky/Crosby

Yzerman/McDavid/Mackinnon

Howe/Messier/Lindros

Lafleur/Esposito/Sakic

Reserves - Shanahan/Hawerchuk

Orr-Makar
Borque-Niedermayer
Robinson-Potvin

Reserves: MacInnis/Stevens

Roy/Brodeur

Reserve: Belfour

We have a 3rd line that would get into a competition to see who could knock out the most teeth!! ❤️
- Tonybere

My Rangers fan bias coming through maybe, but tough to see Mark Messier on a third line. Makes me gag, even with the greatness of the players listed above him. Also, are we ready to call the Makar the second best Canadian defender?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFwO4RjgE0q/?igsh=MWR1MjVnbm1idjQwcA==
- Rangers99

Thay also did the "hockey sock rock" video Also quite cringy

My Rangers fan bias coming through maybe, but tough to see Mark Messier on a third line. Makes me gag, even with the greatness of the players listed above him. Also, are we ready to call the Makar the second best Canadian defender?
- Greschnergy#4

Lol, that is why i qualified the post with "without too much deliberation!" I could happily spend the entire day making up that list, but just wanted to spark a new conversation.
Messier is my favourite player of all time. But, that is a "checking line" for the ages. Every shift they could send someone off on a stretcher!!
As for Makar, it was mostly about the comparisons that people make between the two of them. That pairing could control the game to the extent that rules would need to be changed to make it fair.