Connor Bedard nails it with 4 Nations Face-Off quip

The media has not been Connor Bedard’s best friend lately. Some of that is on Bedard and his lack of substantial improvement from Year 1 to Year 2. At the same time, it would be tough for anyone to play solid hockey all season in the environment the Blackhawks have put him in. 

But when it comes to what Bedard said about the 4 Nations Face-Off, the media should give him an A++, because his take should be similar to what we’re all thinking. If you haven’t seen it yet, feel free to take a look, courtesy of a piece from Jordan Sigler of Chi City Sports via the X post from WGN's Charlie Roumeliotis.

“It’s been unreal. It’s probably been the highest level of hockey ever played. I mean, that Canada game, first 10 seconds there’s 3 fights. I think people were wondering how it would be and it’s been unbelievable to watch. It’s great for the game, and obviously playing for your country shows a lot of pride. It’s been fun to watch.”

Could that be any more accurate? Has the 4 Nations not lived to expectations? Hey, my only gripe is that we couldn’t have a Team Europe and Team North America (US/Canadian players 24 and under or a similar variation) and called it like a Midseason Clash or something. But the event has lived up to the hype. 

Connor Bedard gets it right about the 4 Nations Face-Off

Yeah, All-Star Weekend has its moments, but overall, the players are clearly giving it about 60 percent of their overall effort. The skills challenge is mainly theatrics, the uniforms are often migraine-inducers, and I mainly feel like I’m watching pickup hockey games. 

That hasn’t been the case with the 4 Nations, and when you compare it to the NBA All-Star Game or the Pro Bowl, there’s no comparison. I didn’t even know the NBA All-Star Game occurred until I saw a few photos of one of my favorite singers meeting, chatting, and taking pictures with a few players. 

Meanwhile, does anyone even invest an iota of time in watching the Pro Bowl Games, I think they’re called? As for the MLB All-Star Game, it’s been the closest thing we’ve had to an actual competition lately. That’s until the 4 Nations showed up. 

The NHL should host the 4 Nations (or something similar) more often

Hosting a tournament like this all the time wouldn’t be a great idea, as it’d grow stale. But wow, talk about raising the stakes at midseason, and it’s something other sports leagues wouldn’t dare to try. Still, when you have non-hockey fans tuning in, you know you’re onto something, and it’s been a great way to give the league more exposure. 

Growing up, the NHL was a distant fourth in the minds of many of my peers when you talked about the four major North American pro sports leagues. It wasn’t even on the radar for most of my friends before the Pittsburgh Penguins (I grew up in the area) started winning Stanley Cups again in the late 2000s and mid-2010s. 

These days, that’s not exactly the case as they’re still talking hockey in the area, despite the Penguins struggling through a down season. Just as fans in Chicago are still talking about the Blackhawks and Connor Bedard amidst a tough campaign. 

Anyway, the intensity, atmosphere, and everything, has been a major win for the NHL and professional hockey. So, let’s hope we see the 4 Nations again when the NHL isn’t at the Olympics and maybe after another awesome but every bit as entertaining midseason event.