Ѱո鷡—Auston Matthews and William Nylander had a little fun with each other when they appeared in a ,ǻܳ by the Maple Leafs, for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
They balanced dice on a tongue depressor (Nylander won), blew up balloons enough to blow paper cups off a table (Matthews won) and answered trivia questions about each other.
“As a kid, I loved watching the behind-the-scenes stuff,” said Matthews. “You look at other sports leagues, they do a lot of stuff like that. You get a sense of different athletes’ personalities, what they’re like outside their sport. That’s a step hockey’s taking in the right direction.
Getting into the spirit: Matty 🇺🇸 🆚 Willy 🇸🇪
— pc28Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs)
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William Nylander’s true colours
Nylander said he feels just as proud wearing Swedish blue and yellow as he does in Leafs blue and white: “What an honour it is to play for your country, and I mean the Leafs, just proud to represent them and put your best foot forward.”
Gary Bettman’s future
Before Wednesday night’s tournament opener, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he isn’t ready to retire: “Why do I get that question? Am I looking elderly or something? Maybe I am. I love what I do. I don’t have any plans immediately, or even that I’ve focused on for the foreseeable future, to do anything else. At some point, nobody can do what they do forever. Yes, I am 72 and I can’t do this forever, but I’m going to do it for as long as I have the energy and the passion and the owners, of course, are still pleased with the job (we’re doing).”
The return of hockey’s World Cup is likely to be an eight-country tournament in February 2028.
The return of hockey’s World Cup is likely to be an eight-country tournament in February 2028.
Money isn’t everything
Beyond the shot at a trophy and national pride, players in the 4 Nations Face-Off get an appearance fee. There is also a prize pool for the winning team, to be determined by tournament revenue.
“I think the numbers are very reasonable, and it really tells you how much the players want to participate in this tournament,” said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly. “This is for love of country much more than it is for money, because what they get in terms of an appearance fee and a prize fee pales in comparison to what a normal NHL player gets. And giving up vacation time to do this tells you how much they love the competition.”
Hedman vs. Cooper
Swedish captain Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning has been joking he’s one up on Canada/Tampa coach Jon Cooper when it comes to international play. With Hedman in 2017, Sweden beat a Canadian team coached by Cooper for the world championship.
“I’ve got a perfect record,” said Hedman. “Every time I walk into his office (in Tampa) he’s got the silver medal sitting right there. I got the gold at home.”
There will be a lot superstars getting to know how to play with each other when NHL foes become Team Canada friends for the 4 Nations Face-Off
There will be a lot superstars getting to know how to play with each other when NHL foes become Team Canada friends for the 4 Nations Face-Off
Swedes move in
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Swedes took over the Montreal Canadiens dressing room, home to photos and other tributes to retired legends.
“It’s big. Almost got lost here when I first walked in,” Hedman said.
Said Swedish defenceman Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins: “It’s the first time I’ve seen it ... I’ve been walking around and looking at the pictures and players who’ve been here.”
Taking one for the team
New York Rangers power forward Chris Kreider said he won’t make a fuss if the United States team makes him a healthy scratch against Finland on Thursday: “I’m ready to do whatever it takes to help the team. The amount of talent that this roster has, that every roster has, is incredible. It’s an incredible honour to be here. Whatever they need me to do, just be ready. Taking in all the information and being ready if your number is called.”
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