The NHL and NHLPA are set to host the 4 Nations Face-Off from February 12 to February 20, 2024, filling the gap left by the absence of an All-Star Game this season.

This tournament will feature a round-robin format with four national teams: Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the USA, all comprised of NHL players.

The decision to limit participation to these four nations was made for practical reasons, focusing on the availability of NHL players for roster selection.

Initial rosters for each nation were announced in June, showcasing stars like Connor McDavid for Canada and Auston Matthews for the USA, with full rosters to be revealed on December 4, 2023.

Players have expressed excitement about the opportunity to represent their countries and compete against top talent in this prestigious tournament.

Games will take place at the Bell Centre in Montreal and TD Garden in Boston, featuring key matchups such as Canada vs. Sweden and USA vs. Finland.

However, some players, like Czechia's David Pastrnak, have voiced disappointment over the exclusion of their nations from the tournament.

Notably, Germany is excluded due to insufficient NHL representation, while Russia is not participating amid ongoing geopolitical issues.

The last best-on-best international tournament featuring NHL players was the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, which included eight teams and was won by Canada.

Each team will play three games, with the top two teams advancing to a winner-take-all final; the point system awards three points for a regulation win and two for an overtime win.

Overtime will consist of a 10-minute, 3-on-3 sudden death format, transitioning to a 5-on-5 format for the final game if necessary.

The winning country will receive a championship trophy, and both finalists are expected to earn medals, with potential profit-sharing arrangements for players.

This tournament is viewed as a precursor to future Olympic participation, as NHL players are set to return to the Olympics in 2026 and 2030 after missing the previous two Games.