"That's a shame": NHL analyst issues brutally honest take on 'flawed and invalidated' 4 Nation Face-Off

Some of the top stars in the National Hockey League are going to be coming together next month for the 4 Nation Face-Off, which will feature talent from Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland.

Rather than the annual All-Star game, the NHL is instead allowing the top players from the four nations to represent their homelands in the upcoming tournament for national pride.

But one notable absence from the tournament is Russia. Given the current political landscape and the ongoing Russian conflict in Ukraine, it's followed the trend that also saw Russia prohibited from participating in the recent World Junior Championships.

Josh Yohe, who covers the Pittsburgh Penguins (and Russian star Evgeni Malkin) for The Athletic, feels the tournament is now flawed thanks to Russia's absence, and that several top Russian talents are being denied the chance to participate due to a situation that they have no control over.

"The whole tournament is flawed and invalidated because Russia isn’t involved. I’ll still watch. I’m a hockey snob if ever there’s been one. It will provide great hockey, so I’m in. I realize what’s going on in the world. I get it. But to keep Russia out is madness to me. If Russians can’t participate in the Olympics next year, it will rob Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin of playing for their country one last time. That’s a shame, in my opinion.

"At least five of the best goaltenders in the world are Russian. Many of the best players are Russian. If Russia can’t compete in these tournaments, it’s not a battle of the best. So, what are we doing here? I don’t like it."

The 4 Nations Face-Off runs from February 12 through February 20.

Russia was recently barred from participation in IIHF events

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the IIHF announced that Russia was going to be prohibited from participating in any event until further notice.

“The IIHF is not a political entity and cannot influence the decisions being taken over the war in Ukraine,” said IIHF President Luc Tardif. “We nevertheless have a duty of care to all of our members and participants and must therefore do all we can to ensure that we are able to operate our events in a safe environment for all teams taking part in the IIHF World Championship program.”

Former NHL goaltender Dominik Hasek has even taken things a step further, declaring that the League should prohibit Russians from participating until the conflict in Ukraine ends.