David Pastrnak plans to boycott NHL's next major event and he's likely not the only one
In February 2025, the National Hockey League's players will be participating in a best-on-best international tournament for the first time since 2016 and while it's an exciting time for fans, some players feel left out.
Because the tournament is being held mid-season and time is limited, only four teams will be participating in the Four Nations Face-off - Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States. This means some of the league's biggest stars won't be involved including Germany's Leon Draisaitl and Czechia's David Pastrnak.
In a recent interview, Pastrnak said that he plans to boycott the NHL/NHLPA event and won't be watching any of the tournament.
He added, "But Czech isn't there. So it's always a lot of players left out, so I'm not gonna watch the tournament, to be honest. So just happy that the Olympics got accepted. Yeah, (it) definitely stings a little bit."
Pastrnak hasn't played for his nation, Czechia, since the 2022 IIHF World Hockey Championship and missing out on another best-on-best tournament is disappointing for him, but he's pretty happy that the NHL will be returning to the Olympics in 2026 and 2030.
There's no doubt that Pastrnak will play a huge role for Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy as they'll look to win their first Olympic hockey medal since 2006.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 6 | 473 ANSWERS David Pastrnak plans to boycott NHL's next major event and he's likely not the only one Who will win the Four Nations Face-off? | ||
| Canada | 287 | 60.7 % |
| Finland | 12 | 2.5 % |
| Sweden | 33 | 7 % |
| United States | 141 | 29.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
![Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) skates with the puck during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530316.webp "Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) skates with the puck during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530162.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
