NHL insider reveals shocking drama surrounding player snubbed from four-nations roster
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed today that one player in the league has been permanently excluded from their national team.
Earlier this week, the four rosters for the four-nations tournament were revealed.
Players like Nathan Mackinnon and Connor McDavid lead team Canada while Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel lead the Americans.
Victor Hedman is a highlight for team Sweden while Sebastian Aho will captain Finland.
However, it sounds as though one player who was left off his country's roster was so bitter about it that he got himself in trouble.
According to Elliotte Friedman, one player reacted so poorly to the news that he didn't make the team that he was barred from ever representing his country in international play again.
"I heard there was one player that, when he was told he didn't make the team, reacted so negatively that the team decided they won't even bring them as an injury replacement if it gets to that. I was, like, wow. That's pretty serious stuff."
The insider sympathized with the player, but he would not reveal his identity or which country he would have been playing for.
He also added that the punishment seemed a bit harsh as this was likely a very good player.
"Like, they were shocked at how, or, I don't know if shocked, they were disappointed at how negatively the player reacted. That's a tough one for me. I don't know exactly what was said... I don't know if they considered it open disrespect or whatever it was, but I don't think I would cross that line."
According to Dom Luszczyszyn's model with the Athletic, the tournament is the American's to lose.
They have the best odds of beating each team, with Canada in a clear second spot.
According to the model at least, team USA is an eight-point favorite to beat Canada, and are heavy favorites over both Sweden and Finland.
Finland is the clear underdog, but they often punch above their weight class in international tournaments, so don't count them out just yet.
MUST READ
TRENDING NOW
