Nathan MacKinnon just proved he’s the best hockey player on the planet right now.
The Colorado Avalanche superstar dominated the 4 Nations tournament, leading all scorers and taking home MVP honors. His championship-winning goal showcased exactly why he’s been unstoppable this season.
Back in the NHL, MacKinnon’s been on another level entirely. He’s racked up 87 points in just 57 games, sitting at the top of the league’s scoring race.
The tournament’s final between Canada and the U.S. lived up to the massive hype, delivering one of the most intense international hockey games we’ve seen in years.
These aren’t just friendly matches anymore. With American players now making up 41% of the NHL compared to Canada’s 29%, there’s a real shift happening in hockey’s balance of power.
The stats tell the story of just how close these teams have become. Canada put up 27 shots and 25 hits. The U.S. answered with 33 shots and 28 hits. Both teams won exactly 32 faceoffs.
“This shows how far U.S. hockey has come,” said one NHL scout. “The gap is basically gone.”
But the real excitement? This is just a preview of what’s coming in 2026.
That’s when NHL players will finally return to the Olympics for the first time since 2014. If players were this fired up for the 4 Nations tournament, imagine what they’ll bring when Olympic gold is on the line.
The talent pool will be incredible. Beyond MacKinnon and the North American stars, you’ll have Germany’s Leon Draisaitl, Czech Republic’s David Pastrnak, and Russia’s Nikita Kucherov joining the mix.
It’s shaping up to be the most talented international hockey tournament we’ve ever seen.
