Red Wings informal ambassador Henrik Zetterberg was asked by Expressen’s Vendela Ohgren to weigh in regarding the Four Nations Face-Off, and here’s what he had to say:
“I feel sorry for the Russian players”
Russia continues to be shut out from the World Championship
Henrik Zetterberg feels for the players.
“I feel sorry for the Russian players who have the right intentions,” he says.
The Tre Kronor are getting reayd for the Four Nations Face-Off. Sweden, Finland, Canada and the United States are going to play a mini-tournament.
The best NHL players are pitted against each other.
“Sweden has a good team, and they have leading roles in their teams. I know that when you come to the national team at those tournaments, it will be an incredibly lovely cohesion and it will be a fun break from the normal NHL grind,” says Henrik Zetterberg.
The 44-year-old hockey icon thinks it will be a tight tournament.
“I think Sweden will play well. There will be small margins between those who win and those who come in last. Any team can beat any other team. But I have a gut feeling that Sweden will do well.”
Russia shut out again
Four Nations will also be a warm-up for the World Championship on home soil in May.
But there, Russia will not be welcome. Since the war in Ukraine is taking place, the Russian national team has been shut out of hockey’s best room.
This week, the International Hockey Federation announced that Russia was being suspended for another season.
“I feel sorry for the players and the athletes who are not allowed to participate. But it’s a decision taken over our heads,” said Henrik Zetterberg.
The World Championship in Switzerland will be the fifth straight year Russia is suspended.
“It’s extremely sad what’s going on around the world, and that’s part of it unfortunately. But I feel sorry for the Russian players who have the right intentions,” says “Zäta.”
