Context: The 4 Nations Face-Off may not replace the All-Star Game every year, but league officials do hope it's a first step in solving another problem for hockey: adopting a world championship tournament that consistently features the best men's players.

The NHL is hitting pause on the 2024-25 regular season, but it's not for an All-Star break — it's for the 4 Nations Face-Off. The USA, Canada, Sweden and Finland are bringing 23 players from the NHL to a week-long competition starting in Montreal and ending in Boston.