Instead of an NHL All-Star Game, top stars from four nations will face off for a midseason international tournament starting Wednesday in Boston and Montreal. Why it matters: The 4 Nations Face-Off is meant to herald the NHL's return to the Winter Olympics — but,

For 2025, however, the NHL is doing something a bit different. The All-Star Game is taking a back seat to the 4 Nations Face-Off.

For years, the major sports leagues have helplessly flailed at different ways to try to fix their own respective All-Star Game amidst sagging interest both from players and fans. But the NHL has pulled an absolute masterstroke in finally getting rid of it all together and debuting the 4 Nations Face-Off over what was its Read