Auston Matthews admires Jack Hughes' game & Sidney Crosby is confident that 4 Nations will be successful

The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament will start tonight with Team Sweden taking on Team Canada. The Bell Center (Montreal) and TD Garden (Boston) will serve as venues for the big event. There's definitely a lot of excitement surrounding the best-on-best tournament. It's a good way to engage fans before next year's Winter Olympics in Italy. Obviously, with a new product, some people have rightfully expressed their concerns for more reasons than one. Pucks and Pitchforks spoke with Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby on how 4 Nations can help grow the sport. Crosby felt optimistic about the product and its capabilities.

"It's been a while since we've been able to play best-on-best international hockey. If you look at the rosters, I think there's a lot to get excited about. [For example] the matchups, best-on-best, and everybody competing against one another. Internationally, for people that are hockey fans, that's what you love to see. I think for that reason alone, it will add to it. "

Sidney Crosby, Canada captain

Auston Matthews spoke fondly of Jack Hughes

Even though people might pick Team Canada to win the tournament, due to them having players like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, Team USA will certainly give them a run for their money, especially since they have the best goalie on their roster in Connor Hellebuyck. He's the reigning Vezina Trophy winner and is the clear-cut favorite to win it again this year.

One player who is certainly going to make things more entertaining is New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes. It's a shame that his older brother Quinn will no longer be participating due to injury. However, Jack should have no trouble displaying his skill set. He currently leads the Devils in points (65) at the break. Pucks and Pitchforks also spoke with Team USA captain Auston Matthews about Hughes. Matthews praised Hughes' game and development.

"Jack's a special player and very dynamic. We have a lot of skill, talent, and depth [on the roster]. He's a guy that's obviously a superstar in this league. He's dangerous any time he's out there...it's not always fun playing against these guys on any given night. So, it's going to be pretty cool to be playing on the same team."

Auston Matthews, USA captain

Hughes' admiration and respect toward Matthews is reciprocal. Back in December, Hughes said that he'd be willing to play wing in order to be on the same line as him. Matthews is arguably one of the best hockey players of this generation. He is a three-time Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner, has participated in multiple all-star games, and won the Hart Trophy in 2022. His words do carry weight and the fact that he classified Hughes as a "superstar player" should definitely have Devils fans excited for the future.