NHL: A Big Miss in the Four Nations Net

As the NHL rolls out its inaugural Four Nations Face Off format next week, many of the game’s stars, young and old, are ready to show the world their skills and pride for their home nations. The four countries being represented are the USA, Canada, Finland, and Sweden. Many have arguments for any of the four to end up on top. I know your first question may be about the exclusion of Russia. That’s a discussion for another time and place. Instead, we are going to focus on what could be the biggest miss by not only Team USA but Canada as well.

Each team was allotted three netminders to their rosters. Team USA, of course, has a clear-cut advantage with an amazing one-two punch of Connor Hellebuyck & Jake Oettinger. I mean, look at their stats this season alone:

No hockey fan or casual can make an argument against these two. My gripe instead comes with the third spot in the net. Team USA went with the “big name” Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins, which to me is very interesting considering his play lacks this great recognition. Now, you might say, Well, maybe he was the next best American goalie...did you ever think about that?

Thank you for asking, because I did. There just might be someone out west in Seattle with something to say. That is Joey Daccord, who, yes, as a Kraken fan, I can say may be overlooked due to our overall record. Here’s the thing, though...without Daccord, you may be seeing the Kraken with potentially one of the worst seasons in recent history.

Let’s go ahead and take a look at Daccord and Swayman head-to-head:

Daccord is much better in his numbers across the board, with much less firepower to back him up, too. Yet, they are tied in overall wins, with Joey in another atmosphere in goals against and save percentage. Swayman’s lone lead is shutouts, which, to me, shows that with three shutties and much worse overall numbers, he has some bad games to explain.

Daccord earned this spot, plain and simple. And before you start with the Well, last year Swayman blah blah blah, do you forget who has the only shutout in Winter Classic history? Oh yeah...Daccord, last year, when he had an overall 91% save percentage and 2.46 goals against on the season. Joey Daccord got hosed, end of story.

Now, the story gets even deeper, as many questions have circulated around the hockey world about what Team Canada will do in goal...will that be their eventual downfall in the Four Nations? Do you happen to know there’s a goalie with dual citizenship that didn’t get picked up by his home country?? Yeah, you guessed it… Joey Daccord.

Wait, so do Daccord’s stats hold up against Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, & Sam Montembeault, the Canadian goalies?

Well let’s take a look below:

Huh, would you look at that? It seems Daccord is also outplaying all three of the Canadian goalies. So again, this begs the question… What am I missing here?

Think of the storylines that could come from Daccord—started on a college "club" hockey team, then takes them to the NCAA tournament his senior year for the first time, a 7th-round pick, put up in the expansion draft, battles a Stanley Cup-winning goalie to take over the job and become the franchise goalie. All leading to a nod as the Team USA… or… Canada goalie. Whew, a story for the ages, but all gone in favor of four dudes underperforming with better teams, I might add (as a Kraken fan, twisting the knife a bit on myself).

Four Nations missed out on Joey Daccord. I don't expect the same for the Olympics in 2026. Keep an eye on Daccord, and if you listen close enough, you'll hear the chants of JOEY, JOEY, JOEY! from Climate Pledge Arena.

Bet Recap: L, again, we are offcially in panic mode. A reader has sent for help today, included in a couple of NBA bets we have a reader submission to hopefully turn this thing around.

02-05 Bet of the Day:

Reader Submissions: STRAIGHT NO PARLAY( as instructed)

Anthony Edwards OVER Pts 30.5 -110

Zach Lavine OVER Pts + Asts 24.5 -110

My Plays of the Day

Cade Cunningham UNDER Asts 9.5 -120

Devin Booker OVER Pts 26.5 -110

IF you parlay: +250

Also Don't Hate but currently self-suspended from CBB plays of the day:

Oregon +9.5

Missouri-Tennessee OVER 134