NHL Players Reportedly Prioritizing Four Nations: Will Miss Time With Their Teams

Over the past two weeks, the Four Nations Face Off has taken NHL fans and the sports world by storm, and while it's been great for viewership, it's certainly been very tough on the players.

We've already seen both Shea Theodore and Charlie McAvoy leave the tournament injured, while several other players are battling through things ahead of the Finale on Thursday night, with play set to resume in the NHL over the weekend.

Now, according to Elliotte Friedman, some of the players involved in the Canada vs. USA Championship Game are telling their teams that after the tournament when they return, they may need some time off.

During the conversation with Nick Kypreos, he mentions Brady Tkachuk by name as a player to keep an eye on, as both he and his brother Matthew have been banged up at this tournament, with the possibility of missing a game or two for their teams upon the conclusion of the Four Nations.

It's unclear who else would be on the list of names that Friedman is suggesting, but with the likes of Auston Matthews also dealing with some niggling injuries, we may see many players missing action as the NHL returns over the weekend.

Ultimately though, fans have become accustomed to NHL players battling through injuries and ailments to get back on the ice for their teams, and with the Senators, Maple Leafs and other teams all battling for spots in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, if players do miss time, don't expect them to be very lengthy absences.