The article provides an analysis of the impact of NHL players on the Olympic hockey tournament. Despite the NHL's absence from the international stage for over a decade, this year's men’s tournament highlighted the incredible skills and competitive nature of NHL players, as almost 160 NHL athletes participated. The intensity of the games underscored that the world's best players are predominantly from the NHL, reaffirming its reputation as the pinnacle of professional hockey.

However, the article notes that the quality of play was not uniformly high across all teams in the tournament. While there was significant excitement and drama in the matches, the competitiveness of the teams varied, with some, such as the host Italians and the French, not being able to hold their own against teams from the NHL or even lower-tier leagues like the ECHL. It highlights the disparity in talent levels and raises questions about the effectiveness of international competitions.

The piece concludes by reflecting on how the NHL has elevated the international game, as represented by the presence of NHL and former NHL players in nearly all competing teams. This integration of top talent demonstrates the need for increasingly competitive formats and perhaps continuous improvement in global hockey standards. As attention shifts back to the NHL, the article implies that there is much to anticipate in the league's return after the Olympic distraction.