When the players for Team USA are announced next week for the 4 Nations Face-Off, there will automatically be a bunch of deserving players left off.
Not intentionally. It’s just that the U.S. pool of NHL players is that deep and that impressive.
Here is a projection of who could be on Team USA for the 4 Nations Face-Off that will be played from Feb. 12-20 in Montreal and Boston (listed alphabetically, *-originally named to the team):
Forwards
Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild
Cole Caufield, Montreal Canadiens
Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets
Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights*
Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning
Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
Clayton Keller, Utah Hockey Club
Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs*
Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars
Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres
Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators
Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers*
Analysis: There’s plenty to like and some caveats. There’s strength down the middle and scoring throughout the group. Matthews is both a three-time goal-scoring leader and a Selke Trophy finalist. It will be fun having the gritty Tkachuk brothers and high-scoring Hughes brothers on the team. The caveats: Matthews and Thompson have missed time with injury, though they should be fine by February. Matthew Tkachuk’s and Robertson’s scoring numbers are off. Vancouver’s J.T. Miller would be a good addition, but he has taken a leave of absence.
Other options: Miller; Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks; Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers; Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres.
Defensemen
Brock Faber, Minnesota Wild
Adam Fox, New York Rangers*
Noah Hanifin, Vegas Golden Knights
Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks*
Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins*
Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes
Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
Analysis: A strong blue line. Hughes and Fox are former Norris Trophy winners. Faber was runner-up for rookie of the year and Werenski had a recent five-point game. Hanifin and Slavin are solid two-way players and McAvoy, though his numbers are down, can drive offense. There are four left-handed shots to three righties, so there are opportunities to mix and match.
Other options: John Carlson, Washington Capitals; Neal Pionk, Winnipeg Jets.
Goaltenders
Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars
Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins
Analysis: Team USA will have the strongest goaltending of the tournament. Hellebuyck is a two-time Vezina Trophy winner and an early favorite for the award this season as the Jets have had their best start to a season. Oettinger took the Stars to the Western Conference final the past two seasons and is off to a strong start this season. Swayman has struggled at times this season after missing training during a contract dispute. But he had a .933 save percentage during the 2024 playoffs. Vancouver’s Thatcher Demko would be in the mix if he weren’t hurt.
Other options: Joey Daccord, Seattle Kraken; Anthony Stolarz, Toronto Maple Leafs; Demko.
4 Nations Face-Off schedule
(Times p.m. ET)
Wednesday, Feb. 12: Canada vs. Sweden at Montreal, 8, TNT
Thursday, Feb. 13: USA vs. Finland at Montreal, 8, ESPN
Saturday, Feb. 15: Finland vs. Sweden at Montreal, 1, ABC
Saturday, Feb. 15: USA vs. Canada at Montreal, 8, ABC
Monday, Feb. 17: Canada vs. Finland at Boston, 1, TNT
Monday, Feb. 17: Sweden vs. USA at Boston, 8, TNT
Thursday, Feb. 20: Championship game at Boston, 8, ESPN
