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'Ottawa Has To Be In A Position To Be A Buyer': Why Keith Tkachuk Believes The Senators Must Add
The Ottawa Senators are in the mix to land a playoff spot this season. The father of captain Brady Tkachuk, former star Keith Tkachuk, said they should buy at the NHL trade deadline.
As the Ottawa Senators gear up for a push toward the Stanley Cup playoffs, there’s debate among fans as to whether the wild-card team should be a buyer before the March 7 NHL trade deadline. But if it were up to Keith Tkachuk, the choice would be clear.
“They’re in the (playoff) mix,” Tkachuk told the Missin Curfew podcast around the 26-minute mark. “I think Ottawa has to be in a position to be a buyer, to help these guys out, to get them some more help. And that’s what I expect from them. And I expect them to be in the playoffs.”
Tkachuk is speaking as a hockey dad. His son, Brady, is the Senators' captain. But he is also speaking for all Ottawa fans.
The last time the Senators were in the playoffs was in 2016-17. Only the Sabres (13 years) and Red Wings (eight years) have endured longer droughts. In other words, hanging onto their first-round pick does not make sense for a team that has spent seven years without a playoff game.
Even if they did want to keep this year’s first-round pick, the fact that the Senators are in the mix for a playoff spot means that the pick will be outside the top 10 — certainly not the area in which you’re likely to find a difference-maker. So it’s time for the Sens to spend some of that draft capital on a player who can have an impact right away this season. And that impact is on the offensive, not defensive end.
While Ottawa is ranked 10th in the NHL in goals-against average (2.77 per game), the team is 21st in goals per game (2.80).
The Senators need help scoring. And the good news is that there are veterans out there who can help in that regard. Whether it’s Pittsburgh’s Rickard Rakell, the New York Islanders’ Brock Nelson, the Blackhawks' Ryan Donato, Montreal’s Jake Evans, or Anaheim’s Ryan Strome, there’s a good deal of experienced talent on the trade block.
Adding any of those players could come at a significant cost, and the Senators need to clear cap space to make any of those moves. They only have about $105,000 in cap space, but they do have their first-rounder this year and three third-rounders in the next three seasons.
But if Ottawa doesn't grab one of those options, you have to figure that Columbus, Boston or Detroit, which are all battling for the final wild-card spots, will.
As Keith Tkachuk said, the expectation is that Ottawa should be a playoff team. With that in mind, the expectation is that the team needs to go all-in to ensure it happens.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Needs A Massive Game For USA In 4 Nations Final
Team USA captain Auston Matthews has had a quiet 4 Nations Face-Off so far. In the 4 Nations Face-Off final, Matthews faces an important career signpost.
Three of the Toronto Maple Leafs' Core Four played in the 4 Nations Face-Off, with two of them facing off in the final.
Sweden’s William Nylander is done and back in Toronto. The other two – Team Canada right winger Mitch Marner and Team USA center Auston Matthews – will face off against each other in the 4 Nations final on Thursday.
That said, Matthews and Marner have hardly been leviathan forces throughout the tournament.
Marner did have the overtime-winner for Canada against Sweden, but he’s been held off the scoresheet in his other two games. The more significant disappointment has been Matthews, who hasn’t done much of anything important in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Considering this is a star performer and the captain of the American team, Matthews’ performance – zero goals and one assist in two games – has been very underwhelming. With the U.S. team set to face the Canadians in the championship final, nobody needs a bigger game more than Matthews.
We’re not a Matthews hater by any stretch. In our estimation, he is a needle-mover who is the best player to ever suit up for the Leafs. He's earned some praise for his defensive game in this tournament as well.
But Matthews’ history in the Stanley Cup playoffs doesn’t scream out “elite.” He’s been more or less a point-per-game player in the post-season, with 48 points in 55 career playoff games. But we all know about Toronto’s playoff struggles, and Matthews has to own his role in that failure.
This is why we've needed to see more from Matthews in these high-stakes games. The American team’s braintrust kept Matthews out of the lineup for their final round-robin game against Sweden on Monday due to upper-body soreness. But if he doesn't get a point and make an impact in the final, legitimate criticisms will follow him until the playoffs. The same goes for Marner.
When the 4 Nations Face-Off ends, Marner or Matthews will celebrate. Regarding which Leafs star needs a win more, it’s clearly Matthews. Marner is an important component of Canada’s attack, but Canadian superstars Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid are the leaders on offense. Matthews is central to the U.S. team’s chances of winning the tournament. And when you have Matthews' profile, you have to live up to the heightened expectations that accompany it.
Wayne Gretzky once spoke about understanding the key to being a legend: You have to win in crucial moments of your career to be considered an all-time great. If you don’t, your legacy will be tainted with defeat.
America does have terrific depth on offense and throughout the lineup. But Matthews was given the captaincy for a reason: he’s their key competitor and is considered by most to be the greatest goal-scorer of his generation.
There’s still time for Matthews to change the narrative about himself. All he has to do is rifle a puck or two past Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington in important moments on Thursday night.
It’s really that simple, and Matthews’ play on Thursday night will be another important signpost in his career. He can author a terrific chapter in his career with a win, or he can have the critics author it.
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Ranking Canada, Finland, Sweden And USA's Quarter-Century NHL Teams
The 4 Nations Face-Off's four teams have rich histories in the past 25 years, and it's a great time to rank the four countries' all-time best players in the quarter-century lineups.
To capitalize on the hype surrounding the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NHL has released quarter-century teams for each of the participating nations – Canada, the United States, Finland and Sweden.
Let's have some fun and rank the four countries' first-team quarter-century squads from the best onward:
1. Canada
The six players picked as Canada's best in the past 25 years are head and shoulders above the rest of the field.
With forwards Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid, defensemen Drew Doughty and Chris Pronger and goalie Martin Brodeur, the Canadians have a whopping 10 Stanley Cup championships and eight Olympic gold medals to their credit. The only reason they don't have more is because MacKinnon and McDavid haven't had the opportunity to play in the Olympics yet.
Regardless, the Canadian quarter-century first team has combined for 5,061 points, and Pronger and Brodeur are already Hockey Hall of Famers. It wouldn't be surprising if the other four players followed suit.
The rest of the teams have elite talent as well, but none of them can compare to Canada's collection of determined superstars.
2. Sweden
Sweden's first-team quarter-century squad narrowly beat out the Americans because, from our perspective, they've got the best player in the two groups – Red Wings icon Nicklas Lidstrom. He's the closest thing there is to a flawless elite competitor and was an extremely dominant defenseman, winning the Norris Trophy seven times.
The Swedes also have more accomplished players for their national team and in the NHL. Nicklas Backstrom won the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals, and Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Lidstrom and goalie Henrik Lundqvist won Olympic gold in 2006. Erik Karlsson also has three Norris Trophy wins, while he and Backstrom have Olympic silver medals and World Championship wins.
That international prowess puts them over the top for second spot on this list.
3. Team USA
Don't get it twisted – we're not here to run down the United States' quarter-century team. There's plenty of high-end talent here, including forwards Patrick Kane, Auston Matthews and Joe Pavelski, as well as D-men Adam Fox and Quinn Hughes and goaltender Jonathan Quick. Kane and Quick have multiple Cups on their resume, but the rest of the Americans do not. But the main reason they're in third place and not in second is because they're a relatively young bunch.
If we revisit these teams five or 10 years from now, the U.S. may well be at or near the top of these rankings. Matthews, Fox and Hughes, in particular, are likely to be much more accomplished by then. But for now, America's quarter-century team still has to grow and impose their will in NHL playoffs and international games before they can reasonably be the best group on this list.
4. Finland
The plucky Finns have a terrific set of forwards on their quarter-century team, including three Cup champions in Aleksander Barkov, Mikko Rantanen and Teemu Selanne.
Defensemen Sami Salo and Kimmo Timonen were solid NHLers in their day, but they're not in the same caliber as any of the D-men on the Canadian, American and Swedish teams.
In addition, Finnish goalie Pekka Rinne was also a strong goalie, but if you put him up against Quick, Lundqvist or Brodeur, most people would choose one of those three over Rinne. Again, this isn't about tearing down these stars, but rankings require hard lines to be drawn.
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Team USA's Mike Sullivan Shows Why The Penguins Haven't Fired Him Yet
At the 4 Nations Face-Off, Team USA coach Mike Sullivan's decisions show why the Pittsburgh Penguins value him as much as they do despite some down years.
Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan deserves a ton of credit for his work on Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
His success is important to remember in today's NHL, where the coaching carousel spins faster than ever.
With the Penguins missing the playoffs in the last two seasons and heading toward another miss, Sullivan's coaching on a perennial hot seat. It would have been no surprise if the team fired him last summer or after a slump to start 2024-25.
Sullivan's coached the Penguins since December 2015. Only Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper – Team Canada's bench boss at the 4 Nations – has a longer tenure with his NHL team.
Lasting more than a full decade as a coach is a miracle in the NHL nowadays, as all coaches inevitably pass their “best before” date. But Sullivan's success with Team USA shows the Penguins' decision to keep the three-time Cup champion makes more sense.
Sullivan's decisions have helped Team USA clinch a spot in the 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada. A major one was pairing the Tkachuk brothers midway through their first game against Finland. The Americans needed some chemistry and a boost, with the game tied at 1-1. Although Brady Tkachuk already scored the equalizer, he added another goal, while Matthew Tkachuk recorded two goals and an assist following the line change.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5r59CBXwt8[/embed]
The American players also clearly enjoy playing for Sullivan. Star center and U.S. captain Auston Matthews told reporters that playing for Sullivan was great.
"He's very direct, very, very straight to the point," Matthews said of Sullivan. "In a tournament like this, where you only get a couple practices and then you're right into games, the simpler is the better route."
Added defenseman Adam Fox: "He wants to give us kind of a semblance of the structure. But at the same time, it's not being too hands on, and letting us play hockey. (Sullivan has) been great."
Team USA making the final is quite the contrast to the Penguins' outlook.
A team with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson could fail to make the playoffs for three-straight seasons. It's tough to imagine any other coach, other than icon Scotty Bowman, keeping his NHL job after that extended failure if the team isn't rebuilding. But Sullivan is showing that, with the right goaltending and deep squad, he can still guide a team to a championship final.
In a way, Sullivan’s success with the American team shifts the blame for the Penguins’ underachieving to GM Kyle Dubas. Of course, he inherited much of the team from previous management, and there's no way he can assemble a lineup with the amount of talent Team USA has to avoid criticism – the American squad's cap hit is much too massive to fit under the league's salary cap.
However, the Penguins’ decision to commit long-term to goalie Tristan Jarry – who's been to the AHL twice this season while carrying a $5.375-million cap hit for the next three seasons – has made it extremely difficult for Pittsburgh to thrive. That’s entirely on Dubas and not on Sullivan.
Some might say any coach could succeed with the roster the Americans have at the 4 Nations Face-Off. But we don’t believe that’s true. You have to be able to manage top talents with big personalities, and Sullivan has a track record of thriving when faced with that challenge.
Sullivan won’t last forever in Pittsburgh, but his success at the 4 Nations Face-Off is an indication of the deep respect his Penguins players have for him.
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NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off Should Have NBA And Other Leagues Wondering How To Match It
The NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off has high stakes and full effort. The NBA and other leagues should "peek an eye" at it for future all-star events, writes Adam Proteau.
The NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off has been a smashing success thus far, with die-hard and casual hockey fans watching the high-stakes action.
You know the NHL has created something special when those who play, watch or cover other sports leagues ask themselves, "How do we create the passion we've seen at the 4 Nations Face-Off?"
The conversation of an international team contest caught traction during NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 15 and 16.
"Sometimes things just get old and kind of need a facelift," Golden State forward Draymond Green told the Associated Press. "I think what'll be interesting to see is how this 4 Nations thing turns out in hockey. If that turns out great, might have to peek an eye."
One thing's for sure: many people peeked an eye at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Despite going up against the NBA's All-Star Skills Challenge Saturday night, the showdown between Team Canada and Team USA did excellent ratings. It averaged 4.4-million viewers and had a peak number of 5.2-million viewers on ESPN, the network announced. That's the most-viewed telecast for any non-Stanley Cup final game since 2019, said ESPN.
NHL brass must be overjoyed, and other leagues must be more than a little jealous that the NHL figured out how to lure in more consumers than it's accustomed to in mid-season events.
Even athletes, such as San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama and Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, endorsed a U.S. against the world format.
"I would love to. My opinion is that it's more purposeful," Wembanyama told the Associated Press. "There's more pride in it. More stakes."
"I would love that. Oh, I would love that," added Antetokounmpo. "I think that would be the most interesting and most exciting format. I would love that. For sure, I'd take pride in that. I always compete, but I think that will give me a little bit more extra juice to compete."
Even former NFL star J.J. Watt credited the NHL with a great idea in the form of the 4 Nations Face-Off.
"4 Nations is the best idea hockey has had in a long time," Watt said on X.
Time will tell whether the 4 Nations Face-Off returns, but the NHL has something special with this format. It plans to hold the 2028 World Cup of Hockey as a mid-season tournament instead of holding it in September, which was the case in 2016. That's expected to have at least double the number of teams.
Things may change if the geopolitical situation allows Russia to participate in a best-on-best tournament – you'd have to think Russia, Czechia and Germany would be in the World Cup of Hockey – but this international best-on-best format should only improve and help increase the viewership footprint around the globe.
As we said already, the NHL's All-Star Game doesn't have the same effort and excitement as the 4 Nations Face-Off. It even feels like a concept whose time has come and gone. But the NHL likely wants to have a mid-season marquee event every season instead of having a World Cup of Hockey every four years to drive in ratings and revenue. The league now has something to build on with the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Don't kid yourself – other pro sports leagues are in direct competition to capture consumers' hearts, minds and wallets. But suddenly, hockey's top league has a distinct advantage in appealing to fans.
The NHL found something that players, team staff and fans seem to really care about. This tournament's convincing everyone it has high stakes. Perhaps the NBA will take note for next year.
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Sweden's Hopes Of Winning 4 Nations Face-Off Are Dim, But Potential Positives Still Remain
Sweden has had a disappointing 4 Nations Face-Off tournament thus far. But Adam Proteau says the Swedes can still salvage something positive in their remaining games.
As the only team at the 4 Nations Face-Off without a win, Team Sweden and their fans are thoroughly disappointed at the moment.
But the Swedes have been agonizingly close to being unbeaten at the tournament. Although Sweden is currently the worst team in the 4 Nations Face-Off, they can take some solace in knowing that they aren’t that far off from being a top team at a best-on-best tourney down the line.
Saturday's overtime loss to the Finns came after another OT loss to Canada earlier this week. But Sweden coach Sam Hallam made a bold lineup change against Finland that potentially saved their tournament.
After goalie Filip Gustavsson allowed two goals on four shots in the first period, Hallam replaced him with Linus Ullmark. It would’ve been easy for Hallam to stick with Gustavsson and hope he improved, but the stakes were too high to take that risk. You have to respect the coach for making that call, and despite the loss, Ullmark helped the squad get to overtime.
And now, they have to take on the powerhouse American team on Monday. But their fate isn't within their control right away. Sweden needs the Finland and Canada game at 1 p.m. ET to get to overtime for their hopes of reaching the final to stay alive. And then, they need to pull out a regulation win.
Clearly, it will be a tall order for Sweden to emerge as a finalist at the 4 Nations Face-Off. But this tournament is also a precursor for the 2026 Olympic Games, and a solid showing from the Swedes will provide optimism that they can win a gold medal at the Olympics. Remember, Sweden had two Olympic golds in 1994 and 2006, so there’s a history of success on the biggest international hockey stage.
Let’s be realistic – it’s unlikely Sweden even makes it to the 4 Nations Face-Off final, let alone win the tournament. The line between winning and losing is thinner than ever, and two goals in overtime prevented them from being right up there with Team USA.
But Sweden still has some positives already. Lucas Raymond is tied for third in tournament scoring with three assists, including two against Canada to force overtime. Erik Karlsson looks more confident with the puck and is one of only four blueliners with multiple points. And they can still salvage some pride by giving it their all against the Americans and letting the Canada/Finland game play out.
In a short, high-stakes tournament like the 4 Nations Face-Off, you basically need all your ducks to line up in a row to become a champion. That hasn’t happened for Sweden, but that doesn’t mean Swedish fans should be ashamed of their team’s efforts. They have to look for positives where they see them and build their team at the next best-on-best tournament based on what they’ve learned in this one.
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As Many Predicted, Canada's Goaltending At 4 Nations Face-Off Has Been Their Achilles' Heel
Canada got off to a great start against Team USA on Saturday, but Adam Proteau says the Canadian team's biggest weakness – its goaltending – was obvious from the start.
Sometimes, the prognostications of hockey pundits turn out to be bang-on. And from what we’ve seen at the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, some of us were right to pinpoint goaltending as the potential root of disappointment for Team Canada.
In a critical second game of the tourney, the Canadians began the game strongly, taking a 1-0 lead early in the first period. But their momentum was snuffed out five minutes after their goal when American left winger Jake Guentzel scored what any reasonable observer would call a weak goal allowed by Canada goaltender Jordan Binnington. Then, in the second frame, the U.S. generated what would be the game-winning goal on another questionable scoring play that Binnington seemingly should’ve prevented.
All things considered, the Canadians’ netminding was a letdown – and, compared to the stellar play of U.S. star goalie Connor Hellebuyck, you could see why Team Canada fans would be pining for a far better goaltender than Binnington. And the truth is, there was a better goalie available – Washington Capitals netminder Logan Thompson, who wasn’t even on Team Canada’s roster of three goalies. Hindsight is always 20/20, of course, but there’s clearly plenty of room for second-guessing in terms of the goalie choices made by Canadian team GM Don Sweeney.
To be sure, Canada needed more from their offense, which produced only eight shots on net in the first and third periods. They’ll need to do much better than that if they take on the powerhouse American team again. But they need a significantly better performance from either Binnington or Adin Hill. (We’re purposefully not mentioning third-stringer Sam Montembeault, because if Canada does have to turn to him, you can forget about them winning this tournament.) But from our perspective, Team Canada coach Jon Cooper almost assuredly should go with Hill from this point on, as the stakes are too high to give Binnington more chances.
There shouldn’t be any confidence issues if and when Canada moves to a different goalie. The Finnish team has already made a major, successful gamble between the pipes, putting star goalie Juuse Saros on the sidelines after a rough first game and giving the reins to backup Kevin Lankinen in a close win over their arch-rival Swedish team Saturday afternoon.
The Swedes have also changed goalies in the 4 Nations Face-Off, removing Filip Gustavsson after a poor first period in Saturday’s game. And although Gustavsson’s replacement, Linus Ullmark, didn’t wind up winning an important matchup, the choices of the Swedes and Finns demonstrate the importance of good goaltending. If you have it, the way the American team does – and the way that the Finnish team did on Saturday – you’ve got a great shot to win games. And if you don’t have it, the way the Canadians and Swedes didn’t, you’re going to need a herculean effort on offense to bail out your goaltending.
That said, it’s readily apparent that the best defense in the 4 Nations Face-Off is not a good offense. Hellebuyck was this writer’s choice to be the best goalie at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and that prediction is looking pretty solid. But while the Canadian team has skill to spare at forward and on defense, their netminding just doesn’t look good enough to give their offense a chance to win gold at this tournament.
When it comes down to brass tacks, Canada doesn’t have enough depth in possibly the most important area of their roster, and Canadian management’s decision to leave Thompson out of the mix could well prove to be the error that costs them championship glory at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Sometimes, the pundits are correct in their evaluations of rosters, and in this case, we feel like we hit the nail on the head with our analysis of Canada’s Achilles heel. It doesn’t bring any joy to see that we were right on this topic, but it’s obvious what area can and will sink Canada’s championship hopes if things don’t improve in a hurry. Good goaltending matters, and teams that don't have it aren't going to win it all in this showdown of hockey powers.
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NHL Star Mikko Rantanen Showing In 4 Nations Face-Off Why The Hurricanes Must Pay Up
Finland's Mikko Rantanen had a big game on Saturday. But rumors he may be traded again raise eyebrows, and the Hurricanes must pay big-time to hang onto him, writes Adam Proteau.
The 4 Nations Face-Off isn’t quite the same as NHL hockey, but there's an impact players can make that can influence their financial situations.
We’re seeing that with Canada’s Mitch Marner, who scored an overtime-winner against Sweden. But on Saturday in Montreal, in a high-stakes game between Finland and Sweden, we saw Finnish star right winger Mikko Rantanen have himself quite the day, with a goal and an amazing setup for Finland’s game-tying third goal.
It was shocking enough when Rantanen was traded this season, but rumors that he could be dealt again by the NHL’s March 7 trade deadline are verging on preposterous. To be sure, we understand why people are talking about it, as Rantanen remains a looming UFA, and if the Carolina Hurricanes can’t get his signature on a contract extension by the trade deadline, they’ll be risking him walking away for nothing this summer. But from a talent perspective, how are you going to replace the skill, determination and championship pedigree Rantanen brings to the table?
The short answer – you can’t replace it. If that means Rantanen has leverage in contract talks, so be it. But he's proving he's worth every penny of a raise that he's due to get this off-season. The Hurricanes had to know that when they pulled the trigger on the trade for Rantanen, and now, it’s up to ‘Canes GM Eric Tulsky to figure out how to fit him into his team’s salary cap structure. If he can't do that, and Rantanen is essentially a rental this season, that will be a massive failure by Tulsky. If Rantanen was good enough to trade a star like Martin Necas for, he's clearly good enough to be compensated like one.
Rantanen’s terrific combination of talent and grit is what makes him so dangerous. And the gumption it takes to deliver big things when the stakes are at their highest is an intangible that few of his NHL colleagues can boast of. He’s showing that at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and he’s making himself richer with every shift he plays.
Whether it’s for Finland or for Carolina, Rantanen is proving himself worthy of all the praise he gets, and the idea he can be traded twice in his career – let alone twice in the same season – is bordering on insanity. We’re talking about an elite performer who succeeds when the games matter most, and any team he plays for from this point on ought to know better than to ever consider life without him.
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Vancouver Canucks Get Good And Bad News At 4 Nations Based On Play Of Lankinen, Pettersson
The play of Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen and star center Elias Pettersson in Saturday's 4 Nations Face-Off game was cause for excitement and concern.
The Vancouver Canucks have been an up-and-down squad this season.
It should surprise no one that Canucks players Kevin Lankinen and Elias Pettersson are keeping that theme going at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
The good news for the Canucks was the play of goaltender Lankinen on Saturday.
Team Finland called Lankinen into action against Sweden – a bold choice by Finland coach Antti Pennanen to start him over star veteran Juuse Saros after the latter played in Thursday's 6-1 loss to Team USA.
Lankinen responded by being a game-saver.
After Sweden scored three goals in the first two periods, Lankinen stopped seven shots in the third period to help Finland tie the game and two more in overtime to give the Finns the crucial 4-3 victory.
Finland’s hopes of winning the 4 Nations Face-Off are still alive thanks to Lankinen, who deserves to play when his team takes on Canada on Monday in Boston.
Lankinen’s performance has to be heartening to Canucks fans as they focus on Vancouver pushing for a playoff spot. After signing a contract to join the Canucks last September, Lankinen was strong in net for Vancouver while Thatcher Demko recovered from injury.
Goaltending depth is key for any team, and Lankinen’s ability to be a big-time needle-mover should inspire positive feelings among Vancouver supporters, no matter how Demko plays.
The bad news for Canucks fans, however, was the almost-invisible performance of Pettersson.
Pettersson had a decent first period against the Finns, but he was a non-factor in the final two periods. His stats, which show zero points on one shot in just 14:10 of ice time, don't spark much confidence after getting one shot, no points and 16:32 of ice time against Canada last Wednesday.
In an ideal world, Pettersson would’ve been a force for the Swedes. Now, he and the rest of Team Sweden have to hope a lot goes their way to qualify for the tournament final. For Sweden to advance, they need to beat the United States in regulation. They would also need Canada to lose to the USA in regulation and the Canada/Finland game to go to overtime.
It's a disappointing situation for Sweden after two difficult overtime losses. And Pettersson did himself no favors with Canucks fans watching.
Pettersson had so much to gain at this tournament. It was supposed to boost his confidence and show he could produce in important moments with elite teammates by his side. While he's not the only player on Team Sweden who hasn't stood out, it's been more important for Pettersson to be a star on this stage.
The Pettersson trade speculation that was somewhat muted after the Canucks traded star center J.T. Miller may start up again if he doesn't get on a hot streak right away after the tournament. The 26-year-old's no-movement clause kicks in on July 1 for the seven years left in his massive contract. It seems unlikely the Canucks would take the gamble of trading him, but 34 points in 49 games for a center with an $11.6-million cap hit is not enough, and this tournament is supposed to boost his confidence.
All things considered, it will be fascinating to see what Vancouver does regarding Pettersson and Lankinen. The netminder is a pending UFA, so the Canucks must find a way to keep him as an understudy for Demko. But Pettersson should do whatever he can to get on the board against the United States on Monday and recharge for his return to the Canucks, because the team needs players who shine bright in high-stakes situations.
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It's Time The NHL Ends All-Star Games With The Return Of Best-On-Best Hockey
The NHL All-Star Game has existed for a long time, but it has lacked the urgency and passion that the 4 Nations Face-Off has refreshingly brought out of the stars, writes Adam Proteau.
The attention, passion and effort we’re seeing at the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off is pretty refreshing.
There just hasn't been enough of all this at the league's recent All-Star Game weekends.
There was a time when the All-Star Game meant something special, but that doesn't happen much, if at all, anymore. Now that the NHL has found an event that has more connection to fans and players alike, it’s time to move on from a gimmicked game.
When this writer grew up in the late 1970s and early 1980s, you could see why the NHL All-Star Game was a must-see event. There was no satellite TV in those days, so one of the few chances fans got to see players from a different NHL conference was thrilling indeed.
Because there was no NHL participation in Olympic games back then, there were no dream teammates put together anywhere else but the All-Star Game. It was unique and exotic, and it led to achievements, such as Wayne Gretzky scoring four goals in the third period in 1983 to win his first of three career All-Star Game MVP honors.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylb-wXwxvOc[/embed]
However, slowly but surely, the NHL All-Star Game lost its luster. Over time, we became more familiar with every top player in the league. Players changed teams with more frequency, and high-profile events saw dream collaborations, such as Gretzky and Mario Lemieux teaming up to make unforgettable memories in the 1987 Canada Cup. Then, in 1996, the World Cup of Hockey was born, offering fans a different opportunity to see a true best-on-best tournament. And in 1998, the NHL gave the green light to Olympic participation.
Eventually, the event doesn't shine as it used to. While NHL stars have to endure monotonous interviews with reporters and All-Star Games that have no true competitive fire to them, lesser-talented NHL players get to go on vacation for the break and rest their minds and bodies.
That is a much-needed respite, especially when the NHL’s regular-season schedule became rather compressed, and the speed of the sport leads to all sorts of injuries.
It was no wonder then that Tampa Bay Lightning right winger Nikita Kucherov looked like he was having teeth pulled during the skills competition in Toronto in 2024. Other players came to Kucherov’s defense by saying he had no chance of winning his challenge after an early mistake, but it was clear there wasn't much effort.
The All-Star Game also has a distinct lack of physicality. Hockey fans want to see passion and sacrifice from their favorite players, but those players know their primary commitment is to their NHL team, and not at an All-Star Game that doesn’t give them the reward a Stanley Cup victory does. They understandably won't bodycheck or try to block a shot as a result, creating another disconnect between the product the fans want to see and the product they do see.
As we’re seeing this week, having the chance to represent their country at the 4 Nations Face-Off and at the 2028 World Cup of Hockey resonates much more with players than an All-Star Game appearance does. You could see it in the first 4 Nations games this week – there was a drive and urgency to their play.
Putting an end to the All-Star Game doesn’t have to be a bad thing. The NHL's evolving. The league and NHL Players' Association plans to hold a World Cup of Hockey every four years with the Olympics happening in between. There could be international best-on-best hockey every two years as a result.
From that perspective, the league should consider removing the mid-season break in years without international hockey competition. They could spread out the regular season a bit more so that all players can better recover between matches, improving the action even more. When the World Cup or Olympics arrive, the hype will be even greater.
Of course, there is still a case to be made for holding an All-Star Weekend. The Hockey News' Ryan Kennedy said the innovation of the skills competition has been interesting to watch, and it gives players who aren't in international competitions a chance to appear at a marquee event and show off their skills.
With that, the NHL could consider holding a skills competition the day before a World Cup of Hockey, for example. But whatever happens, hockey fans will hope any all-star event comes close to the type of action going on in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Let’s remember the genesis of the All-Star Game when it became an annual tradition beginning in 1947-48. The format at that time – in the Original Six Era – was that the defending Cup champions played against a group of players from the league’s five other teams. But over time, that changed, and no one complained about the evolution. Change was necessary and embraced, and that same attitude ought to be how we look at where the All-Star Game is at today.
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The Boston Bruins' Pros And Cons For Being Buyers, Sellers Or Neither
Should the Boston Bruins buy, sell or stand pat as the NHL trade deadline draws near? Each option has an upside and downside.
The Boston Bruins are in a precarious position in the NHL's Eastern Conference standings.
Right now, the Bruins sit fourth in the wild-card race, just one point behind the Detroit Red Wings for the second wild-card berth and two points behind the Ottawa Senators for the first spot.
After signing Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov last off-season and finally re-signing goaltender Jeremy Swayman before the regular season began, expectations were much higher for the Bruins this season. Winning one playoff round was not enough for them.
The team's failure to meet those expectations so far, even after firing coach Jim Montgomery, has led to some difficult decisions ahead of the NHL trade deadline.
Let's examine the pros and cons of the Bruins doing one of three things: be buyers and upgrade their roster, be sellers and turn the focus to next season, or stand pat for the rest of this season.
Pros Of Bruins Being Buyers
The Bruins are built to win now. However, their struggles this season indicate they need to add talent to maneuver into a playoff spot.
Specifically, Boston needs help on offense, as they’re currently 25th overall in goals-for per game at 2.75. All the teams below the B's in that category are non-playoff teams. Even though David Pastrnak got hot and leads all NHLers in points since Jan. 1, with 31 points in 18 games, the Bruins are still only 11th in goals-for per game in that span. The need for more help on offense is clear.
Being buyers should give the Bruins enough of a shakeup to overtake the teams ahead of them in the wild-card race. Given that Boston is aiming for a long post-season run, adding depth on offense and in their own zone will be exactly what this franchise needs.
Cons of Bruins Being Buyers
If the Bruins buy, they’ll have to give up something important in any trade to outbid others. That means they’ll likely surrender draft picks and prospects in any deal. But in doing so, Boston would be depleting a prospect group that THN.com prospect expert Tony Ferrari used the word “barren” to describe.
That doesn’t bode well for Boston’s long-term chances of success. They’ll be hamstringing their future for what will almost certainly be a short-term fix. That might not be palatable for Boston management or Bruins supporters.
Pros Of Bruins Being Sellers
If the Bruins decide this season is a lost cause, they can sell off some valuable pieces, including center Trent Frederic and right winger Justin Brazeau. Both players are pending UFAs. If Boston GM Don Sweeney really wants to change his team’s core, exploring a deal involving captain Brad Marchand would be an aggressive move to try to achieve that.
They could be legitimate playoff threats as soon as next season by taking a step back now. It may not sit well with Boston fans who want to see the B's challenging for a Stanley Cup every season, but in the big picture, selling off pending free agents right now may be the best road ahead for them.
Cons Of Bruins Being Sellers
The Boston Bruins would all but guarantee their eight-year playoff streak will end if they're sellers. They're not doing enough right now, and trading NHL players for future assets would make it even more difficult to catch up in the playoff race.
Missing the post-season would be a massive step backward for a team that started the campaign fully intending to challenge for the Stanley Cup.
The optics of that strategy won’t be ideal. Boston is a city that’s had tremendous successes in multiple professional sports, so any major failure the Bruins encounter will not sit well with the masses.
Pros Of Bruins Standing Pat
By staying the course and not being buyers or sellers, the Bruins would believe the solution to their struggles has to come from within. That would be a vote of confidence in Boston’s players right now, and perhaps that’s the message the team needs.
Boston also needs assistance on defense, as their 3.18 goals against per game rank 24th in the NHL. But shutdown defenseman Hampus Lindholm hasn't played since Nov. 12 due to injury. Missing a crucial piece of the puzzle doesn't do the rest of the team many favors, and his eventual return will be a huge boost.
They do have some experienced talents in-house who can help them clamp down in their zone. Although goaltender Jeremy Swayman hasn't played well this season with an .898 save percentage and 2.98 goals-against average, he still has time to bounce back and show why he has an $8.25-million cap hit.
Trying to outbid other squads for another shutdown defenseman or for scoring depth on offense could be too costly. Standing pat could ultimately prove to be the right choice for Sweeney.
Cons Of Bruins Standing Pat
The Bruins will likely get the same sub-par results they’ve had for four months this season. If the injury bug takes another bite out of their roster, the results could be even worse.
But if Boston fades from the playoff picture and loses key UFAs in free agency, they'll have nothing to show for it. At least if they acquired a rental player and missed the playoffs, they can try to re-sign that player.
The team's play this season is sinking them into the mushy middle. No team should want to stand in that.
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NHL Trade Deadline: Could A Change Of Scenery Benefit Four Notable Players?
As the NHL's trade deadline approaches, there are many NHLers who could use a deal to a new team. Here are four notable NHLers who fit into that category.
As the NHL's March 7 trade deadline draws near, many players could use a change of scenery.
This isn't to say that the players we'll list below are locks or even likely to be traded by the deadline or that staying on their current squad would hurt them. But there could be benefits for each of them to be traded to a different team, such as increased opportunity and team competitiveness. On to it we go:
John Gibson, G, Anaheim Ducks
Gibson has been long-rumored to be on the trade block, and you can see why. The 31-year-old has a lot of term and dollars left on his current contract, with two more seasons at a salary cap hit of $6.4 million. But after struggling on bad Ducks teams for a long time, Gibson has had a career renaissance with Anaheim this season, posting a 2.69 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in 23 appearances this season – the first time since 2018-19 that Gibson has had an SP better than .904.
Gibson used to be the No. 1 option in Anaheim, but the goalie rotation is now closer to a 50-50 split with 24-year-old Lukas Dostal. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said Gibson would want to go to a team where he'll be the starting netminder.
It probably will take the Ducks retaining some of Gibson's salary to make him palatable in a trade. But Anaheim has all sorts of salary cap space, and they can ask for a decent amount of draft picks or prospects in any Gibson deal. Gibson is clearly in a better place this season, but he could benefit from playing more games on a competitive team in need of a starter.
Ryan Donato, C, Chicago Blackhawks
Donato is almost certain to be dealt by the Blackhawks as the team's rebuilding, and he's a UFA at season's end. At 28 years old, Donato is having a career season on offense, with 19 goals and 37 points in just 53 games. He's also a very affordable asset, with a cap hit of only $2 million.
On a team that's a true Stanley Cup contender – and not a dismal squad like the Hawks – Donato has a chance to be a 25- to 30-goal scorer and a solid asset. Donato can not drive up his salary asking price next season and beyond but carry this momentum into the playoffs, and that's why many teams should be interested in his services. It makes sense for Chicago and for Donato to give him a chance on a better team.
Brock Nelson, C, New York Islanders
Nelson is arguably the most attractive potential acquisition this year, as he's a pending UFA with plenty of experience. His current salary of $6 million means a team may have to clear out some cap space.
The Islanders are still fighting for a playoff spot, and Isles GM Lou Lamoriello may choose to not only retain Nelson but try to re-sign him. That doesn't mean a change of teams wouldn't do him well, though. To the contrary.
Nelson has 17 goals and 35 points in 55 games this year, which has him on pace for his lowest scoring total since the shortened 2020-21 season. And while a hot streak improved the Islanders' playoff chances, they remain four points and three teams behind the Detroit Red Wings for the second wild-card spot.
At 33 years old, this could be Nelson's best chance yet to spend the rest of the season competing for a Stanley Cup with another squad before figuring out where he wants to sign next, whether it's back with the Islanders or elsewhere.
Dylan Cozens, C, Buffalo Sabres
One of the most talked-about players approaching this year's trade deadline is Cozens, who is having another disappointing year with Buffalo.
The 24-year-old has only 11 goals and 27 points in 54 games with the Sabres – numbers far lower than the 31-goal, 68-point season he had in 2022-23. Cozens' $7.1-million cap hit makes his situation in Buffalo worse.
Sabres GM Kevyn Adams needs to hit a home run in any Cozens trade, and while there's no assurance a Cozens trade will happen, the right decision for Cozens' future may be somewhere other than Western New York. Cozens' career could be rejuvenated in a deal with another organization that has a more offensive style. That's how the Sabres played in 2022-23 under Don Granato before switching to more focus on defense.
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Which Cities Should Bid For The 2028 World Cup Of Hockey?
The NHL and NHLPA announced the return of the World Cup of Hockey in 2028. But which cites around the globe are good bets to host games at the next World Cup?
The NHL and NHL Players Association announced Wednesday the World Cup of Hockey will be return in 2028.
The last World Cup was in 2016, and the 2028 event will be welcome news for hockey countries who aren’t involved in the current 4 Nations Face-Off.
However, one thing that wasn’t announced Wednesday was the cities that will host World Cup of Hockey games. The NHL and NHLPA have yet to accept bids from cities to host World Cup games, but that doesn’t mean we can’t speculate which cities could and should be hosting games in 2028.
While the 2016 edition only featured one host city for the official games, 10 cities hosted pre-tournament games, and the first two editions had games in a handful of countries.
In the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, the host cities were:
- Toronto
- Montreal
- St. Paul, Minnesota
- Helsinki, Finland
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Cologne, Germany
- Prague, Czechia
And in the 1996 World Cup, the games took place in:
- Ottawa
- Montreal
- Vancouver
- Philadelphia
- New York City
- Stockholm
- Prague
- Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
- Tampere, Finland
There could be plenty more cities not mentioned that make a bid and get to host matches, but here are some that come to mind for 2028.
In Canada: Vancouver, Toronto
Toronto hosted every game during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. But with Montreal hosting the 4 Nations Face-Off, Toronto could have a great chance of getting hosting duties back in 2028. The city should have zero issues selling out games, and it repeatedly gets marquee NHL events, such as the 2024 and 2000 All-Star Games.
A cosmopolitan city, such as Vancouver, also seems like a good fit. The 2010 Olympics in Vancouver featured some massive moments in the sport's history, especially the gold medal game between Canada and the USA. The crowd of 17,748 was the best-attended gold medal game in Olympic history, according to the IIHF.
Ottawa hosted games in the 1996 tournament, including a quarterfinal and semifinal, at what is now the Canadian Tire Centre. However, the Ottawa Senators still need to finalize a sale of the land needed to build a new downtown arena, although the city had success hosting the 2025 world juniors at the current rink.
As for some honorable mentions, Edmonton has hosted multiple world juniors tournaments at eight-year-old Rogers Place, while Calgary's new arena is scheduled to be ready for the 2027-28 season. Quebec City also hosted a pre-tournament game in 2016. Could they get a shot?
In The United States: Chicago, New York City
Ideally, you want a high-profile event like the World Cup of Hockey to be played in a major media market. That's why Toronto is tempting in Canada and why Chicago and Manhattan make a lot of sense to host World Cup games three years from now.
New York City and the Windy City are also Original Six cities, of course, and that should lead to more interest from die-hard fans and casual fans alike.
Philadelphia and Madison Square Garden hosted games in 1996. The home of the New York Rangers underwent extensive renovations, while the Philadelphia Flyers plan to build a new rink to open in 2031, making a 2032 World Cup a better fit for them than 2028.
If the idea is to spread out the 2028 games between Canada, the U.S., and countries in Europe – nothing's confirmed in that regard – we see only a couple of American cities getting the nod to host World Cup games. Minnesota has more than its share of hockey fanatics, but if Chicago hosts some games in 2028, Minnesota fans won’t have to travel far to get a taste of World Cup action.
In Europe: Prague, Berlin, Stockholm, Tampere
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said at least eight teams will compete in the 2028 World Cup and there won't be a Team North America or Team Europe. This opens the door for Germany to return.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen hosted Germany's home game in the 1996 tournament, but it holds fewer than 7,000 fans and was built for the 1936 Winter Olympics. The chance to play in Berlin, Germany's capital city, at Uber Arena is too appealing to turn down.
It makes a lot of sense to capitalize on the NHL having German players in starring roles, such as Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stutzle, Moritz Seider and JJ Peterka.
We can also see the NHL considering Stockholm, Prague and Tampere in 2028. Each city hosted Global Series games in the past two years. Helsinki is another option for Finland, although its biggest arena has been closed since February 2022 due to sanctions on Russian owners. It's reported to reopen this spring.
In any case, the NHL should have more than enough excellent options in Canada, America and European countries to make the 2028 World Cup of Hockey a must-see event in those areas and
across the planet.
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Which Of The Detroit Red Wings Or New York Rangers Look More Like A Playoff Team Right Now?
The battle to land a wild-card playoff berth is fierce this season, but if only one of the Red Wings or Rangers can make it, Adam Proteau thinks one is in much better shape right now.
Presidents' Trophy winners don't often find themselves in the battle for a wild-card spot the following season. That's exactly the New York Rangers' situation as they chase the Detroit Red Wings for the second wild-card spot.
At the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off break, the Red Wings and Rangers – are among the group of nine teams battling it out for an Eastern Conference wild-card berth.
The Red Wings sit in the second wild-card place, with a 28-22-5 record and 61 points, but the Rangers are only three points behind, with a 27-24-4 record and 58 points.
Detroit looks to make the playoffs for the first time in nine years. On paper, the Rangers have elite talents on offense, defense and in net with valuable playoff experience.
The Rangers even have better odds of making the playoffs than the Red Wings, according to moneypuck.com. The Blueshirts are at 49.5 percent, while Hockeytown is at 46.4 percent.
But if only one of these two teams could make the post-season, the Red Wings look more ready to do that this season.
For one thing, Detroit will likely add talent by the league’s March 7 trade deadline. The Wings have about $8.29 million in salary cap space, and GM Steve Yzerman is under tremendous pressure to get his team back into the playoffs. This is not to say Rangers GM Chris Drury doesn’t have serious pressure on him to avoid missing the playoffs, but Yzerman needs his team to jump the hurdle and avoid getting stuck in the mushy middle.
There’s still a lot of solid talent on the Rangers’ roster, such as Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, Igor Shesterkin and newly acquired J.T. Miller. But there’s a reason they're three points out of a playoff spot instead of battling for the conference lead. Simply put, they’re too inconsistent to rise through the Eastern ranks and claim a playoff spot.
Since Nov. 21, the Rangers haven’t won more than two games in a row. In that same span, the Rangers have had a five-game losing streak, a four-game losing skid and two three-game losing streaks, the most recent occurring from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1. This team has been a regular disappointment, and nothing we’ve seen of late is changing our mind about the Rangers.
The Red Wings, on the other hand, have been on an impressive tear since they changed coaches on Dec. 26. Put aside their first loss under new bench boss Todd McLellan, and the Red Wings have had two seven-game winning streaks. That’s why the Wings are now in a wild-card spot and why we’re confident Detroit will outlast the rest of the field and squeeze into the playoffs.
The Rangers must know they’re not getting into the top three of the Metropolitan Division. They’re 10 points back of the New Jersey Devils for third place in the Metro and 12 points behind the Carolina Hurricanes for second place.
From what we’ve seen, the Rangers don’t have it in them to go on a lengthy winning streak to be a wild-card team. The wild card is their best, last chance to salvage this season, but they’ve got four teams ahead of them – the Ottawa Senators, Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets and Boston Bruins. Overtaking at least three of them out for a post-season spot is shaping up to be a very tall order.
The Rangers are supposed to have much better goaltending than Detroit, and Blueshirts star Igor Shesterkin hasn't necessarily hurt the team. But he hasn't stolen many games for them this year, and someone who's about to get an $11.5-million cap hit next season should do that. His .906 save percentage matches that of Detroit starter Cam Talbot, and his 2.87 goals-against is worse than Talbot's 2.84.
The Rangers are trending more toward being just a point or two out of the playoffs, with too many points to have a decent chance at landing a top draft pick this summer. It’s mushy-middle territory for the Rangers, which will be a massive letdown.
We could be wrong, of course. There’s a possibility the Rangers put it all together and land a wild-card spot. But right now, the Red Wings look like the better team. They have the motivation, the coaching and the talent to get the job done.
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Screen Shots: Marner's 4 Nations Opportunity, L.A.'s Charity Game Lineup And Duclair's Rink In Florida
Adam Proteau discusses Mitch Marner's golden opportunity, the Los Angeles Kings' charity event to fundraise for fire aid and the Anthony Duclair Foundation's new synthetic ice rink.
Welcome back to Screen Shots, a regular THN.com file in which we tackle a few different hockey topics, and analyze them with some brief paragraphs. Let’s get right to it.
The 4 Nations Face-Off is a platform certain NHL stars can use to ratchet up their bargaining power on their next contract.
One of the biggest stars – Toronto Maple Leafs powerhouse and Team Canada right winger Mitch Marner – has a golden opportunity to use the 4 Nations Face-Off to increase his value when he becomes a UFA this summer.
To be sure, Marner must have a terrific Stanley Cup playoff to bump up his salary from the current $10.9 million. Playing in a best-on-best competition against the USA, Sweden, and Finland, where one loss could cost a team a place in the final, is a great way for him to prove he can excel in a high-stakes environment.
Marner's 71 points in 54 games gives him a 1.31 points-per-game average, which is the second-highest of his nine-year NHL career. That's second only to his 1.35 points-per-game average in 72 games in 2021-22.
Marner is on pace for an 82-assist, 104-point season, which would be the best of his career, beating his 69-assist, 99-point season in 2022-23.
The good news for Marner is that he’s on a line with Oilers superstar Connor McDavid at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Marner has the chance to be an assist machine in this tournament, but it would shock no one if McDavid gave Marner every chance to finish scoring plays.
The devastating California fires have affected scores of people. The massive destruction in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas have deeply moved the hockey world.
The hockey community is often at its best when times call on them to help address unfortunate situations. The Los Angeles Kings are admirably doing what they can to raise money for those who have been affected by the fires by staging a fundraiser at Crypto.com Arena.
On Wednesday, they announced the players and appearances for the Feb. 23 game.
Kings alumni Jeff Carter and Dion Phaneuf are expected to participate, as well as GM Rob Blake, Kings executive Luc Robitaille and Hockey Hall of Famers Teemu Selanne and Mark Messier,
The “Skate For L.A. Strong” event will also feature celebrity hockey fans, such as Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughan, Danny DeVito, Steve Carell and Elisha Cuthbert.
If you're in the area and you can attend – or even if you’re far from L.A. and you want to do what you can to help – you can visit the website and find a way to contribute to a worthy cause.
Finally, it was great to see New York Islanders winger Anthony Duclair cutting the ribbon on a new synthetic ice rink in South Florida, where he played for the Florida Panthers from 2020 to 2023.
Duclair's initiative to bring the game to underserved communities is a terrific one that could lead to more elite players in the future.
"This is more than just a rink – it’s about creating opportunities," Duclair said in an announcement. "Hockey has given me so much, and my goal is to ensure that more kids, regardless of background, have the chance to experience and fall in love with the game. The recognition from the City of Lauderdale Lakes is truly an honor, and I hope this rink is just the beginning of something bigger."
Duclair told the assembled crowd Tuesday that despite moving on from the Panthers, he’s chosen to make South Florida his home. And the new rink coincides with the city of Lauderdale Lakes proclaiming Feb. 12, 2025, as “Anthony Duclair Day.”
Of course, Duclair isn’t doing this for the publicity. He recognizes there’s a need to develop the game among markets that don’t grow up with the sport, and he’s put his time and money into welcoming fans of all types into the game. Here’s hoping this is the first of many positive developments on that front.
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4 Nations Face-Off Predictions: Jets Pair Should Propel USA
Adam Proteau makes predictions for the 4 Nations Face-Off final, the champions, MVP and top goaltender.
The NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off is finally here, which means it's time for predictions.
Below, we will give our opinion on which two nations will be in the 4 Nations final and the winner of that game, the most valuable player of the tournament and the top goaltender.
Let's get right to it:
4 Nations Face-Off Finalists: Canada vs. USA
Canada and the USA are considered the front-runners to win the 4 Nations Face-Off for good reason.
Both countries have an embarrassment of riches at forward and on defense, and they have all sorts of championship experience and winning know-how.
With due respect to the injury-depreciated Finnish team and the Swedish team, those two countries can't truly compare to the Canadian and U.S. squads on paper.
For that reason, we're expecting to see Canada and the USA squaring off in the 4 Nations Face-Off final in Boston.
The Americans will have a hometown advantage in that final game, but Canada isn't going to roll over in the final. It will be a closely contested showdown, and it might come down to multiple overtimes to decide the tournament winner. That should make for a compelling final that will have fans wanting the 2026 Olympics to arrive as soon as possible.
4 Nations Face-Off Winner: USA
With little separating the Canadians from the Americans in terms of talent at forward and on 'D,' the Americans' goaltending will likely be the deciding factor in who wins the 4 Nations Face-Off.
The Americans will almost certainly go with superstar Connor Hellebuyck all the way. With the defense he has in front of him, Hellebuyck can be a dominant force on the international stage.
We also expect the Americans to benefit from a speedy, skilled group of forwards that has its share of spunk and grit.
With the Tkachuk brothers placed on different lines by coach Mike Sullivan, the U.S. will be a very tough bunch to play against. And our favorite line in particular for Team USA is the one with superstars Auston Matthews, Jack Hughes and Jake Guentzel. That's an astonishing combination of playmaking, scoring and overall talent.
All things considered, the American squad has it all. Although Canada will put up a great fight, the Canadians' goaltending is their Achilles heel, which the U.S. can exploit. That's why the U.S. is predicted to win the Face-Off.
MVP: Kyle Connor, USA
We're going slightly off the board with this pick, considering Connor's going up against Cup champions, Hart Trophy winners and some of the biggest names in the NHL.
Connor's Winnipeg Jets don't get nearly enough attention. The same goes for Connor, a top-10 point-getter in the NHL this season.
This 4 Nations Face-Off tournament could propel him to a new level of fame. Connor is on Team USA's first line with Vegas' Jack Eichel and Florida's Matthew Tkachuk. That means Connor will get plenty of golden opportunities to finish plays.
Connor currently has 30 goals (sixth in the NHL) and 69 points (sixth) in 56 games, putting him on pace for a 43-goal, 101-point season. That would be a new career-best in points, beating his current career high of 93 points, set in 2021-22.
All due respect to Mark Scheifele, but Connor has never played with as much pure talent as he will at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and it should be no surprise if the 28-year-old scores at crucial times in the tournament.
The hockey world will be focused on a couple of Connors – Connor McDavid and Connor Hellebuyck – but Kyle Connor may emerge as the most valuable Connor at the 4 Nations.
Best Goaltender: Connor Hellebuyck, USA
Hellebuyck has been terrific for the Jets this season. He enters the 4 Nations Face-Off break leading all NHL goalies with at least 20 games played in goals-against average (2.06), save percentage (.925) and shutouts (six).
He hasn't yet converted his regular-season dominance into Stanley Cup playoff success. Still, in this short 4 Nations Face-Off, he will have an excellent opportunity to cement his status as the sport's best netminder.
At 31 years old, Hellebuyck is in his prime, and he will play behind an American defense corps that should thrive when it comes to puck possession, keeping the puck out of the defensive zone for long stretches of time.
Of course, the Canadians and Swedes, in particular, will test Hellebuyck's mettle with waves of talented forwards. But we're of the opinion that Hellebuyck has the gumption and the goaltending fundamentals to give the U.S. a solid chance to win every game.
If Hellebuyck falters, America has great goalie insurance in Dallas' Jake Oettinger and Boston's Jeremy Swayman. But we don't think it will come to that. Instead, we see Hellebuyck starring for the U.S. and leading them to the 4 Nations Face-Off championship. It won't be easy, but Hellebuyck has what it takes to be a huge success for the Americans.
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Will Wildly Different NHL Playoff Races See More Western Conference Sellers?
While seven Eastern Conference NHL teams are within six points behind a wild-card spot, only two clubs in the West can say the same. How could that affect the trade deadline?
The NHL's playoff race looks quite different in each conference, with just over three weeks until the trade deadline.
One conference's race has narrowed down, while the other's battle for the two wild-card spots has no clear picture.
That could lead to a difference in the two conferences regarding the teams that will be buyers and sellers at the March 7 trade deadline.
At the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off break, seven Eastern Conference teams are six points of the Detroit Red Wings, who occupy the second wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Only the Buffalo Sabres, which are 12 points behind the Wings, are virtually out of the race in the East. And four teams – the Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers and New York Islanders – are within four points of Detroit.
The Penguins did kickstart their selling by trading Marcus Pettersson to the Vancouver Canucks, but it's uncertain whether they'll go further and move someone like Rickard Rakell. Almost any Eastern Conference team is a hot streak away from getting their turn in a playoff spot, and the wild-card holders change game by game.
On the other hand, the Western Conference has a much smaller group of teams that are relatively close to a playoff spot.
Five teams – the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Seattle Kraken and Anaheim Ducks – are at least nine points behind the Vancouver Canucks for the second wild-card spot in the West. Two more – the St. Louis Blues and Utah Hockey Club – are at least six points behind Vancouver. Only Calgary is close to Vancouver, as the Flames are three points behind the Canucks.
That could mean more Western teams want to be sellers right now.
This isn’t to say that many Eastern Conference teams won't be sellers. Some of the top talent in trade speculation comes from the East, including Brock Nelson, Rakell, Rasmus Ristolainen and Trent Frederic. But you’d better believe Eastern GMs can be persuaded that they could squeeze into a wild-card position if they can get their act together once the 4 Nations break comes to an end.
With that said, who can we expect to be moved in the West?
Blackhawks center Ryan Donato is a possibility. San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro has surfaced on trade boards. Then there’s Ducks goaltender John Gibson, although Anaheim will have to retain salary to make a deal for Gibson palatable.
Meanwhile, maybe Predators Ryan O’Reilly and Gustav Nyquist get moved out of Nashville in the right circumstances. Veteran forwards Yanni Gourde and Brandon Tanev could be trade candidates for Seattle.
If the Blues fade further out of playoff contention, they could become sellers, with teams being reportedly interested in captain Brayden Schenn. Utah Hockey Club center Nick Bjugstad is a pending UFA.
You can see, then, why it’s smart to keep your eyes on Western Conference teams as sellers at the deadline – or sooner than then. We all should know by now some GMs don’t want to wait until the hours before the deadline to make big moves. The easier road to roster change goes through the West.
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Aiden Kirkwood Commits To Cornell
thehockeynews.comAiden Kirkwood Commits To CornellKirkwood is currently playing U18 AAA in Quebec
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NHL Trade Deadline: Middle-Six Centers Are All The Rage
The NHL's trade deadline is less than a month away, and a bunch of second- and third-line centers have been topics of trade speculation, whether they get moved or not.
With a little less than one month until the NHL’s March 7 trade deadline, it's looking like second- and third-line centers are trending.
While there will almost assuredly be defensemen, wingers and maybe goalies available at the deadline, a slew of veteran centers have surfaced in trade rumors and speculation. Some teams, such as the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets, could use one of them to improve their center depth.
The centers mentioned in the speculation fall into three distinct categories. Let's explore each of them more.
Pure Rentals
Brock Nelson (NYI), Trent Frederic (BOS), Ryan Donato (CHI), Yanni Gourde (SEA), Jake Evans (MTL)
These five centers are all pending UFAs who have yet to sign contract extensions. That makes them attractive to teams that don’t want to commit long-term. That said, depending on the team we’re talking about, these NHLers could essentially be auditioning to sign a contract extension.
It will be a low-risk, potentially high-reward situation for these players.
If the New York Islanders remain in the wild-card race, then they could keep Nelson, whether he re-signs with them or not. Although The Hockey News' Stefen Rosner reported the belief is the team wants to sign him to a contract extension, there's no new deal yet. With a $6-million cap hit, 17 goals and 35 points, Nelson isn't the cheapest option but could be the right match for a team looking for a second-line option or a third-line center on a Cup contender.
Other players, such as Montreal's Evans and Boston's Frederic, could get more term on an extension because they’re younger than the rest of the field. Chicago's Donato has had a decent year with 37 points, so the Blackhawks should try to trade him for future assets. And while Seattle's Gourde has had injury issues, his post-season experience will intrigue teams looking for help down the middle.
In any case, each of these players could get traded if their current team doesn't re-sign them and they're trailing in the playoff race. Teams that want to land a center have plenty of options to choose from here.
Centers With Term Left After This Year
Dylan Cozens (BUF), Scott Laughton (PHI), Casey Mittelstadt (COL)
This isn’t a big group, as teams that are happy with their long-term centers aren’t going to shop them around – and the teams that are likely to be sellers are sellers because they don’t have top talents on the roster.
The Buffalo Sabres' Dylan Cozens is a popular topic in trade rumors and speculation, as he has only 27 points in 54 games this season. But the 24-year-old is younger than the other centers in the trade market, and in the second season of his seven-year contract, Buffalo should only move him if there's a hockey trade that brings back a bona fide top center.
That leaves only a couple of options for teams interested in acquiring a center who is cost-certain beyond this season without needing to make a blockbuster trade.
Laughton is signed through next season at a very affordable $3-million price tag. Laughton also has no no-trade or no-move protection, and he brings physicality, effective two-way play and stellar leadership. He has 26 points in 54 games for the Flyers in third-line minutes.
Mittelstadt, meanwhile, has struggled to live up to expectations in Colorado this season and still has two years left on his contract at $5.75 million per season. He’s still only 26 years old, so there may be teams that see him turning things around with a fresh start in a new market. The Avalanche also have every opportunity to keep Mittelstadt in hopes he reaches his potential as a top-notch No. 2 center. If a team wants to be aggressive and try to trade for Mittelstadt, Colorado could be more tempted to move him.
Long-Shot Acquisitions
Ryan O'Reilly (NSH), Brayden Schenn (STL)
O'Reilly and Schenn surfaced in trade speculation, but it's tough to see them going anywhere unless the perfect move arises.
Schenn is 33 years old with another three years left on his contract at $6.5 million per season. Schenn also has a full no-trade clause in his current deal. That doesn’t mean the Blues can’t approach him about a potential trade – it just means he gets to control where he would want to go in a deal. He’s an accomplished center with a Stanley Cup on his resume, and teams may choose to throw a slew of prospects and draft picks to help St. Louis re-tool for next season.
Meanwhile, O’Reilly is 34 years old with two more seasons on a contract that carries a $4.5-million cap hit. O’Reilly is also a Cup champion who can play a gritty playoff style, and there are more than a few teams that covet his services.
He doesn’t have any no-trade or no-move protection, but Preds GM Barry Trotz has enough reverence for O’Reilly to treat him like he has a no-move clause. However, if a team overwhelms Trotz with a trade package for O’Reilly – and if O’Reilly sees a fit for himself with another franchise – a trade for him is not out of the realm of possibility.
Schenn and O’Reilly could stick with their current employer, but if they are dealt, few would be surprised. They're proven winners, but the cost to acquire them limits the market significantly. So they're long shots to be traded.
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The 4 Nations Face-Off Lines Look Thrilling – Especially Canada's First Power-Play Unit
The first day of practices at the 4 Nations Face-Off showed just how stacked some forward lines will be when the action begins. There are some near-perfect combinations.
It's hard not to be stoked at the lines we're seeing at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Canada, the USA, Sweden and Finland had their first practices in Montreal on Monday. While the tourney isn’t completely a best-on-best showdown of hockey countries, there's still a week's spotlight of some of hockey's top stars.
Seeing the coaches of those teams start to create line combinations is thrilling for hardcore fans and casual fans alike. And what Canada and the USA had for initial line combinations just shows how promising they can be when the games begin.
For instance, Canada coach Jon Cooper assembled a truly imposing set of lines Monday, with superstars Connor McDavid of Edmonton and Toronto’s Mitch Marner on a line with Florida’s Sam Reinhart. McDavid and Marner are tied for fourth in league scoring, with 71 points, and they produce assists like there's no tomorrow. Putting them with Reinhart, whose 31 goals are tied with the snubbed Mark Scheifele for the third-most in the NHL, is a recipe for domination.
A 1B for Canada has Penguins icon Sidney Crosby centering Vegas winger Mark Stone and Colorado’s superstar Nathan MacKinnon. Nova Scotia's Crosby and MacKinnon on a line together is a perfect match and should be a pleasure to watch.
How do you guard against lines like this? Opposing defenses will be twisted into knots trying to figure out that question.
The scariest part of Team Canada, though, is the power-play units.
The first power-play unit is as frightening as it gets, with MacKinnon, McDavid, Crosby, Reinhart and Cale Makar there to terrify opponents. Those five players are probably the best collection of pure talent on the ice at the same time since Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux played together at the 1987 Canada Cup.
That said, it’s also intriguing that Cooper chose to go with just one defenseman on the first power-play group. But on the second unit, he’s got Marner, Stone, Brayden Point and two blueliners – Josh Morrissey and Shea Theodore – rounding out the group.
To say the least, Sweden, Finland, and America will be well-advised not to take any penalties because Canada’s power play will be all but automatic offense.
The United States also have dominant lines at the 4 Nations Face-Off. It would've been nice to see Matthew and Brady Tkachuk on the same line, but coach Mike Sullivan has other intriguing plans.
Brady Tkachuk practised on the third line with J.T. Miller and Matt Boldy, and Matthew Tkachuk is with center Jack Eichel and left winger Kyle Connor. That Matthew Tkachuk line, in particular, is an eye-catching blend of physicality, speed, elite playmaking and stellar shooting. Connor and Eichel are tied for the sixth-most points in the NHL, with 69.
But even then, another line is superstar captain Auston Matthews centering Jack Hughes and Jake Guentzel. That is about as skilled as it gets. Guentzel has the league's eighth-most goals, with 27. Matthews is a three-time 'Rocket' Richard winner, and Hughes is a playmaking machine who's 10th in league scoring and can also score. Trying to keep up with each of them will be quite a challenge.
The Swedes practised with pretty balanced forward line combinations. Lucas Raymond (21 goals, 59 points) and Jesper Bratt (41 assists, 65 points) make a great duo in the next two weeks. Adrian Kempe (25 goals, 46 points) and Filip Forsberg 21 goals, 53 points) lead their NHL clubs in points with a stellar balance of goals and assists. Centering those two should be a massive boost of confidence for Elias Pettersson.
Finland only had 11 skaters practising on Monday, but Sebastian Aho and Mikko Rantanen to continue to develop their chemistry after the Hurricanes acquired the latter is a tempting possibility. The other option is putting Rantanen with Aleksander Barkov while Aho reunites with Teuvo Teravainen.
Of course, coaches could always put the lines in a blender shortly after action begins, so we shouldn’t get too attached to the lines we’re seeing in practices today. It’s all a high-stakes experiment, and strange things can lead to strange line combinations at any point in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
But you can clearly see why the NHL and NHL Players Association created this tournament. This is much more captivating than a mid-season All-Star Game – and as emotions ramp up in the games that will be played in Montreal and Boston between Feb. 12 and 20, the on-ice action should be must-see hockey.
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