Should Anders Lee have cracked the Team USA roster? What about Simon Holmstrom for Team Sweden?
Before the start of the 2024-25 NHL season, the rosters for the 4 Nations Face-Off were essentially set.
Back in June, the league announced six players for each of the four countries being represented before announcing the full rosters in December.
Unlike for an All-Star game, where players' season stats matter, and roster decisions aren't made until much later, the NHL didn't reward roster spots based on regular-season play.
Of course, some players got snubbed from their respective countries, like Zach Hyman for Canada and Tage Thompson for Team USA.
The New York Islanders have one player playing in the tournament with Brock Nelson representing Team USA.
But if the NHL had picked the rosters right before the event, would another two have participated?
Islanders captain Anders Lee has had a resurgence this season, currently sitting with 23 goals, the fifth-most red lights amongst American-born players this season, with 18 assists.
He's scored more goals than 8 USA forwards, and while we aim to keep things realistic--Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews obviously deserved a roster spot--there's a case to be made that Lee, 41 points, should have earned a spot over New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider 20 points (16 goals, four assists).
What about Islanders Swedish forward Simon Holmstrom?
The 23-year-old is having a breakout NHL season, with 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in 48 games.
Looking at Team Sweden, Holmstrom has more points than three of their forwards: Elias Lindholm (29 points), Joel Eriksson Ek (23 points), Gustav Nyquist (20 points), Leo Carlsson (19 points) and Viktor Arvidsson (18 points).
It became pretty clear early on that the general managers for each team weren't building the roster with the most talent but the rosters that gave them the best chance against the other talented countries.
Lee may lack the raw speed needed at a tournament like this, but his production this season, especially in front of goal, should have earned him an opportunity.
For Holmstrom, he's so young but quickly has shown a two-way game that no question would be beneficial to Team Sweden in a tournament like this against the league's best.
Who knows if Islanders forward Mathew Barzal would have cracked Team Canada's roster had he been healthy? Defenseman Noah Dobson was also an option before his struggles.
But, with the way the cookies crumbled, Nelson is the lone Islanders representative, which could be a blessing in disguise for a team that needs to be well-rested for the stretch run once the season resumes.
The NHL's 4 Nations begins on Wednesday night, with Canada vs. Sweden at 8 PM ET on ESPN.
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