Instead of an All-Star Game in 2025, the Four Nations Cup will bring together the best talent from the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden for a series of dream matchups. How many New York Islanders will take part?
With the NHL returning to Olympic action in 2026, the league is planning a new way to bring the league's brightest stars together.
Instead of an All-Star Game in 2025 -- with the New York Islanders hosting the 2026 All-Star Game at UBS Arena -- the 4 Nations Face-Off will bring together the best talent from the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden for a series of dream matchups.
While the countries are considering their rosters, players from the Islanders will certainly be involved in those discussions.
When considering potential candidates, any discussion starts and ends with their two top stars: Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat.
After a year and a half of playing together, the two have been a dynamic duo on the team's top line. While the two were separated after Barzal suffered an injury in February of 2023, the two more than made up for lost time this past season.
Among Horvat's 40 goals in 111 career games with New York, 36 came via Barzal assists, while 25 of Barzal's 37 goals the last two seasons came off Horvat's assists.
If Team Canada is looking for a middle-six scoring duo, those two can make a notable impact on their offensive output.
While Barzal and Horvat are the main candidates to represent the Islanders for Canada, defenseman Noah Dobson is emerging as a potential dark horse candidate.
The 24-year-old had a breakout season at the blue line last year, notching 10 goals and a career-high 60 assists for a career-high 70 points, the seventh-most by a defenseman in 2023-24.
Although Dobson's production may not have been the same in the homestretch of play, it's certainly a season to build off of at his age.
With his strong campaign, it's probable that he could earn a spot as a second or third-pair defenseman who can predominantly get offensive zone time. Canada's defense would likely comprise of Cale Makar and Alex Pietrangelo as headliners, so Dobson could fill up the depth of their roster.
Brock Nelson and Anders Lee are two players with ample international experience for the United States, as Nelson most recently represented Team USA at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship in Czechia.
He posted three goals and four assists. Lee, however, hasn't represented the U.S. since the 2018 World Championship.
While Lee's offensive output has taken a dip over the past few seasons, Nelson has been one of the league's underrated snipers.
The forward has three straight seasons of 30+ goals, including a personal-best 37 in 2021-22. Additionally, he also holds the record for most goals by a Team USA forward with 19.
His play has the makings of a potential depth option down the middle for Team USA, making an impact on both ends of the ice.
The first six names on each team's roster will be announced on June 28, ahead of the upcoming NHL Draft.
With Barzal and Horvat's emergence as an elite duo. Dobson's recent success and Lee and Nelson's longtime status with IIHF tournaments, these five are the most probable to make the trek to Boston and Montreal for the special event.