Toronto Maple Leafs
Why Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews and William Nylander Were Named to First Six Players of 4 Nations Face-Off Rosters for U.S. and Sweden
Among the first 24 NHL players, six per team were selected for each of Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States.
The anticipation for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off has reached a peak, as the first wave of NHL stars announced includes two Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews and William Nylander, the NHL and NHLPA determined Friday. The two will headline the initial rosters for the United States and Sweden, respectively.
Among the first 24 NHL players, six per team were selected for each of Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States. All players among the 24 chosen have either won an international gold medal, the Stanley Cup or claimed an individual award – or a combination of those achievements.
Matthews, the NHL’s leading scorer in 2023-24 with 69, leads the charge for the Americans, along with forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Eichel, as well as defensemen Adam Fox, Quinn Hughes, and Charlie McAvoy among the other notable names included.
Matthews, who won his third Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy this season, was also nominated for the Ted Lindsay Award, the Frank J. Selke Trophy, and the Lady Byng Trophy. In his eighth season in the NHL, Matthews recorded career highs in goals (69), points (107) and faceoff wins (705), while becoming only the eighth player in NHL history to reach 51 even-strength goals in a season.
The U.S. kick off their tournament against Finland on February 13 and Canada on the 15th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, followed by closing out the round-robin against Sweden on February 17 in Boston at TD Garden.
The Swedes
Following his second 40-goal regular season, Nylander will be suiting up for Sweden. Nylander achieved a career-high 98 points (40G, 58A) in 82 games in 2023-24 and signed an eight-year, $92 million contract extension with the Leafs back in January. In terms of his Swedish ties, Nylander previously played for Sweden at the World Juniors.
The other five included are forwards Mika Zibanejad and Filip Forsberg, as well as defensemen Gustav Forsling, Victor Hedman, and Erik Karlsson. Sweden opens their schedule against Canada on February 12 and Finland on the 15th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, followed by their final preliminary game on February 17 against the U.S. in Boston at TD Garden.
Each National Association will submit the remainder of its rosters between November 29 and December 2, composed of 23 NHL players (20 skaters, three goalies). The 4 Nations Face-Off will consist of a total of seven games played over nine days from February 12-20.
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