HF Habs: 4 Nations Face-Off: Canada & US roster announcement, 12/4/24, 6:30 PM | SN

[MarkovsKnee]

There's no All Star Game this year; instead the NHL is hosting the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, a 4 team tournament with Canada, USA, Finland & Sweden participating.

Tournament takes place February 12-20 in Montreal & Boston with Round Robin play between the four teams.

The top 2 teams will play in a Championship game, which will be held in Boston.

Canada & US teams are to be announced Wednesday, December 4th, at 6:30 PM on SN.

It's possible no Canadiens players makes any of the teams, but here are the candidates:

Canada: Suzuki, Montembeault
USA: Caufield
Finland: Laine, Armia
Sweden: Heineman

That's about it really.

Apparently, Travis Sanheim, of Philadelphia, has made Team Canada. I'm sure we'll hear more leaks before the official announcement.

Use this thread to discuss anything related to this tournament.

Click to read more...

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

I kinda not dig the tournament but if Suzuki doesnt make the team , it's a joke. He deserves it.

 

[Chili]

Can't remember the last All-Star game I watched, was probably with Gretzky & Lemieux involved. They are trying something different at least. I guess a bit of a warmup for the next Olympics.

I made up this table of current NHLers by country who have played in the NHL to December 1st this season, gives a base they are drawing from (unless there are non NHL players in the tournament?)

Country​	#​	% total​
Canada​	333​	39.9​
USA​	248​	29.7​
Sweden​	79​	9.5​
Russia​	55​	6.6​
Finland​	41​	4.9​
Czechia​	26​	3.1​
Switzerland​	11​	1.3​
Germany​	7​	0.8​
Slovakia​	7​	0.8​
Others​	27​	3.2​

 

[the]

Patrick Laine will play for Finland

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Patrick Laine will play for Finland

Yeah, I forgot him. Lol

 

[the valiant effort]

#Boycott4Nations

If the NHL is going to waste the first 10 years of McDavid and co’s careers keeping them out of real international competition they can go ahead and **** a ******* ****ing ****. Stupid ****ing assholes

 

[HuGort]

Bedard or Celebrini?

 

[Vachon23]

I kinda not dig the tournament but if Suzuki doesnt make the team , it's a joke. He deserves it.

I don’t expect him to make the team

To much offensive talent and I don’t see him having a role like other players can

 

[CheldishGamibno]

I don’t expect him to make the team

To much offensive talent and I don’t see him having a role like other players can

He would be great centering the 4th line + PK time I'd say

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Bedard or Celebrini?

Neither, but given how this season has gone it would be Celebrini.

I'd be shocked if anyone aside from Laine made a team and if that happens I'll definitely tune in.

Apparently Konecny has made team Canada, so that's someone Suzuki would battle for a spot that's already confirmed

 

[Vachon23]

He would be great centering the 4th line + PK time I'd say

They are better defensive player that will make the team I think

 

[le_sean]

He would be great centering the 4th line + PK time I'd say

I agree with you. Not about being a homer either. You want a reliable centre, who can also play wing, that can PK, and even PP, is over a PPG and is clutch? I see no reason why they shouldn’t take him. It’s a joke when I see some people pencilling Bedard over him. Bedard isn’t better than Nick at anything

 

[Picaroon]

They are better defensive player that will make the team I think

I dunno, he's one of the better two way centres in the league. He would be perfect on line 4 for them. He's a swiss-army knife for them and I feel like he's exactly the type of guy team Canada looks for. I bet he makes it especially with his uptick in offensive output lately.

 

[Vachon23]

I dunno, he's one of the better two way centres in the league. He would be perfect on line 4 for them. He's a swiss-army knife for them and I feel like he's exactly the type of guy team Canada looks for. I bet he makes it especially with his uptick in offensive output lately.

That’s where I don’t agree. I love Suzuki, he’s my favourite player on the team but I think his defensive play is overrated. He cheats a lot, he’s not good on the face off (what I think team Canada will search for their 4th line C, PK specialist).

 

[Picaroon]

That’s where I don’t agree. I love Suzuki, he’s my favourite player on the team but I think his defensive play is overrated. He cheats a lot, he’s not good on the face off (what I think team Canada will search for their 4th line C, PK specialist).

Fair take. I guess I think higher of his D game. Probably more because of his general hockey which I hold in high regard. I just think he has what it takes to take on that role for Canada. He may cheat a bit more with the Habs (I agree he does offensively) since he's in the top offensive C spot.
If you look at Canada's C's that are projected to make the team, none of them outside of Crosby are faceoff studs. Unless they intentionally bring a faceoff specialist I don't think he will be a weakness for them in the dot.

 

[Vachon23]

Fair take. I guess I think higher of his D game. Probably more because of his general hockey which I hold in high regard. I just think he has what it takes to take on that role for Canada. He may cheat a bit more with the Habs (I agree he does offensively) since he's in the top offensive C spot.
If you look at Canada's C's that are projected to make the team, none of them outside of Crosby are faceoff studs. Unless they intentionally bring a faceoff specialist I don't think he will be a weakness for them in the dot.

That’s why I could see them bringing a ROR/Couturier as 13th forward to use on those specific role. They have so many offensive talent in top 9, I think they will bring players that can bring specific things on the 4th line (like Konecny as an energy player).

Do we see Suzuki being use as an energy or defensive player? For me, the answer is no

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[le_sean]

Stupid.

You want clutch players that can play multiple roles in the tournament.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Dude has no sources, but it was already a given

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

i like our captain but theres better options then Suzuki

 

[le_sean]

i like our captain but theres better options then Suzuki

There are worse options too. Like if they invite Barzal, Bedard, Celebrini, among others

 

[Adam Michaels]

Stupid.

You want clutch players that can play multiple roles in the tournament.

Canada has a whole bunch of those types of players to choose from. Not to say Suzuki isn't one of those players, but Canada has an embarassment of riches of those clutch multiple role players.

 

[le_sean]

Canada has a whole bunch of those types of players to choose from. Not to say Suzuki isn't one of those players, but Canada has an embarassment of riches of those clutch multiple role players.

I guess we will find out. I have a difficult time finding players as clutch as him that don’t hurt the team.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

They are better defensive player that will make the team I think

Marchand is on the team and he absolutely sucks this year. They're going to play favorites per usual. Suzuki isn't one of those.

I believe Wilson is on the team to counter the Tkachuk brothers.

Too bad there isn't an All Star game as I'm pretty sure Caufield would have went to his 1st one. I don’t expect CC to make it either despite being the highest scoring American.

Oh well, they all get 2 weeks off now & can go have some fun in the sun. You know someone is getting injured in this tournament and if they don't it's probably because they're All Star quality games.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

There are worse options too. Like if they invite Barzal, Bedard, Celebrini, among others

I don't think any of them made it. I expect Robert Thomas to have made it. The organizers will pick their guys. Thomas is one. Plus has a Stanley Cup.