Who could play for Team USA at 4 Nations Face-Off?

When the players for Team USA are announced next week for the 4 Nations Face-Off, there will automatically be a bunch of deserving players left off.

Not intentionally. It’s just that the U.S. pool of NHL players is that deep and that impressive.

Here is a projection of who could be on Team USA for the 4 Nations Face-Off that will be played from Feb. 12-20 in Montreal and Boston (listed alphabetically, *-originally named to the team):

Forwards

Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild

Cole Caufield, Montreal Canadiens

Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets

Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights*

Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning

Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils

Clayton Keller, Utah Hockey Club

Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings

Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs*

Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars

Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres

Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators

Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers*

Analysis: There’s plenty to like and some caveats. There’s strength down the middle and scoring throughout the group. Matthews is both a three-time goal-scoring leader and a Selke Trophy finalist. It will be fun having the gritty Tkachuk brothers and high-scoring Hughes brothers on the team. The caveats: Matthews and Thompson have missed time with injury, though they should be fine by February. Matthew Tkachuk’s and Robertson’s scoring numbers are off. Vancouver’s J.T. Miller would be a good addition, but he has taken a leave of absence.

Other options: Miller; Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks; Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers; Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres.

Defensemen

Brock Faber, Minnesota Wild

Adam Fox, New York Rangers*

Noah Hanifin, Vegas Golden Knights

Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks*

Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins*

Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes

Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets

Analysis: A strong blue line. Hughes and Fox are former Norris Trophy winners. Faber was runner-up for rookie of the year and Werenski had a recent five-point game. Hanifin and Slavin are solid two-way players and McAvoy, though his numbers are down, can drive offense. There are four left-handed shots to three righties, so there are opportunities to mix and match.

Other options: John Carlson, Washington Capitals; Neal Pionk, Winnipeg Jets.

Goaltenders

Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets

Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars

Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins

Analysis: Team USA will have the strongest goaltending of the tournament. Hellebuyck is a two-time Vezina Trophy winner and an early favorite for the award this season as the Jets have had their best start to a season. Oettinger took the Stars to the Western Conference final the past two seasons and is off to a strong start this season. Swayman has struggled at times this season after missing training during a contract dispute. But he had a .933 save percentage during the 2024 playoffs. Vancouver’s Thatcher Demko would be in the mix if he weren’t hurt.

Other options: Joey Daccord, Seattle Kraken; Anthony Stolarz, Toronto Maple Leafs; Demko.