Missing out on an invitation to next month’s 4 Nations Face-Off may have provided an extra shot of motivation.
Consider that the top six Canadian goal-scorers since Don Sweeney’s management team finalized its roster picks are players who were not among those given a roster spot in early December: Jordan Kyrou (12), Mark Scheifele (11), John Tavares (10), Zach Hyman (10), Jonathan Marchessault (10) and Gabriel Vilardi (10).
That underlines why having such an early roster deadline for the Feb. 12 to 20 tournament isn’t particularly conducive to identifying the players in the best form for the event.
It also illustrates the depth of Canada’s player pool.
But here’s the carrot still dangling in front of the Finns, Swedes, Canadians and Americans initially passed over: The tryouts effectively continue. Injury replacements are permitted right up until the tournament begins. And the management teams are still monitoring the progress of potential replacements.
With that in mind, we’ve dug deep on how things have gone for each country’s crop of players since the 4 Nations rosters were finalized on Dec. 2, with an eye on identifying those playing their way on to the radar.
No consideration was given to specific roles or fits. This exercise was simply about highlighting the snubs building the strongest case with their recent play.
Finland
Current roster
(Note: Highlighted players were named to the roster as “first six” selections.)
As of now, the Finns appear to be the country most likely to need at least one injury fill-in. Jani Hakanpää hasn’t played since the team was announced, and he’s only managed to skate in four games all season because of lingering knee troubles. Another player to monitor closely is Erik Haula, who recently sprained his ankle and is expected to be sidelined for a couple of weeks. Patrik Laine missed a couple games due to illness this week, but that does not seem to be a long-term issue.
Next-up forward: Joel Kiviranta
Not only does he have the most goals (six) and points (nine) among snubs since the team was selected, but he’s got built-in familiarity with Colorado Avalanche teammates Artturi Lehkonen and Mikko Rantanen. Kiviranta plays the kind of reliable 200-foot game a Finnish coach demands, and he’s delivered strong play-driving metrics this season. While he doesn’t produce a ton offensively, he’s shown a knack for scoring the big goal in the past.
The next next man: Eeli Tolvanen
Next-up defenseman: Urho Vaakanainen
One of just 10 Finnish defensemen to play an NHL game this season, Vaakanainen has emerged as a potential replacement option since landing with the New York Rangers as part of the Jacob Trouba trade on Dec. 8. He was seldom-used in Anaheim prior to the deal but is now logging 15 minutes per night with the Rangers. Vaakanainen is handling regular penalty-killing duty there, too.
The next next man: Henri Jokiharju
Next-up goalie: Justus Annunen
Another player who benefited from an in-season trade, Annunen has performed exceptionally well playing behind countryman Juuse Saros in Nashville after a rough start to the season in Colorado. He’s compiled a 3-2-0 record with a .930 save percentage since the Finnish team was initially selected. Annunen would be an easy call if the Finns need to replace a goaltender.
The next next man: Joonas Korpisalo.
Sweden
Current roster
(Note: Highlighted players were named to the roster as “first six” selections.)
The biggest ongoing injury situation in the Swedish camp surrounds goaltender Linus Ullmark, who has been unable to even take the ice for practice since before Christmas because of a back issue. Elias Pettersson has been out of Vancouver’s lineup since the holidays with an undisclosed ailment but appears to be on the verge of a return. Rasmus Dahlin (back) and Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) are playing again after injury absences. Their statuses are worth monitoring closely in case of a setback.
Next-up forward: Rickard Rakell
Rakell has been red hot since early December, scoring 11 goals and 21 points in 17 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins. No Swede has produced more during that time. Most of that offense has come at even strength for the opportunistic finisher, which should only boost his case if another forward is needed.
The next next man: Mikael Backlund
Next-up defenseman: Oliver Ekman-Larsson
A Stanley Cup winner last season in Florida, OEL’s career renaissance is continuing in Toronto. He has the fourth-high total of even-strength points (six) among Swedish defensemen since the 4 Nations roster was selected, and he’s delivering strong two-way results while logging more than 20 minutes per night.
The next next man: Adam Larsson
Next-up goalie: Arvid Söderblom
Söderblom’s numbers may not sparkle playing behind a bad Chicago Blackhawks team, but it’s telling that he has the second-most appearances among all Swedish goalies since the 4 Nations roster was selected. Those regular reps could be useful in the event he needed to be thrown into competition. And he’s certainly been holding his own with a 5-6-0 record and .893 save percentage.
The next next man: Samuel Ersson
Canada
Current roster
(Note: Highlighted players were named to the roster as “first six” selections.)
Knock wood, this group remains incredibly healthy. Josh Morrissey left a Winnipeg Jets game this week after losing his footing and crashing into his own net, but he seems to have avoided a significant injury. Beyond that, there’s nothing currently on the radar.
Next-up forward: Mark Scheifele
The Jets center had already built a pretty compelling case for inclusion in the original roster and he hasn’t slowed down since enduring the disappointment of being left off. Scheifele has compiled 11 goals and 22 points in his past 17 games — matching Sidney Crosby’s point total over the same stretch. That’s among the best of any Canadian skater in the NHL during that time.
The next next man: Robert Thomas
Next-up defenseman: Vince Dunn
It’s been a rough go of late for the Seattle Kraken, but that hasn’t kept Dunn from producing elite numbers in a difficult situation. Only Cale Makar (17) and Josh Morrissey (16) have eclipsed Dunn’s 15 points since the Canadian roster was finalized, and both of those players have already booked their tickets to the 4 Nations Face-Off. Dunn has exploded for seven goals in his past 17 games.
The next next man: Evan Bouchard
Next-up goalie: Mackenzie Blackwood
Blackwood has unquestionably had the best form of any Canadian goaltender since the 4 Nations roster was picked. He’s delivered a sparkling .938 save percentage in 13 appearances — going 9-2-1 for a Colorado Avalanche team that was compelled to sign him to a five-year contract extension almost immediately after acquiring him from the San Jose Sharks in a trade. Blackwood has played so well that there’s a case to give him starts if an injury opens the door for him to be added to the roster.
The next next man: Logan Thompson
United States
Current roster
(Note: Highlighted players were named to the roster as “first six” selections.)
The biggest points of concern are Brock Faber and Chris Kreider, who are both currently sidelined with upper-body injuries. Kreider has battled through back issues this season and last played on Jan 4. Team USA is also closely monitoring the status of Auston Matthews, who endured two significant injury absences this season with an undisclosed ailment but has looked good since returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup last weekend.
Next-up forward: Jason Robertson
The top-scoring American snub since the rosters were finalized, Robertson finally seems to have emerged from a sleepy start to the season. He’s got 20 points to show for his past 17 games in Dallas. He’s also generated more than 2.5 shots per game during that stretch, which is more in line with what we’ve seen from him during his most productive NHL seasons.
The next next man: Clayton Keller
Next-up defenseman: John Carlson
Leaving the veteran stalwart off the initial roster was one of the more difficult calls management had to make, but his performance hasn’t wavered since receiving the news. Carlson has logged more than 23 minutes per night for the Eastern Conference-leading Capitals since early December while delivering an expected goals mark of 58 percent at even strength.
The next next man: Neal Pionk
Next-up goalie: John Gibson
The veteran is quietly having a bounce-back season — putting together a .912 save percentage since early December while seeing regular action for the Anaheim Ducks. Gibson represented his country on numerous occasions earlier in his career and played for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup. He gets the nod here over some up-and-comers who have also played well. The U.S. currently enjoys an embarrassment of riches at the position.
The next next man: Joseph Woll
(Top photos of Mackenzie Blackwood and Jason Robertson: David Berding and Jared Silber / Getty Images)
