The 4 Nations Face-Off roster selections, announced in December, raise questions about potential changes if teams could remake their selections today.
While Sweden and Finland’s rosters remain largely stable due to smaller player pools, Canada and the United States face scrutiny over several choices.
Canada’s selection of Sam Bennett stands out. Bennett, who has 11 points in 30 games since his selection, was chosen for his physical play and playoff performance.
Three players make stronger cases for inclusion:
Zach Hyman has scored 16 goals in 30 games since the roster announcement. His forechecking ability and chemistry with Connor McDavid strengthen his case.
Mark Scheifele leads all Canadian players with 31 goals and has added 32 assists in 56 games.
Tom Wilson offers more size and defensive ability than Bennett, standing three inches taller at 6-foot-4 and weighing 220 pounds.
The goaltending situation presents another clear upgrade opportunity. Logan Thompson has posted a 24-2-4 record with a .923 save percentage, significantly outperforming Montreal’s Sam Montembeault (.896 save percentage in 41 games).
For Team USA, Chris Kreider’s selection looks increasingly questionable. The veteran forward has recorded just four assists this season.
Several American forwards present compelling alternatives:
Clayton Keller has produced 59 points in 54 games as Utah’s captain.
Jason Robertson has tallied 37 points in 31 games since December.
Tage Thompson has registered 26 goals and 22 assists in 48 games.
On defense, Jake Sanderson makes a strong case over Noah Hanifin. The 22-year-old Sanderson has recorded 35 points while handling top-line assignments. Hanifin, 28, has posted 23 points in a second-pair role.
Sanderson’s 5.3 defensive goals above replacement significantly outpaces Hanifin’s minus-3.3 mark.
The roster decisions echo past USA Hockey missteps, including the 2016 World Cup team that went winless after prioritizing veteran presence over scoring talent.
