The Toronto Maple Leafs have a handful of players who will likely play in the upcoming 4 Nations Tournament, including two that have been named to teams already.
This tournament is going to showcase (most of) the NHL's best talent on the international stage in a way we haven't seen since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, and the Toronto Maple Leafs will have at least a few players in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Some best-on-best international hockey is right around the corner, folks. Is it the Olympics? No. Is it a 16-team World Cup? Unfortunately not. It's the 4 Nations Face-Off. Now, say what you will about the tournament and its controversial decision to include just four teams, but it's better than nothing, and I for one will likely be watching every game.
With the rosters being officially revealed in a month or so, here is every Leafs player likely to play in this tournament.
Every Toronto Maple Leafs Player Who Could Be Playing at the 4 Nations Face-Off
Canada:
Starting with Team Canada, Mitch Marner has all but locked up a spot on this team. Even though he's not lighting up the scoresheet, he's still having a good season, and pairing him with Canadian sharpshooters such as Brayden Point, Nathan Mackinnon, or Sam Reinhart, he's sure to contribute a whole lot to this team.
Other than Marner, I wouldn't say Canada has any locks to represent the red and white come February. Morgan Rielly and Chris Tanev could potentially crack the defense group, but cracking a Canadian roster that will likely have Shea Theodore as one of its bottom pair defensemen won't be easy. I give both players a 25% chance to make the team.
John Tavares is obviously known for his strong performances in a Canadian sweater, but he unfortunately is past his glory days of being an NHL superstar.
Finland:
Sticking with the alphabetical order, next up is Team Finland. To make this easy, the Leafs have a whopping 0 Finnish players on their roster.
Roni Hirvonen and Topi Niemela are the closest they have, and as much as I like them both, neither are NHL regulars and both have a 0% chance of making this team.
Sweden:
Next up we have Team Sweden, and William Nylander has already deservingly been named to the team as one of their initial six players. Being one of the premier scorers in the NHL combined with his boatload of international experience for the Tre Kronor, this pick was a no-brainer for Team Sweden.
The only other Leafs player who could crack this lineup is Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who's enjoyed a solid start to his first year in Toronto. However, the Swedish defense group looks extra strong this year, and OEL will have a tough time earning a spot on this team.
I'll give him a 12% chance to make it, he wouldn't be a bad choice for the Swedes, but still very unlikely he makes it.
USA:
Last but not least we have Team USA, where Auston Matthews has been given a well-deserved spot as one of the Americans' intial six players. The three-time NHL goal leader may have a good shot at earning Team USA's captaincy as well.
Other than Matthews, I doubt any Leafs player cracks this roster. Matthew Knies and Jake McCabe would be good players who can add a different skill set to this American roster, but the red, white, and blue may be the deepest team in the entire tournament and I doubt either will make the squad.
Anthony Stolarz is an interesting case, as he's done nothing wrong to hinder his chances of making this team and has arguably been one of the top goalies in the NHL this year. His competition, however, is a different story.
USA's crease options consist of Connor Hellebuyck, Jeremy Swayman, Jake Oettinger, Thatcher Demko, and others. Those first four being perennial Vezina contenders pushes Stolarz out of the spotlight and take away any chance he has of making this team.
Contrast this with Canada, where if Stolarz was Canadian, he'd likely be the starter. I hate to say it, but Stolarz will not represent Team USA at this tournament.
In short, this tournament is sure to be entertaining, with a good amount of Leafs representation sprinkled throughout.
Let's see who wins come February 2025.