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

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.

Six players have already been named by the four participating countries. The rest will be named on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Sweden and Finland rosters will be announced at 2 p.m. ET. The USA and Canada will name their remaining players at 6:30 p.m. ET.

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.

4 Nations Face-Off schedule

(Times p.m. ET)

Wednesday, Feb. 12:  Canada vs. Sweden at Montreal, 8, TNT

Thursday, Feb. 13: USA vs. Finland at Montreal, 8, ESPN

Saturday, Feb. 15: Finland vs. Sweden at Montreal, 1, ABC

Saturday, Feb. 15: USA vs. Canada at Montreal, 8, ABC

Monday, Feb. 17: Canada vs. Finland at Boston, 1, TNT

Monday, Feb. 17:  Sweden vs. USA at Boston, 8, TNT

Thursday, Feb. 20: Championship game at Boston, 8, ESPN

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 4 Nations Face-Off Team USA projected roster