The 2025 NHL 4 Nations Faceoff will be held next February, with teams of NHL players from Finland, Sweden, Canada and the United States competing in a round-robin tournament.
A total of seven games will be played over nine days from February 12th to 20th, including two practice days from February 10th to 11th, in two North American cities and one city whose names have not yet been decided. Will be held. One in Canada and one in the United States.
The international tournament is more than a year away, but NHL.com wanted to get a sense of what each country’s roster would look like, so we tapped a panel of three staff writers and editors to draft a 23-person roster. We have created a list of players (20 skaters, 20 skaters). 3 goalkeepers on each team).
Today, let’s take a look at the projected roster for the Finland National Team, as selected by NHL.com Senior Editorial Director Sean P. Roark. Tracy Myers, NHL.com staff writer. Sami Harpasalo, senior writer and editor at NHL.com/fi said:
forward
Lupe Hintz, Dallas Stars
Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche
Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes
Alexander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Matthias Macelli, Arizona State Coyotes
Teuvo Teravainen, Carolina Hurricanes
Michael Granlund, San Jose Sharks
Eli Tolvanen, Seattle Kraken
Eric Haula, New Jersey Devils
Anton Randle, Florida Panthers
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Carolina Hurricanes
Artturi Lehkonen, Colorado Avalanche
Etu Luostarinen, Florida Panthers
Yes, there is some great offensive talent among the forwards, led by Rantanen, who is a top-line threat for the Avalanche, who won the Stanley Cup two seasons ago. But this group as a whole has a solid two-way game. In fact, it’s arguable that the Finns may be the most defensively solid group in the tournament. It is questionable whether he will be able to score enough points, especially among the bottom six forwards, but there is no doubt that he will not concede many points. At the top of this group are established and reliable players, led by Rantanen and Barkov, a Zelke Trophy-winning forward who played in the Stanley Cup Final last season. Aho and Teravainen also have plenty of experience in big games. Questions are at the bottom of the lineup. I wanted to include Kaapo Kakko of the New York Rangers and Patrik Laine of the Columbus Blue Jackets, but they were voted against by the co-general managers who chose players with more confidence and chemistry. Randle and Loustarinen are linemates in Florida, providing familiarity that is essential in a short tournament. While each is a quality penalty killer and has a positive trend in development, this statement does not apply to Laine and Kakko. – Rourke
defense personnel
Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars
Esa Lindell, Dallas Stars
Henri Jokiharju, Buffalo Sabers
Niko Mikkola, Florida Panthers
Jani Hakanpaa, Dallas Stars
Rasmus Ristolainen, Philadelphia Flyers
Thirteen Barimaki, Arizona Coyotes
Three of these defensemen, Heiskanen, Lindell, and Hakanpaa, played for the Dallas Stars, so there is good chemistry and familiarity with each other. Heiskanen has been one of the NHL’s top defensemen since debuting in 2018-19, setting career highs in goals (11), assists (62) and points (73) with Dallas last season. Lindell and Hakanpaa have a stable presence. Jokiharju was part of the team when Finland won the gold medal at the 2019 IIHF World Junior and World Championships. Ristolainen has been consistent throughout his 11-season NHL career. Juuso Valimaki is coming off his most productive NHL season in 2022-23, when he played in 78 games and had 34 points (4 goals, 30 assists) for the Coyotes. Niko Mikkola has been a steady presence for the Florida Panthers, and his size (6-foot-5, 206 pounds) and quickness will be an asset. –\*Myers*
goalkeeper
Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators
Antti Raanta, Carolina Hurricanes
Ukko-Pekka Lukonen, Buffalo Sabers
Saros has been one of the NHL’s best goaltenders over the past few seasons. He is the undisputed No. 1 option. Saros is the type of netminder who can make key saves when needed and carry his team far in a tournament like this. He also showed the ability to steal games. Most importantly, he brings calmness and confidence to any team. After a rocky start to his NHL career, Lukonen has improved greatly over the past two seasons and continued to play well for the Sabers this year, evolving into a player with the potential to be their franchise goaltender. By backing up Saros, the 24-year-old will gain valuable experience for future international tournaments. Raanta has been strong throughout his career, but has been plagued by injuries in recent years. The 34-year-old will add a veteran presence to the group and be a great role model. – Harpa Salo