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Kristen Shilton, ESPN NHL reporterNov 4, 2024, 07:00 AM ET
CloseKristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN.
There’s something to be said for having options. Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off GM Don Sweeney — alongside associate GM Jim Nill — is going to have an abundance of them when it comes to setting his country’s roster for the upcoming tournament.
We’re just under a month away from the Dec. 2 deadline for management of each country — that’s Canada, the USA, Finland and Sweden — to submit their roster of 20 skaters and three goaltenders for the event taking place on Feb. 12-20.
The NHL has eschewed its usual All-Star Game in favor of this tournament, but have no fear: Canada alone will practically carry enough talent to mirror that of any league-wide showcase.
Choosing from the country’s best is a tantalizing thought. Given the fortune of faces to choose from, who will actually make Sweeney’s squad? And which players will be the toughest to leave off the list?
Oh, and — who exactly is going to tend goal for this team?
Each nation announced six players that would be on the team back on June 28. For Canada, that’s defenseman Cale Makar, along with forwards Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand, Connor McDavid and Brayden Point.
The countdown is officially on for decision day. The roster itself is bound to contain a surprise (or two) so instead of a full-blown projection, we’re breaking down each position with the skaters most likely to be a lock, and the ones on whom a decision will be hardest.
Centers
The shoo-ins: Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon
Stating the obvious: Canada will be deep down the middle. That’s true whether MacKinnon is lining up there or sliding to the wing (something he has already told reporters he’s open to doing) and Brayden Point ends up in this category. Either way, when you can roll out these three in any capacity on the same lineup card, you’re doing alright.
Having Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid on the same…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/42174721/nhl-2024-25-4-nations-face-canada-roster-lineup-positions
Author : Kristen Shilton
Publish date : 2024-11-04 11:54:45
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