Top 10 Players in the 4 Nation’s Face-Off NHL Tournament Ranked
Jake Burkey
Host · Writer
10. Matthew Tkachuk, Left Wing, United States
Matthew Tkachuk is the exact type of player you want in this tournament. His physical presence, playmaking ability, and sneaky shots are things to watch. Tkachuk plays a very gritty game and isn’t afraid to get in the corners and under the opponents' skin. He will be crucial if the United States wants to win this tournament.
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1. Connor McDavid, Center, Canada
This comes with no surprise with Connor McDavid at No. 1. He is by far the best hockey player in the world and the most skilled player we’ve ever seen play the game. His pure speed, puck skills, and consistency each year in the NHL make him special. If Canada wants to go far, they need McDavid to do “McDavid-like things” in this tournament.
2. Nathan MacKinnon, Center, Canada
Nathan MacKinnon won the Hart Trophy (NHL MVP) last year and has been one of the best hockey players in the world for quite some time now. He leads the NHL in points and is poised to be a massive part of Canada’s offense as they head into the 4 Nations tournament.
3. Cale Makar, Defense, Canada
Cale Makar can make an impact all over the ice using his speed, particularly in gaining entry in the offensive zone and finding open teammates. Makar is another weapon for Canada to utilize on its lethal powerplay.
4. Auston Matthews, Center, United States
Auston Matthews is set to captain Team USA, and for good reason. He has one of, if not the best, releases in the entire NHL. Matthews scored one shy of 70 goals last year, with 69, leading the league. He will be an essential part of the Americans' offense and will be looked upon to lead by example.
5. Connor Hellebuyck, Goalie, United States
Connor Hellebuyck won the Vezina trophy, awarded to the best goaltender, last season. He’s on pace to do it again with great numbers, and his team is sitting atop the league with a 39-14-3 record.
6. Aleksander Barkov, Center, Finland
Aleksander Barkov is an unbelievable two-way forward coming off a Stanley Cup-winning season with the Florida Panthers. Barkov is the leader of the Finnish roster and will be a force alongside winger Mikko Rantanen. Finland is a sneaky team that could surprise many people.
7. Sidney Crosby, Center, Canada
Of course, this player needs no introduction. Sidney Crosby is in his 20th NHL season and is set to captain Canada for the 4 Nations tournament. He has a hall-of-fame career, including three Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals, and a ridiculous stat line that has seen him never finish below a point per game in a single season in his entire NHL career.
8. Mitch Marner, Right Wing, Canada
Mitch Marner is a quick, shifty, and dynamic playmaking forward with an elite hockey IQ. He will face teammate Auston Matthews when Canada plays the United States on Saturday night.
9. Jack Hughes, Center, United States
Jack Hughes has a similar style to Marner, a smaller forward with elite speed and excellent playmaking ability. Hughes is dangerous all over the ice, and I'll be curious to see how he meshes with Auston Matthews in this tournament if they end up on the same line. Regardless, I’d fully expect Hughes to find Matthews for a few goals on the powerplay.
10. Matthew Tkachuk, Left Wing, United States
Matthew Tkachuk is the exact type of player you want in this tournament. His physical presence, playmaking ability, and sneaky shots are things to watch. Tkachuk plays a very gritty game and isn’t afraid to get in the corners and under the opponents' skin. He will be crucial if the United States wants to win this tournament.
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1. Connor McDavid, Center, Canada
This comes with no surprise with Connor McDavid at No. 1. He is by far the best hockey player in the world and the most skilled player we’ve ever seen play the game. His pure speed, puck skills, and consistency each year in the NHL make him special. If Canada wants to go far, they need McDavid to do “McDavid-like things” in this tournament.
