Grading 4 Nations Face-Off rosters, plus snubs and surprises - ESPN

The first-ever NHL/NHLPA 4 Nations Face-Off is many things.

It's a midseason exhibition tournament that replaces the NHL All-Star Game for a change of pace. It's an antipasto of international hockey ahead of the Italian feast of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. It's also the first time that a generation of Canadian and American superstars get to battle for bragging rights and a championship — although Sweden and Finland will have something to say about that.

On Wednesday, those four nations revealed their rosters for the 4 Nations Face-Off, taking place from Feb. 12-20 in Montreal and Boston. Some of the names are very expected, and some of the selections are a bit surprising.

Here's how the rosters grade out — at each position group and overall — and which NHL players might be feeling snubbed by their home nations after these roster reveals.

Note: Players are listed alphabetically within each position group. Players listed with an asterisk were on the original selection lists in June.

Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers
Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins*
Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning
Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes
Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche*
Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins*
Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers*
Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning*
Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers
Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights

Having Connor McDavid as the fulcrum of one scoring line with the prides of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia — Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon — anchoring a second line is an unfathomable advantage. Having the three of them join defenseman Cale Makar on a power play feels like it should violate an international hockey