The finalized rosters for the NHL's 4 Nations tournament include Sidney Crosby
With the 4-Nations Face-Off set to commence, the participating teams have officially announced their rosters. Following a two-game hiatus due to an arm injury, Sidney Crosby, the captain of Team Canada, returned to practice on Monday in Brossard, Quebec. A seasoned international star, Crosby boasts an impressive resume, having clinched victories at the 2005 World Junior Championship, 2015 Men's World Championship, 2016 World Cup of Hockey, and Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014.
At 37, Crosby is the oldest player in the tournament, surpassing Scott Niedermayer after assuming the captaincy in Sochi in 2014. His legacy links the NHL's previous golden international era to the current one, which commences this week and, interestingly, continues at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Concurrently, defenseman Drew Doughty, a member of Canada's Olympic squads in 2010 and 2014, returned from a fractured ankle injury to join the team as an injury replacement for Alex Pietrangelo, another veteran gold medalist.
Meanwhile, Team USA was hit with a significant blow when Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Quinn Hughes announced his withdrawal due to an oblique injury. His unavailability means he won't have the chance to share the ice with his brother Jack, a forward for the New Jersey Devils. Quinn Hughes was subsequently replaced on the U.S. roster by Jake Sanderson, a 22-year-old defenseman playing for the Ottawa Senators.
The Americans last triumphed on the international stage during the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. Their current squad includes Keith Tkachuk's sons Matthew and Brady, both of whom are set to feature in the lineup.
As for Finland, their blue line is struggling with injuries and a lack of depth, with the best defender, Miro Heiskanen, joining Jani Hakanpaa and Rasmus Ristolainen on the sidelines.
The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament will commence with Canada taking on Sweden on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 8 p.m. ET at the Bell Centre in Montreal, before shifting to Boston for the final round-robin games on Feb. 17. The championship match will take place on Feb. 20.
While the news was positive for Crosby and Canada, the other three nations weren't as fortunate.
Matthew Tkachuk, a forward for the Calgary Flames, is part of Team USA's roster, joining his brother Brady Tkachuk, who also plays in the NHL, this time for the Ottawa Senators. Despite Quinn Hughes' withdrawal due to an oblique injury, Matthew and Brady will still have the opportunity to represent their team.
In the same tournament, Sidney Crosby, despite being the oldest player, continues to shine, showing his international prowess with previous victories at the World Junior Championship, Men's World Championship, World Cup of Hockey, and Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014.
The Tkachuk brothers' participation in the 4-Nations Face-Off adds to the NHL's influence in this tournament, following the footsteps of their father, Keith Tkachuk, who also had a prolific NHL career.
The absence of Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Quinn Hughes is a significant blow to Team USA, leaving a gap that substitute Jake Sanderson will need to fill effectively, especially when playing alongside his brother Jack Hughes, a forward for the New Jersey Devils.
