Likely Sabres to Represent Countries in 4 Nations Face-Off

The Buffalo Sabres have a diverse roster comprised of players from six different nations. Four of those nations, the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland will field teams for the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off in mid-February. Wednesday, December 4th, each nation will announce its 23-man roster.

The event will take the place of the annual All-Star Game and instead be a best-on-best of countries instead of conferences. Team Sweden and Team Finland will announce their rosters at 2:00 pm ET, while Team USA and Team Canada will reveal their selections at 6:30 pm ET.

The Sabres have a total of 23 players on the current roster eligible to be named to one of the 4 Nations teams:

Canada

• Nicolas Aube-Kubel, F
• Zach Benson, F
• Dylan Cozens, F
• Tyson Kozak, F
• Peyton Krebs, F
• Beck Malenstyn, F
• Ryan McLeod, F
• Jack Quinn, F
• Jacob Bryson, D
• Bowen Byram, D
• Owen Power, D
• James Reimer, G

Finland

• Henri Jokiharju, D
• Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G

Sweden

• Rasmus Dahlin, D

United States

• Jordan Greenway, F
• Sam Lafferty, F
• Tage Thompson, F
• Alex Tuch, F
• Jason Zucker, F
• Connor Clifton, D
• Dennis Gilbert, D
• Mattias Samuelsson, D

So who is likely to make it for each nation? Let’s dive in.

Team Canada

Likely

The nation up north makes up the biggest portion of the team, with 14 Canadian players on the roster. There are certainly some talented up-and-comers in the group, but Canada is least likely to have any Sabres representation on the roster.

Not one Sabres player is considered a lock for the 4 Nations team. There are a couple of players that have a chance, however.

On the Bubble

Of all 14 players, defensemen Owen Power and Bowen Byram have the best chance at being named to Team Canada. Power probably edges out Byram, due to the slight edge in points, better underlying numbers, and his higher draft status.

Canada has some powerhouse names on the blueline though. Cale Makar was already named to the team. Evan Bouchard should be a lock. Brandon Montour and Dougie Hamilton are candidates to shore up the right side. That leaves potential for one or both of Power and Byram to slip in, among the likes of Travis Sanheim and Thomas Chabot.

Team Finland

Likely

The Sabres have a certified lock for Team Finland in their netminder, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Luukkonen’s 27.45 goals saved above expected over the past two seasons, per Evolving-Hockey, fifth-best in the NHL. It’s also the best total by any Finnish goalie, including Nashville’s Juuse Saros who has already been named to the roster.

On the Bubble

With only twelve Finnish defensemen playing in the NHL this season, Henri Jokiharju is just one peg below a lock to make the team. Jokiharju ranks seventh among those defensemen in Wins Above Replacement, per PuckLuck. Only former Sabres blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen ranks higher as a right shot.

Team Sweden

Likely

The only Swede on the Sabres roster is defenseman and team captain, Rasmus Dahlin. He’s virtually a lock to make the 4 Nations team representing the Sabres, leading all Swedish defensemen in PuckLuck’s WAR.

Only Victor Hedman, already named to the team, has more points as a Swedish defenseman. Not only should Dahlin be announced to the roster, but he should play a pivotal role in Team Sweden’s success.

Team USA

Likely

With the bounce-back season that he’s having, Tage Thompson has made it nearly impossible to be left off Team USA’s roster for the tournament. The Americans already named former Sabres captain Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews to the team. New Jersey’s Jack Hughes is also expected to make the roster, leaving little room at the center position.

Still, Thompson could see ample time on the wing and should be a powerplay force with the hardest shot in the NHL.

More Thompson: Sabres Star Deserves Early MVP Consideration

On the Bubble

Team USA is stacked with forward options, with players like Brock Nelson and Clayton Keller vying for the final spots. This leaves players like Jordan Greenway and Jason Zucker, who are having great seasons, unlikely to make the 4 Nations team.

Alex Tuch is the next closest to Thompson to making the USA roster. Tuch leads the Sabres with 22 points in 24 games, playing in all situations. His penalty-killing and defensive prowess could be useful to an American squad projected to have a lot of offense and skill.