After the completion of the 2023-24 season and the initial wave of free agency, NHL.com released updated projections for who’d likely be selected for the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off which will take place in Boston and Montreal in February.
Six players have already been announced from each roster of the Olympic-caliber rosters from the United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden, including two Bruins — Charlie McAvoy will represent team USA and Brad Marchand will play for Canada.
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NHL.com (which is run by the league but has no role in selecting the teams) projected the rest of the rosters for each of the four teams.
The actual rosters will be announced between Nov. 29 and Dec. 2.
The projections had two other Bruins playing in the event.
USA
Bruins in: McAvoy
Projected Bruins: Jeremy Swayman — The USA’s goalie situation is likely going to come down to four guys for three spots – Swayman, Connor Kellebuyck, Thatcher Demko and Jake Oettinger. NHL.com has Oettinger as the last man out.
Bruins who could make a push to get in: If this event were a year later or even if the rosters were picked much later, Mason Lohrei’s playoff performance might have been a springboard toward him getting consideration. He likely doesn’t have enough time to get there.
Canada
Bruins in: Marchand
Projected Bruins: None
Bruins who could make a push to get in: There’s nobody close. Morgan Geekie, Matt Poitras and Justin Brazeau are the Bruins next most worth Canadians and none are close to consideration.
Sweden
Sweden’s Hampus Lindholm celebrates victory of his team over Switzerland in the Ice Hockey World Championships final match in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, May 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)AP
Bruins in: None.
Projected Bruins: Elias Lindholm, Hampus Lindholm — It would be surprising if both Lindholms (who are not related) aren’t on Team Sweden and playing prominent roles.
Former Bruins: Linus Ullmark
Bruins who could make a push to get in: Fabian Lysell is Boston’s next closest Swede. If he makes the team and has a terrific start to the season and some of the more established players get hurt, it is, in theory, possible.
Finland
Bruins in: None
Projected Bruins: None.
Bruins who could make a push to get in: The Bruins only Finn in the NHL is Joonas Korpisalo and that’s not guaranteed.
BUT…
If there were an injury to a Finnish goaltender and Korpisalo gets off to a good start, it would be him, Antti Raanta, who spent much of last year in the AHL, or Kevin Lankinen. So not likely, but not entirely impossible.
