These Rangers could join Adam Fox, Mika Zibanejad in 4 Nations Face-Off

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes
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You can’t blame New York Rangers fans who’ve tuned into the 2024 Summer Olympics to start looking ahead to the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. It’ll be the first time since 2014 that NHL players will participate in the Olympics, and they’re committed to play in 2030, as well.

There’ll be a taste of what’s to come in 2026 this season when the NHL holds the 4 Nations Face-Off from Feb. 15-20.

The 4 Nations Face-Off includes Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States. The tournament will replace the NHL All-Star Game this season and is set to be played at Bell Centre in Montreal and TD Garden in Boston. This will be the first best-on-best tournament since the World Cup of Hockey was played in Toronto in 2016. 

The Rangers are already represented in the tournament. Adam Fox was named as part of the first six players for the United States in June, and Mika Zibanejad was similarly selected to play for Sweden.

Fox could play on a defensive pair alongside his former teammate and childhood friend, Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who was also among the first six players named to the U.S. roster.

The defensemen previously played on the United States National Team Development Program together and in 2017 helped the U.S. win the gold medal at the World Junior Championship.

“He’s a really special player and I’m looking forward to playing with him,” Toronto Maple Leafs star and U.S. teammate Auston Matthews said in Las Vegas ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft.

Fox also helped the United States win a bronze medal at the 2018 WJC. And he represented the U.S. in the 2019 World Championship. 

“I told him I’m thrilled to have him on my side for once instead of having to figure out how to defend against him,” said United States coach Mike Sullivan, who’s also coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Zibanejad will slot in as a top-six center for Sweden. He represented his country most recently at the 2018 World Hockey Championship helping his Sweden win gold. He also captured a gold medal with Sweden at the 2012 World Junior Championship.

The remaining players for the tournament have yet to be announced. There are certainly other Rangers who could join Zibanejad and Fox come February.  

Related: Igor Shesterkin named top goalie by NHL Network

Potential Rangers candidates for 4 Nations Face-Off

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Carolina Hurricanes at New York Rangers
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The other four players named to Team USA along with Fox, McAvoy and Matthews include 2024 Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks) and forwards Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights), and Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers). Sullivan and U.S. general manager Bill Guerin now have tough decisions to make on the rest of the roster.

Two Rangers are included in NHL.com’s recent roster projection for the United States.  After making his first NHL All-Star game and notching a career-high 77 points, Vincent Trocheck is projected to be selected to play for the U.S.

The 31-year-old center knows how to perform in the biggest moments and is a complete player. He led the Rangers with 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 16 Stanley Cup Playoff games this past spring. Trocheck can play on both special teams and is one of the League’s best at winning face-offs. He also played for the United States at the most recent World Cup and scored one goal in three games.

NHL.com sees Trocheck centering a third line with Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield and elite scorer Jake Guentzel, who signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning this summer.

K’Andre Miller is also in the running for a spot on the U.S. roster. The 24-year-old defenseman will likely battle for the sixth defenseman role, or serve as the team’s extra defenseman if chosen. 

Miller represented the United States at both the 2019 and 2020 World Junior Championships, helping them win a silver medal that first year.

The first six players named for Finland were goalie Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators), forwards Aleksander Barkov (Panthers), Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes) and Mikko Rantanen (Colorado Avalanche), and defensemen Miro Heiskanen (Dallas Stars) and Esa Lindell (Stars). 

Despite being left off from NHL.com’s projection for Finland’s lineup, Kaapo Kakko could make the team with a strong start in the upcoming season with the Rangers.

If he earns an opportunity, Kakko will likely play a bottom-six role for Finland. Kakko has had success in international play, helping Finland win the gold medal at the 2019 World Junior Championship, when he scored the Golden Goal. 

Although the odds have yet to be announced for the tournament, Canada is the clear favorite. Their star-studded first six players selected include forwards Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), 2024 Hart Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche), Brad Marchand (Bruins), and Brayden Point (Lightning), along with defenseman Cale Makar (Avalanche). 

After having a breakout year last season, Alexis Lafreniere is projected to make Team Canada according to NHL.com. Due to the star power of Canada’s roster, Lafreniere likely will have limited playing time if he does make the team.

In 2020, Lafreniere helped Canada win the gold medal at the World Junior Championship and was named the tournament’s best forward after he finished with 10 points (four goals, six assists). He also played in the 2019 WJC for Canada.

The 4 Nations Faceoff will offer an exciting preview of the 2026 Winter Olympics. NHL players will trade All-Star jerseys for their country’s sweaters with national pride on the line. Two Rangers are confirmed to play in the tournament, but it’s likely more teammates will join them in Montreal and Boston.

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