Filip Gustavsson could be a game-changer for Sweden’s 4 Nations Face-Off

With the release of the rosters for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, debate has sprung up around the hockey world.

One conversation that has gone under the radar is the goalie situation with Team Sweden. It was easy to see why the team would take New Jersey Devils netminder Jacob Markström, along with Linus Ullmark of the Ottawa Senators. Ullmark is just over a year removed from taking home the Vezina Trophy, while Markström is a former Vezina candidate himself.

However, the guy to keep an eye on is Minnesota Wild backstop Filip Gustavsson. He has taken the starting role from veteran Marc-Andre Fleury and has quietly been one of the better goaltenders in the NHL this season. The 6-foot-2 tender is first in both goals-against average (2.04) and save percentage (.929) among qualified goaltenders, sitting above reigning Vezina winner and Team USA netminder Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets.

It’s not like Gustavsson isn’t used to playing in big games for his country, either. He played the bulk of the minutes for Sweden at the IIHF Men’s World Championship later year, helping the Swedes win bronze. He was also named the best goaltender at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship despite settling for silver. Gustavsson also won silver for Sweden at the 2015 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 2016 IIHF Men’s Under-18 Championship.

On Thursday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, former NHL netminder Carter Hutton joined Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk to discuss why Gustavsson could be the difference maker for Tre Kronor in the upcoming tournament.

Carter Hutton: These are three big-name goalies…with Filip Gustavsson, with the success he’s had this year, he’s going to be pretty impressive. I think Gustavsson is the smoothest transition to a guy that’s played well and he’s played in a lot of big games so far this season. So, I think he’s going to be a guy to watch in this tournament.

You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…