Nylander, Hedman among initial six players for Sweden in 2025 4 Nations Face-Off
A handful of very talented players have had their names called to represent their country in a new event.
On Friday, Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning), Erik Karlsson (Pittsburgh Penguins), Gustav Forsling (Florida Panthers), Filip Forsberg (Nashville Predators), Mika Zibanejad (New York Rangers) and William Nylander (Toronto Maple Leafs) have been revealed as the first six players named to Sweden’s roster for the inaugural NHL 4-Nations Faceoff.
Här är de sex första spelarna att representera Sverige i #4Nations Face-off 🇸🇪
Here are your first six players selected by Sweden to compete in the #4Nations Face-off! 🇸🇪@NHL @NHLPA @Trekronorse pic.twitter.com/6JIRTMqsla
Many of these players have represented Sweden throughout their careers, though it has been longer than others.
Hedman and Karlsson were both on Tre Kronor at this past spring’s IIHF Men’s World Championship. The duo was key to helping the team win the bronze medal. The two also participated in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Hedman’s experience with the national team in Czechia was his first bit of international duty since 2017, the year Sweden won gold at the World Championships.
Karlsson won the silver medal with Sweden at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, but has never won gold in any major international competition.
Zibanejad will be making just his second appearance with Team Sweden on the senior stage. The Rangers’ sniper represented his nation at the 2018 IIHF Men’s World Championship, winning the gold medal.
Forsling has become one of the more underrated blueliners in recent years. A former waiver wire pickup, he has been making a name for himself in Florida, playing a key part in the Panthers winning the franchise’s first Stanley Cup earlier this week. The last time Forsling played for Team Sweden was during the EuroHockey Tour during the 2016-17 season.
Forsberg was another member of that World Cup roster in 2016, having played for Sweden a couple of times on the senior stage. The last time the 29-year-old donned his nation’s colors was at the 2018 Worlds.
Over the last few years, Nylander has become the face of Swedish hockey. His skill and ability have made him a fan favorite in his home nation, though polarizing over here in North America. The Calgary-born player recently played with his fellow Swedes at the 2022 Worlds.
The first-ever NHL 4-Nations Faceoff will take place in February 2025. The first four games will be played at the Bell Centre in Montreal, while the final three, including the championship game, will be held inside TD Garden in Boston. Sweden will kick off the tournament by taking on Canada on Feb. 12, before taking on Finland and the United States. The championship game is scheduled for Feb. 20.