How Team Canada might look at the 4 Nations Tournament

The NHL has introduced a new tournament consisting of 4 different Countries and therefore it is rightfully named the 4 Nations Tournament. The Colorado Avalanche have several players on some of the respective teams, including Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews.

The lines could change by the time the tournament begins, but as of Monday’s Team Canada practice, here is what each line looked like.

Of course, it’s practice in a tournament that is supposed to be a fun time. It has no bearing on any team’s season record. In a way, it is basically like a mini trip to help unwind and have some fun while being teammates with some of your rivals (or friends) who play on various teams across the NHL. It is certainly possible that each of the teams takes this tournament seriously, which would encourage the NHL to bring it back in following seasons.

4 NATIONS FACE-OFF SCHEDULE

At Bell Centre, Montreal

Wednesday, Feb. 12
Canada vs. Sweden, 8 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS

Thursday, Feb. 13
United States vs. Finland, 8 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS

Saturday, Feb. 15
Finland vs. Sweden, 1 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS
United States vs. Canada, 8 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS

At TD Garden, Boston

Monday, Feb. 17
Canada vs. Finland, 1 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS
Sweden vs. United States, 8 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS

Thursday, Feb. 20
Championship game, 8 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS

Colorado Avalanche teammates (current and former) will face off against each other

As previously mentioned, Nathan MacKinnon joins Cale Makar and Devon Toews on Team Canada. According to the 4 Nations schedule, although Team Sweden consists of zero Avalanche/former Avalanche players, Canada vs Finland will have some on both sides.

That’s right. Arturri Lehkonen will face off against the three Avalanche on Team Canada, but he won’t be alone. Joining Lehkonen is former teammate Mikko Rantanen, who was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in January. The two meet again, and will enjoy a fun battle against MacKinnon, Makar and Toews.

That particular trade shook up the NHL and although there are various reports on the matter, probably shook up the Avalanche for a little while. Any time there’s a departure of a longtime teammate, it’s a difficult situation. At the end of the day, all of these teammates get to enjoy a fun and competitive game, while also getting some time to catch up. Rantanen was loved by his Avalanche teammates, and while they’re all there to win, catching up is definitely going to be on the agenda.

While I do expect every Avalanche player to be at their best, the last thing I want is for any of them to suffer an injury during an exhibition game. Anything can happen, but these are the best of the best on the team and if something tragic happens on the ice, I would expect these players to question whether or not they want to participate in the future, as I think that this tournament has a good chance to be a thing for years to come.