Most Montreal Canadiens players (aside from captain Nick Suzuki) typically enjoy a well-deserved break during NHL All-Star weekend. However, this winter could bring an exciting twist as the NHL’s first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off tournament makes its debut.
Running from February 12 to 20 and hosted in Montreal and Boston, the tournament is shaping up to be an Olympic preview, showcasing hockey powerhouses Canada, the USA, Finland, and Sweden.
While rosters have yet to be finalized, the stakes are high with national pride on the line. And given how the season has gone so far, a few Canadiens players could swap their red, white, and blue jerseys for their country’s colours if selected.
Here are four realistic candidates.
1. Nick Suzuki — Canada
Canada’s roster is, as always, stacked with offensive talent, as superstars Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid are poised to share the same international ice for the first time.
While Nick Suzuki doesn’t often appear on most experts’ Canada roster projections, his outstanding 200-foot game and point-per-game pace this season might make him too valuable to overlook.
As a result, he could very well earn a spot as an extra forward or find a role in the bottom six, especially if injuries occur.
2. Cole Caufield — USA
With 12 goals in 17 games this season, Cole Caufield is proving he’s every bit the “elite sniper” Canadiens fans have long touted him to be.
If he keeps up this scoring pace, Team USA would be hard-pressed to exclude the Wisconsin native from a lineup already stacked with offensive firepower, including stars like Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk (who have already made the team).
Caufield’s ability to find the back of the net in high-pressure moments could make him an invaluable asset in a short tournament format like the 4 Nations Face-Off.
3. Sam Montembeault — Canada
Joining the Canadiens as a waiver pickup back in 2021, Sam Montembeault has steadily turned into a dependable starting goalie for Montreal.
While his season’s been a bit shaky since logging a shutout in the Habs’ home opener, Canada is desperate for someone to step up between the pipes.
With no clear starter and few viable options in goal, Montemebault, who led Canada to gold at the 2023 World Championships, could once again be getting the call.
Whether he starts or sits on the bench remains to be seen.
4. Patrik Laine — Finland
Patrik Laine last appeared in an NHL game in December 2023. Once among the league’s most dominant snipers, he seemed poised for a fresh start after being acquired by the Canadiens this summer. However, as he recovers from a preseason injury, the 26-year-old is unlikely to return before the tournament’s early December roster cutoff.
Still, he remains in contention for a spot with Finland.
“At this point, there is another month and we’ll see where we are at, for everybody,” Finland GM Jere Lehtinen told NHL.com earlier this month. “It’s about health and how the players look and how they are playing. When it is time, then we’ll know. Right now, we haven’t made any decisions.”