Honestly, the four nations canada roster felt like a fever dream until the puck actually dropped in Montreal. For years, we’ve been complaining about the lack of best-on-best hockey, and then suddenly, we’re staring at a lineup that features Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid on the same sheet of ice. It’s the kind of thing that makes you want to check your pulse. But getting to that final 23-man list wasn't just a matter of picking the highest overalls in a video game; it was a grueling process of salary cap math, injury management, and some seriously difficult phone calls made by GM Don Sweeney.
When you look at the names, it's easy to see why the hockey world stopped moving for a week.
The Core That Anchored the Roster
The initial "First Six" were basically written in permanent marker the second the tournament was announced. You had Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand, Brayden Point, and Cale Makar. No surprises there. But it’s the way the rest of the puzzle pieces fit—or didn’t fit—that defines this squad.
Take the blue line, for instance. We all knew Makar would be the engine, but the inclusion of Devon Toews was a masterstroke in chemistry. They play together in Colorado, and in a short tournament where you only get a couple of practices, that "plug-and-play" familiarity is worth its weight in gold. Then you have the veteran presence of Drew Doughty, who actually wasn't on the original list. He stepped in as a replacement for Alex Pietrangelo, bringing that "I’ve won everything" energy that Canada thrives on.
The Forward Depth (And the Snubs)
The forward group was a meat grinder. You’ve got the high-octane skill of Mitch Marner and Sam Reinhart, mixed with the sheer "annoyance factor" of guys like Sam Bennett and Travis Konecny.
- Sidney Crosby (C): The captain. Still the heart of the team at 37.
- Connor McDavid (A): The best player on the planet, finally wearing the Maple Leaf in a best-on-best setting.
- Nathan MacKinnon (A): The reigning tournament MVP who led everyone in goals.
- Mark Stone: The "Captain Mark Stone" energy was vital, especially coming off his Stanley Cup pedigree with Vegas.
People were up in arms about the snubs, though. Mark Scheifele? Left off. Connor Bedard? Too young for this specific window, according to the brass, though he’s clearly the future. Even Zach Hyman, despite his goal-scoring heroics, found himself on the outside looking in for the final cut. It sort of shows you how absurdly deep Canada is when a 50-goal scorer isn't a lock.
Between the Pipes: The Biggest Question Mark
If there was a "weak" spot in the four nations canada roster, everyone pointed to the crease. Without a clear-cut Carey Price or Roberto Luongo in their prime, Canada went with a "hot hand" committee. Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, and Sam Montembeault were the trio.
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Montembeault was the sentimental favorite playing in Montreal, but Adin Hill’s experience winning a Cup in Vegas gave him that edge in the big moments. They didn't need a goalie to steal every game; they just needed someone who wouldn't give away the easy ones while the superstar forwards did their thing.
Why Chemistry Overruled Pure Stats
Jon Cooper, the head coach, is a guy who values roles. He didn't just want the 13 best centers in the league, even though Canada could probably field that. He wanted guys who could kill penalties. He wanted Anthony Cirelli to be a defensive nightmare for the opposition. He wanted Brandon Hagel to chase down pucks in the corners.
It wasn't about the name on the back of the jersey as much as it was about the role that name could play for 60 minutes.
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The Defense: Stability Meets Speed
Beyond the Makar-Toews pairing, the blue line was built to survive. Josh Morrissey brought that elite puck-moving ability from Winnipeg, while Colton Parayko and Travis Sanheim provided the size needed to clear the front of the net.
When Shea Theodore went down early, Thomas Harley got the call. It was a bold move, but Harley’s skating fits the modern game perfectly. Canada didn't want lumbering defenders; they wanted guys who could transition the puck to McDavid in under two seconds.
What This Roster Means for the Future
Winning the 4 Nations Face-Off wasn't just about a trophy; it was a dress rehearsal for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. About 19 of the players from this roster are expected to make that Olympic jump. We saw McDavid score the tournament-winning goal in overtime against the U.S., a moment that felt like a passing of the torch from Crosby to the next generation of leadership.
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The reality is, the four nations canada roster proved that the Canadian hockey factory is still humming. The debates will never end—honestly, that's half the fun of being a hockey fan—but the results on the ice in early 2025 silenced a lot of the doubters.
If you're looking to track how these players are performing now as they transition toward the Olympics, keep an eye on the injury reports and the power-play production of the Makar-McDavid-Crosby unit. That trio is basically a cheat code. The next step for any fan is to watch how the fringe players, the "role guys" like Jarvis and Cirelli, handle the increased pressure of the NHL playoffs, as that’s usually where the Olympic roster spots are truly won or lost.
Check the current NHL standings to see which of these stars are hitting their peak at the right time. Focus specifically on the plus-minus and puck possession metrics of the defensive pairings, as those will be the deciding factors for the final Olympic selections in Milan.