After an exciting finish to the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, NHL teams are gearing up for the final stretch before the playoffs, with action returning on Saturday. Some players who participated in the tournament will join their clubs with a boost in momentum, while others will come back after less-than-impressive performances. Here’s a look at a few players with rising and falling stock as we head into the rest of the season.
Rising Stock
Brady Tkachuk, LW, Ottawa Senators
Brady Tkachuk finished the tournament not only as one of Team USA’s standout players but as one of the best in the entire competition. He left his mark on every game he played.
In Team USA’s opening match, Tkachuk scored two goals and delivered eight hits in a dominant 6-1 win over Team Finland. He ended the tournament with 22 hits over four games.
Tkachuk finished with three goals, tying for second-most in the tournament, and scored a key equalizer in the championship game against Team Canada, showcasing his clutch performance.
Jaccob Slavin, D, Carolina Hurricanes
Jaccob Slavin made a strong case for being considered the top defenseman in the NHL during this tournament. USA head coach Mike Sullivan echoed this sentiment after their loss to Canada in the final.
“Jaccob Slavin might be one of the best defending defensemen in the league, bar none,” Sullivan said.
Slavin was excellent throughout the tournament, but he truly stood out in the final game. He and his defensive partner, Brock Faber, led the team in ice time, with Slavin logging 28:32 minutes on the ice.
He played a crucial role in neutralizing Canada’s stars like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. The 30-year-old was constantly in the right position, blocking shots and disrupting plays. One notable moment was his vital block on Sidney Crosby, where Crosby had what seemed like an open net to score.
Mikael Granlund, C, Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars will be pleased with Mikael Granlund’s performance following his acquisition. He was one of Finland’s standout players throughout the tournament.
In three games, Granlund scored three goals and added one assist. He was one of only two players – the other being Detroit’s Lucas Raymond – not from Canada or the USA to finish in the top 10 for points, tying for third overall.
Granlund is on track to set a career-high in points this season, with four points in his first four games with the Stars before the tournament. His momentum from the 4 Nations Face-Off will certainly benefit both him and Dallas moving forward.
Honorable Mentions: Zach Werenski, Thomas Harley, Mitch Marner, Jake Guentzel, Lucas Raymond.
Falling Stock
Jack Hughes, C, New Jersey Devils
Jack Hughes is an elite player at the NHL level, currently sitting 10th in points league-wide. However, he struggled to make an impact during this tournament for the U.S.
In the championship game against Canada, Hughes finished with a minus-two rating and had only 16:20 of ice time, the fourth-lowest among his teammates.
Despite recording 24 goals and 41 assists in 57 games for the New Jersey Devils, Hughes only registered one secondary assist in the competition, which came on a Jake Guentzel goal to make it 4-1 against Finland.
Hughes also took a physical toll, getting bumped and hit multiple times, especially in the final game.
Elias Pettersson, C, Vancouver Canucks
This tournament was a great chance for Elias Pettersson to rise above the drama surrounding the Vancouver Canucks, but unfortunately, he fell short of expectations. He didn’t perform to his usual standards during the season, and that trend continued here.
The 26-year-old finished the tournament without a point, while the rest of Team Sweden’s top four players managed to score.
Including this tournament, Pettersson has only one point in his last seven games and has gone without a goal in his last 12 appearances.
Juuse Saros, G, Nashville Predators
Juuse Saros has been the backbone of the Nashville Predators, facing the most shots in the league over the past three NHL seasons. Despite this, he’s maintained a solid .910 save percentage in that time.
However, in this tournament, Saros wasn’t the reliable goaltender Finland needed for a deep run. In his two appearances, he posted a 3.96 goals-against average and a .870 save percentage, failing to secure a win for Finland.
Additionally, Saros didn’t start in Finland’s game against Canada after allowing six goals in their opening match against the U.S.
Honorable Mentions: Adam Fox, Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz.