The 4 Nations Face-off is getting closer, with all rosters set to be revealed on Wednesday. However, on Tuesday, insider Chris Johnston disclosed some of the roster decisions, leaving fans stunned to learn that players like Tage Thompson and Cole Caufield were snubbed from Team USA.
For the first time since the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, the best players in the world will face off, competing for their countries in hockey.
NHL players are set to participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics, but before that, the 4 Nations Face-Off will take place in February 2025 in Montreal, where players from the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland will compete. It’s a rare and exciting opportunity to see NHL players in international action.
Tage Thompson snubbed
While the official rosters for all four nations will be revealed on Wednesday, on Tuesday, top NHL insider Chris Johnston shared some of the tough decisions made by the head coaches.
According to Johnston, both Cole Caufield and Tage Thompson—who have had excellent starts to the season with the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres, respectively—are expected to be left off the rosters. Instead, players like the Rangers’ Vincent Trocheck and Chris Kreider, who’ve had underwhelming starts to the season, are likely to make the team.
Fans angry with 4 Nation roster
Tage Thompson has 13 goals and 20 points in 20 games this season, while Caufield has recorded 16 goals and 23 points in 25 games. Meanwhile, Trocheck and Kreider have posted just 12 and 10 points, respectively.
“It’s really about prioritizing experience over young talent,” Johnston said on TSN’s Insider Trading. “Vincent Trocheck, Chris Kreider, and Brock Nelson are all players we expect to make [Team USA] at the bottom end of the forward lineup, and that comes at the expense of some of those talented young players.”
However, many fans on social media felt that the experience argument didn’t hold up and were vocal about their frustrations.
“When you have a chance to take a center with 12 points in 24 games this season, you absolutely have to do it,” one user wrote sarcastically.
“No Caufield is bonkers, IMO,” another commented.
“What do Kreider and Trocheck have on USA Hockey? I don’t get it,” a third added.
“Not taking Tage just seems absurd. He needs to be on the roster,” a fourth said.
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