Barkov, Forsling, Tkachuk named to 4 Nations Face-Off rosters

At least three members of the Florida Panthers are set to represent their countries at next year’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

On Friday, Aleksander Barkov (Finland), Matthew Tkachuk (USA) and Gustav Forsling (Sweden) were all among the first six players to be selected by their respective countries for the new international tournament that’s set to take place in February 2025.

It’s only been a few days since Aleksander Barkov became the first Finnish captain in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup and it would be to nobody’s surprise if he were to captain the Finnish national team next winter and at the 2026 Olympics.

Barkov, 28, has represented Finland at the World Juniors, World Cup of Hockey, World Championships — winning Silver in 2016 — and the 2014 Sochi Olympics — where he won a Bronze medal as a teenager. 

Gustav Forsling has some experience representing his country, playing in two World Juniors and captaining Sweden at the 2016 tournament. 

Besides making a senior men’s appearance at the 2015-16 Euro Hockey Tour, the 28-year-old has never played for his country at the senior IIHF level. 

A few years ago, Forsling was desperately trying to make an NHL team — the national team wasn’t on his mind. 

He played the entire 2019-20 season in the AHL and would be placed on waivers in January 2021 by the Carolina Hurricanes. 

Florida claimed him and the rest is history. 

“I don’t think I’ve really understood it yet, It’s been very quick,” Forsling said when asked about his journey. “It’s hard to wrap that around my head right now. It’s a very good feeling. I’ve worked very hard to be in this position.”

Like Forsling, American forward Matthew Tkachuk has experience playing for his country, but only at the junior level.

Tkachuk, 26, joined the likes of other American superstars like Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel in getting the early nod for Team USA. It should be no surprise that the Panthers’ All-Star winger will be dawning the red, white and blue in what would be his senior team debut. 

Between the last true “best on best” international hockey tournament being back in 2016 with the World Cup of Hockey, and with NHL players not going to the Olympics since 2014, this 4 Nations tournament will be a first for many of the players involved. 

The only high-end international tournament that NHL players could play in since 2016 are the World Championships. That tournament happens every year, but it is played during the second and third rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs — so many players are still playing in the NHL or they just don’t want to go. 

Next year’s 4 Nations Face-Off is really a tune up for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina. Fans and players get to experience best on best international hockey for the first time in nearly a decade and the four countries involved: Canada, USA, Sweden and Finland, will get a trial before they need to pick their Olympic squad for the following year.

“That’s the ultimate goal I feel like, the Olympics would be a very cool experience if I would make the team there too,” Forsling said. “That’s kind of what we’re playing for, to get to the Olympics.”

While Florida already has three of their guys locked in for next year’s tournament, there should be a few more joining when the full rosters come out in 2025. 

For Finland, it would be no surprise if all four of the Panthers’ Finns make the team; Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikklola are all likely to make the team. 

Team Canada will have more than a few options at their disposal if they choose to look at the Stanley Cup Champions roster. Sam Reinhart will more than likely make the team and Carter Verhaeghe will have a very good chance as well. 

On the blueline, Canada may take a look at Aaron Ekblad — who has plenty of international experience under his belt — and Brandon Montour. 

As for Sweden, Florida’s PK specialist Kevin Stenlund is a sleeper pick for the team and would warrant a call if the Swedes want to bring a more defensive, hard forechecking body with them to Montreal and Boston.   

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is on the outside looking in, but the veteran’s presence could help fill out the final spots of the team.

The 4 Nations round-robin tournament will be from Feb. 12 to Feb. 20, with games being played in Montreal and Boston.