Chris Johnston of TSN’s Insider Trading reported tonight that it appears Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield and Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson will not be a part of Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Both Caufield and Thompson have had strong starts to the season but were reportedly left off the roster as Team USA prioritized experience over young skill.
It’s a tough decision for Team USA, but one that makes sense given that the players they chose will be a better fit in the team’s bottom six forward group. Johnston floated the names of Vincent Trocheck, Chris Kreider and Brock Nelson as the players likely to make the team over Caufield and Thompson.
In other evening notes:
- The Nashville Predators reportedly tried to acquire goaltender Justus Annunen from the Colorado Avalanche last season in the Yakov Trenin deal (as per Predators reporter Brooks Bratten). The Predators scouts coveted Annunen for quite a while and are thrilled to have him in the fold. The 24-year-old has dressed in 11 games this season with Colorado, posting pedestrian numbers with a 6-4 record and a .872 save percentage. While those numbers certainly don’t jump off the page, Annunen was solid last season in 14 NHL games, posting a .928 save percentage and a 2.25 goals-against average.
- Jeff Marek of Daily Faceoff tweeted today that Boston University is interested in potential 2025 first-overall pick Michael Misa. The 17-year-old has been tearing up the Ontario Hockey League this season with the Saginaw Spirit, tallying 25 goals and 24 assists in 25 games. The Oakville, Ontario native is in his third full season in the OHL and has registered 76 goals and 104 assists in 137 career OHL games. BU is also apparently interested in Misa’s brother, Luke Misa, who is a Calgary Flames prospect playing for the Brampton Steelheads. Luke is having a nice season in Brampton, scoring 13 goals and adding 19 assists in 24 games.
Young skill? Tage is 27.
@DarkSide830 — And, he’s a 6’6″ behemoth with a cannon of a slapper, especially dangerous from Ovechkin’s office. Tage can really peg the Wow-O-Meter.
I get taking Kreider for his power play prowess, but Trochek or Nelson over Caufield & Thompson? That would be a mistake
I can maybe see Caufield be left off (nothing against him), but Thompson should be a lock. Bigger problem with leaving them both off is they both play RW, which isn’t as deep a position as LW for USA.
My USA roster (not sure of J.T. Miller’s availability, so I’ll leave him off here):
Forwards:
Matthews
Eichel
J. Hughes
Larkin
B. Tkachuk
M. Tkachuk
Connor
Boldy
Guentzel
Kreider
Thompson
Boeser
Keller
Defense:
McAvoy
Q. Hughes
Werenski
Slavin
Fox
Carlson
Faber
(Would love to have McDonough for his leadership though).
Goalies:
Hellebucyk
Oettinger
Quick (#3 guy isn’t gonna play, so I’ll go with the vet for leasership).
I’m thinking maybe Wolf for the 3rd goalie position. Set up for future international play.
I could go with that. Wolf is definately the next one up for USA in future tournaments.
not seeing Kane or DeBrincat here is surprising, i may be biased being a Blackhawks fan over 2 former fan favorites but it is a very deep list, if theyre looking for experienced players over “youth” then why are Caufield and Thompson left off but supposedly Boldy is there who i believe is younger than both
The NHL has clearly been able to indoctrinate the mice to chase the cheese, To get idiot’s to get excited about a random, And meaningless exhibition, And separate the simpletons from there money!!! Two weeks of this crap during the season.
Would you rather the All-star be played then? That’s even worse in my books.
Boo hoo.
It’s the first time in forever that we have a best on best tournament like this. Only an “idiot” wouldn’t be at least somewhat interested in it.
Wilf, it has never gotten old watching you toss the idiot label around while tapping out posts that are a Where’s Waldo episode of tortured grammar and spelling.