The Four Nations Face-Off is coming up fast. It features Canada, Finland, Sweden, and USA.
This series is split between two host cities: Montreal, Quebec, and Bostom, Massachusetts. TNT, ESPN, & ABC are carrying the games in the US, and Sportsnet and TVA in Canada will feature the games. The game breakdowns are as follows:
Montreal (ET):
Wednesday, February 12, at 8 p.m.: Canada vs. Sweden
Thursday, February 13, 8 p.m.: USA vs. Finland
Saturday, February 15, 1 p.m.: Finland vs. Sweden
Saturday, February 15, 1 p.m.: USA vs. Canada
Boston (ET):
Monday, February 17, 1 p.m.: Canada vs. Finland
Monday, February 17, 8 p.m.: Sweden vs. USA
Thursday, February 20, 8 p.m.: Championship Game
So far, teams have released six players. None are Detroit Red Wings players, but here’s Team Sweden roster at this point:
Filip Forsberg, Left Wing, NSH
Gustav Forsling, Defnse (shoots left), FLA
Victor Hedman, Defense (shoots left), TBL
Erik Karlsson, Defense (shoots right), PIT
William Nylander, Right Wing, TOR
Mika Zibanejad, Center, NYR
The Detroit Red Wings Simon Edvinsson is a new kid on the block, so to speak. He’s played for Team Sweden in the past, so he isn’t a new name to the national team. However, he’s playing in his first full National Hockey League (NHL).
Before we get too far into why Edvinsson should make the team, let’s touch on why Edvinsson isn’t likely to make it on the Team Sweden roster.
In a nutshell, Sweden’s robust, bursting at the seams, if you will, with veteran defensemen. They’re not like the Detroit Red Wings and their love of veteran players, either. These eligible defensemen for Team Sweden are great, no-brainer selections for any team heading to the Four Nations Face-Off.
It isn’t a slight against Edvinsson if he doesn’t make the roster. Also, a nice break wouldn’t hurt things.
Even still, Edvinsson is making the decision tough for Team Sweden.
Detroit Red Wings Simon Edvinsson should play for Team Sweden in the Four Nations Face-Off, here’s why
To anyone not familiar, you’re in for a wild ride whenever Edvinsson’s on the ice. I liken his game to a wild stallion. He’s a graceful, smooth-skating, 6’6” defender who plays like he’s under 6’ tall. His hands and puck control are fantastic for any player of any size, but when added to his frame, they make him nearly unstoppable when he carries the puck.
Don’t sleep on his passing game, either. For as good as he is carrying the puck, he’s as exceptional with his passing. Whether it’s breaking the puck out of his own zone or a touchdown pass, Edvinsson can thread needles with his passes.
When he’s moving, which is when he’s at his best, Edvinsson skates circles around the opposition. In one frame, he’s in the offensive zone circling the net, and a couple of frames later, he’s gapping a guy into the boards before he reaches his netminder. Speaking of his goaltender, he is very protective of his goalie. It’s not a concerning or over-the-top protective instinct. Edvinsson makes it clear that standing anywhere near his teammate during player or after the whistle is not tolerated.
It’s not only his goaltender that Edvinsson safeguards. He helps protect his defensive partners and any teammate who needs a helping hand.
In a competition where every player is taking every inch of real estate, whether it’s the physical ice or in someone’s mind, having a player who will support his teammates without hesitation or losing his cool is imperative.
His size, hands, and playing style are unique—at least from my viewings. His skillset lends itself to a very effective player in any role.
Out of all defensive pairings in the NHL, Edvinsson and Moritz Seider face the most difficult minutes.
Simon Edvinsson-Moritz Seider appreciation post. Toughest minutes in the NHL *and* doing a solid enough job (via @PuckIQ). @FlyingOctoPod #LGRW pic.twitter.com/S9ZnD8gm2O
— Tony Wolak (@TonyWolak) November 4, 2024
At a Corsi For Percentage (CF%) of 50.95%, the defensive pairing leads all Detroit Red Wings’ current, regular defensive pairings. Although, if the Jeff Petry and Albert Johansson pairing is legitimate, they would lead the way with a 66.67% in 8:53 minutes played (all figures are from Natural Stat Trick). As for Expected Goals For (xGF%)—see the link above if you want a refresher on the meaning behind xGF% of 51.84%, which leads the team’s regularly scheduled pairings. Justin Holl and Ben Chiarot didn’t reflect poorly in xGF% at 57.55% (but don’t peek at CF%, it’s a sad 46.88%). Johansson and Petry still lead the way in xGF% with 62.73%.
All these numbers mean that Edvinsson and Seider are playing above average. These numbers may not be impressive on their own, but when coupled with their usage as the most difficult deployment of the NHL it shows just how potent the duo is for the struggling Detroit Red Wings. It also makes a lady wonder, what would Edvinsson do with a guy like Erik Karlsson?
Of all the possible defensemen heading to the Four Nations Face-Off, I can’t help but think Karlsson and Edvinsson are a pair destined for greatness.
Karlsson is the definition of an offensive defenseman. If you look it up in any hockey dictionary, you will see his photo. It’s just how it is.
While Edvinsson could (and at times may have been) paired with a boulder and still find success, Karlsson’s game screams for Edvinsson (and arguably vice versa).
Edvinsson plays off his defensive partners phenomenally well, quite intuitively. With a pairing like Petry early on in the season (and through the end of last season), we saw Edvinsson take a bit of a backseat to the veteran. Rather than push play in the offensive zone, Edvinsson let Petry shine as he stood back to help support the possible mistakes that popped up here and there. Meanwhile, with Seider, Edvinsson is a bit more free in his offensive play as he and Seider seem to play off of each other. At times, one will push things in the offensive zone while the other sits back to prevent any devastating breakaways.
Throughout his time in the American Hockey League (AHL), Edvinsson played in all situations with a variety of defensemen. He’s comfortable tailoring his playing style to his partner (if there’s a better pairing for Karlsson or Edvinsson).
Yet, I can’t help but think the skating advantage Edvinsson brings, the willingness to cover consistently for his defensive partner, and his ability to help create in the offensive zone as well (he’s not a defensive or stay-at-home defenseman by any means) might help elevate Karlsson’s confidence and his overall play as well.
There are plenty of fantastic defensemen available for Team Sweden to bring, but none are Edvinsson. He’s neither a household name nor does he have the history that other players do, but nobody will bring Edvinsson’s game or abilities to Team Sweden.
It might seem brash or placing undue confidence in a young player, but Edvinsson is that good.