( Photo Credit: Frank Gunn / The Canadian Press via AP )

By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44

For the first time since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, National Hockey League players will compete in a best-on-best international tournament. From February 12th through the 20th, players from Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States will battle for international glory in the Four Nations Face-off. The tournament will be hosted by both Boston and Montreal, with the Championship game being played at TD Garden.

After each country named their first six players to their teams in the summer, each nation finalized their rosters yesterday. Which Bruins will participate in the tournament, and what roles might they have for their respective nations?

Elias Lindholm: Bottom-Six Forward

( Photo Credit: Nathan Denette / CP )

Elias Lindholm’s play this season has been a hot topic in Boston. After signing a seven year contract with the Bruins this summer, Lindholm is on pace for 38 points, his lowest total since his rookie season in 2013. While much has been made about his offensive struggles, Lindholm has provided Boston with solid defensive play, enough for the Boden, Sweden, native to earn a spot on Team Sweden, who he last played for at the 2019 IIHF World Championship.

Sweden will likely look towards superstars such as William Nylander, Elias Pettersson, Lucas Raymond, Filip Forsberg, and Jesper Bratt to carry the load offensively, which could allow Lindholm to play more of a depth, checking role for his country. With his ability to win faceoffs, expect Lindholm to take a lot of defensive zone draws for the Swedes, especially on the right-side, and kill penalties.

Brad Marchand: Top-Six Wing

( Photo Credit: The Providence Journal )

Marchand was one of the first six players named to Canada’s roster, and for good reason. The Four Nations Face-off will be the fifth time Marchand represents Canada on the international stage. While Bruins fans are aware of Marchand’s accomplishments in Boston, some may not be as aware of his impressive history while donning a Canadian uniform. He’s won Gold in each of his previous four appearances, including when he scored the game winning goal against Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Eight years later, Marchand is one of only three returners from that 2016 team. Much like in Boston, Marchand will be tasked with leading a younger Canadian group that has seen big names such as Patrice Bergeron, Carey Price, Shea Weber, and Joe Thornton retire. Many suspect Marchand will play on a line with fellow Nova Scotia natives Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon.

Charlie McAvoy: Top-Four Defenseman

( Photo Credit: Andre Ringuette / HHOF-IIHF Images )

Like Marchand, McAvoy was one of the first six players selected to his nations roster. However, for the first time in his career, McAvoy will face-off against Marchand on February 15th, when Canada takes on the United States in round-robin play. McAvoy is a product of the United States National Team Development Program, and has plenty of experience representing the Stars & Stripes. He won a Gold Medal at the 2017 World Junior Championship in Montreal, and has played in two IIHF World Championships, most recently in 2018.

McAvoy will be a key piece for a U.S. team that many consider to be tournament favorites. The Long Beach, New York, native will likely play in a top-four role for the United States, the question will be who will partner him. Could it be Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes, Massachusetts native Noah Hanifin, Zach Werenski, or Jaccob Slavin?

Jeremy Swayman: Depth Goaltender

( Photo Credit: Matt Zambonin / HHOF-IIHF Images )

Of the four teams competing, the Americans on paper have the strongest group of goaltenders. Two-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck, will most likely see most of the action for Team USA, while Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman share the backup duties. Both Swayman and Oettinger were teammates on the 2018 USA World Junior Team that won a Bronze Medal.

Swayman has had a rough start to the 2024-25 season after missing all of training camp, but his play has picked up of late as the Bruins are 6-2-0 under Interim Head Coach Joe Sacco. Whether that improved play is enough to get him game action over two other elite NHL goaltenders remains to be seen.