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The selections for the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off in February were announced a week ago, and some omissions caused some controversy.
The 23-player rosters are subject to adjustment in the lead-up to the tournament in case of injury or illness, and some players who missed the cut are doing their best to make a good impression in case an opening occurs.
Here are five undrafted NHL players who have been on fire since last Wednesday’s announcement.
Mark Scheifele, C, Winnipeg Jets (Canada)
The Jets’ top center is on pace to post career-best numbers, averaging more than a point per game, but Canada left him out of the roster with significant depth at center. The 31-year-old has scored a pair of game-winners in the week since the announcement and has three goals and four assists for seven points in four games.
Robert Thomas, C, St.Louis Blues (Canada)
The Blues center set a career high with 86 points last season, but missing 12 games with a broken ankle may have kept him off the Canadian roster. Since returning on November 19, the Aurora, Ontario native has 13 points, and in three games since the announcement, Thomas has two goals and five assists for seven points in three games.
Clayton Keller, LW, Utah Hockey Club (USA)
Keller can play center and wing and leads the Utah Hockey Club with 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists). Because of his versatility, the 26-year-old could be one of the first names on Team USA’s roster if someone goes down with an injury. In three games since the selections were announced, he has four points in three games, including two power-play goals and two assists.
Darcy Kuemper, G, Los Angeles Kings (Canada)
The Stanley Cup winner’s career was revived with his return to the Kings after two lackluster seasons in Washington. Despite a 6-2-3 record, a 2.37 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage, two trips to injured reserve already this season and his goals-against expectations may have been a factor in Canada’s selection of Samuel Montreal’s Montembeault third. goalkeeper behind Jordan Binnington and Adin Hill. But in two starts since the selection was announced, Kuemper earned wings against the Minnesota Wild and the New York Islanders with a 1.00 GAA and .953 SP.
Eeli Tolvanen, LW, Seattle Kraken (Finland)
The former first-rounder from Nashville has found new life since being claimed off waivers by the Kraken in 2022-23, scoring 18 and 16 goals over the past two seasons. Finland selected veteran strikers Joel Armia and Erik Haula, who are better defensively, but 25-year-old Tolvanen could be next. He has eight goals and four points (one goal, three assists) in the last four games this season. He was also part of the Olympic first all-star team in 2018 with nine points in five games.
Related: 4-nation face-off: One all-snub team Canada is not enough. We made two.
Related: Team USA’s All-Snub 4 Nations Squad: Canadiens ‘Caufield, Capitals’ Carlson and more
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