Three Crowns' national team captain Sam Hallam has presented his squad for the Four Nations in February. And he gives a few veterans a chance.
Nashville's Gustav Nyquist, 35, and Edmonton's Viktor Arvidsson, 31, have been cleared to represent Sweden in the four-nation tournament, the first with NHL national teams since the World Cup 2016.
Impressing Hedman
I've never played with "Gus" at senior level, so it'll be fun, says Tampa Bay defender Victor Hedman, one of six players who had been selected earlier, in Viaplay's broadcast.
But he had a fantastic last year in Nashville. He continues to deliver, it's been impressive to see. We get a big portion of leadership and experience with him.
Both Gustav Nyquist and Viktor Arvidsson were part of the team that took the World Championship gold with Sweden in 2018 and take their places at the same time as younger talents like San Jose duo Fabian Zetterlund, 25, and William Eklund, 22, are left out.
Starting against Canada
The squad also includes stars like Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin and Vancouver's Elias Pettersson.
It's going to be fantastic. It's been a long time since the best players in the world faced off, says Victor Hedman.
Six players – Hedman, William Nylander, Mika Zibanejad, Filip Forsberg, Gustav Forsling, and Erik Karlsson – were selected earlier.
The Four Nations takes place on 13–21 February in Montreal and Boston. Sweden starts against Canada.
Goalkeepers: Linus Ullmark, Ottawa, Jacob Markström, New Jersey, Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota.
Defenders: Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay, Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh, Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo, Jonas Brodin, Minnesota. Gustav Forsling, Florida, Mattias Ekholm, Edmonton, Rasmus Andersson, Calgary.
Forwards: Filip Forsberg, Nashville, Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers, William Nylander, Toronto, Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles, Elias Pettersson, Vancouver, Jesper Bratt, New Jersey, Leo Carlsson, Anaheim, Joel Eriksson Ek, Minnesota, Lucas Raymond, Detroit, Elias Lindholm, Boston, William Karlsson, Vegas, Gustav Nyquist, Nashville, Viktor Arvidsson, Edmonton.
The tournament takes place on 13–21 February in Montreal and Boston.
13/2 (Montreal): Canada–Sweden (02.00).
14/2 (Montreal): USA–Finland (02.00).
15/2 (Montreal): Finland–Sweden (19.00).
16/2 (Montreal): USA–Canada (02.00).
17/2 (Boston): Canada–Finland (19.00).
18/2 (Boston): Sweden–USA (02.00).
21/2 (Boston): Final (02.00).
All dates and times are given in Swedish time.
