Nick Suzuki's one assist over his last six games didn't help, but for a short period, pundits started to wonder if he should keep his phone ringer on in case of a call from the Team Canada front office. We saw players around the league become injury replacements, as Drew Doughty stepped in for Alex Pietrangelo and Jake Sanderson replaced Quinn Hughes. It was always the risk for the Four Nations Faceoff, as having it mid-season opened the possibility of players getting injuries and missing the tournament.
Team Finland is in trouble heading into the tournament, as they are down to their second-last defenseman after injuries to their top guys. Ville Heinola from the Winnipeg Jets is now the only Finnish-born defenseman with an NHL game this season who hasn't been on Finland's roster. Team USA also looks weaker without Hughes, but Team Canada had the luxury of replacing one future Hall of Famer with another with the Pietrangelo-Doughty swap.
Suzuki was a candidate to get the call if any Team Canada forwards went down with an injury. The whole country took a collective deep breath earlier this week when Sidney Crosby left the Pittsburgh Penguins game with an expected arm injury. Crosby hasn't played since that game, but will skate on Monday with the team in Montreal to get a gauge on his availability.
Team Canada has until 5 PM ET to finalize their roster, and there is a chance that Crosby isn't on the roster. However, no one in Canada wants to see that. It's the first time in a long time we get to see one of the country's greatest superstars suit up in the red and white, and it'll also be the first time that he and Connor McDavid are on the same team. We can pretend we'd rather see players from our own team on the roster, but for hockey's sake, Crosby and McDavid on the same team has to happen.
However, what happens if Crosby isn't available? Team Canada will call a forward to take his spot, but it looks like Suzuki isn't the team's choice. Darren Dreger reported on Saturday that Mark Scheifele has been placed on alert by the Canadian brass that he will be the replacement if Crosby can't go or if any other injuries happen between now and 5 PM.
With a full slate of games today and 2 tomorrow, including Tampa Bay, it’s believed Winnipeg Jets star, Mark Scheifele has been placed on alert by Canada in the event of another injury or Sidney Crosby not being ready for the Four Nations Faceoff.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 8, 2025
It's a missed opportunity for Suzuki, but he likely won't turn down the rest days. It has been a long season for the captain, and getting away from hockey for a bit is likely the best for his overall health. The Four Nations Faceoff snub doesn't mean he won't get consideration for an Olympic spot next year, and if he continues playing like he has been this season, it wouldn't be a shock if he's a finalist to make the trip next February.
Canadiens fans will still get the chance to root for some of their players, as Sam Montembeault is one of three goaltenders on Team Canada's roster, and Patrik Laine and Joel Armia suit up together on Team Finland.