Finland makes roster announcement for 4 Nations Face-Off with one major upset pick!

On Wednesday, Team Finland made its official roster announcement for the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off and this is who the lineup will include:

GOALIES
Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buffalo Sabres,
Kevin Lankinen, Vancouver Canucks

DEFENSEMEN
Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars
Esa Lindell, Dallas Stars
Jani Hakanpaa, Toronto Maple Leafs
Niko Mikkola, Florida Panthers
Olli Maatta, Utah Hockey Club
Rasmus Ristolainen, Philadelphia Flyers
Juuso Valimaki, Utah Hockey Club

FORWARDS
Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes
Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Roope Hintz, Dallas Stars
Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche
Joel Armia, Montreal Canadiens
Mikael Granlund, San Jose Sharks
Erik Haula, New Jersey Devils
Kaapo Kakko, New York Rangers
Artturi Lehkonen, Colorado Avalanche
Anton Lundell, Florida Panthers
Patrik Laine, Montreal Canadiens
Eetu Luostarinen, Florida Panthers
Teuvo Teravainen, Chicago Blackhawks

As Chris Johnston points out, Leafs’ Jani Hakanpaa cracked the roster despite having played just two games in the 2024-25 season. He was recently placed on Toronto’s injured reserve as he last played on Nov. 16 against the Edmonton Oilers and has been dealing with lingering knee issues.

This surprised many fans to see that Hakanpaa made the cut, though Johnston explains it by stating that he and Esa Lindell have played together a lot in the past.

At the same time, Laine just made it back from injury on Tuesday night for the Canadiens. Though he did record a goal in his return. It seemed impossible that Laine would not make the roster once the tournament was announced. 

NOTABLES WHO DID NOT MAKE THE ROSTER: Jesperi Kotkaniemi (Hurricanes), Eeli Tolvanen (Kraken),Henri Jokiharju (Sabres), Jesse Puljujarvi (Penguins).