On Monday, X user @GinoHard_ released a potential Russian lineup for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-off.
Among some of the NHL’s best skaters to be named to the team, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin was penciled in as the team’s top center, anchoring Artemi Panarin (New York Rangers) and the league’s reigning scoring champion Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning).
Even though the NHL is organizing the 4 Nations Face-off event, only four countries are participating: Canada, Sweden, Finland, and the United States.
To keep the tournament short, a three-game round-robin and then single-elimination playoffs, other hockey countries were not invited, including the reigning World Champions, Czechia. This would have allowed David Pastrnak to play in front of his hometown fans at TD Garden in Boston.
Related: Only Crosby And Karlsson Will Represent The Penguins At The 4 Nations Face-off
Meanwhile, this tournament would have given Malkin another chance to represent Russia, something the future Hall of Famers hasn’t done since the 2019 World Championships, where he registered six points in ten games and won a bronze medal.
The 38-year-old from Magnitogorsk, Russia, is only missing an Olympic gold medal to enter the Triple Gold Club, having already won the Stanley Cup in 2009, 2016, and 2017, and a World Championship in 2014.
The potential Russian 4 Nations Face-off lineup would have made them one of the favorites to win the tournament, with arguably the best goalie tandem featuring Andrei Vasilevskiy, Igor Shesterkin, and Sergei Bobrovsky.
Additionally, this hypothetical team would have the event’s deepest lineup regarding wingers, with names Kirill Kaprizov, Alex Ovechkin, Matvei Michkov, and Andrei Svechikov.
Barring any injuries, only Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson will represent the Penguins at the 4 Nations Face-off, with three former players being selected.
Related: Former Penguins Players Selected To 4 Nations Face-off
The 4 Nations Face-off begins on Feb. 12, 2025, with games in Montreal and Boston.
