Who should have represented the Kraken in the 4 Nations Face-Off?

The Seattle Kraken faced a surprising exclusion from this year’s inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, leaving fans and players alike questioning the decision. As the team strives to build its reputation, the absence of any Kraken players highlights both challenges and opportunities ahead.

Seattle Kraken v Tampa Bay Lightning
Seattle Kraken v Tampa Bay Lightning | Mike Ehrmann/GettyImages

The Seattle Kraken find themselves in an unenviable position as one of only two NHL teams without a single player selected for the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off, a midseason tournament replacing the traditional All-Star Game. For a team still working to establish its identity on the national stage, this omission stings.

While the Kraken aren’t widely regarded as an elite powerhouse, their roster includes players who deserved serious consideration. Here’s a closer look at some names that could have earned a spot and why they were left off.

Joey Daccord

Joey Daccord has been a revelation for the Kraken this season. His steady rise to becoming one of the league’s top netminders made him a plausible candidate for three of the four rosters. While his inclusion on Team USA or Sweden might have been a long shot, Team Canada seemed like a natural fit. However, reports indicate that Daccord’s ineligibility due to lacking a Canadian passport played a significant role in the decision.

From a talent perspective, it’s hard to argue against Daccord’s case. He could have competed with Jordan Binnington and Adin Hill for the starting job. His exclusion feels more like a logistical oversight than a slight against his abilities. If anything, it underscores his potential to be part of similar events in the future.

Brandon Montour

Brandon Montour has been a game changer for the Kraken this season, delivering on both ends of the ice. His knack for scoring from the blue line and thwarting odd man rushes with precision stickwork has been invaluable. Despite his stellar play, Montour was overlooked for a stacked Canadian roster.

Team Canada’s depth is undeniable—players like Connor Bedard didn’t even make the cut—but Montour’s omission raises eyebrows. Defensemen like Colton Parayko and Devon Toews earned spots, perhaps due to their perceived roles or team chemistry. Still, Montour’s blend of offensive prowess and defensive reliability could have bolstered the squad.

Eeli Tolvanen

Eeli Tolvanen hasn’t had his best season, though recent performances alongside Shane Wright and Oliver Bjorkstrand suggest he might be turning a corner. Tolvanen’s international resume, including a standout showing with Finland at the 2018 Olympics (nine points in five games), highlights his potential.

While his NHL career hasn’t fully lived up to early expectations, Tolvanen still possesses the sniper’s mentality that could have been an asset to Finland’s roster. His exclusion is less surprising given his season’s inconsistency, but it’s a reminder of his capability to contribute at the highest level.

A wake up call for the Kraken?

The Kraken’s lack of representation in this year’s 4 Nations Face-Off is disappointing for both the team and its fans. Events like this are an opportunity to showcase talent on a global stage and reinforce a franchise’s presence in the league. For a growing market like Seattle, the absence is a missed chance to rally national attention.

That said, this snub might serve as motivation. Players like Daccord, Montour, and Tolvanen now have something to prove. The nations may have overlooked them this time, but they have every opportunity to make their case undeniable moving forward.

As the rest of the hockey world tunes in to watch this groundbreaking tournament, Kraken fans can hope their team uses this as fuel to raise their level of play and remind everyone of the talent brewing in the Pacific Northwest.

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