Auston Matthews' projected linemates for the Four Nations tournament revealed
Resident Toronto Maple Leafs sniper Auston Matthews is projected to center a pair of his best friends and biggest on-ice rivals at the Four Nations tournament in February.
While complete rosters for the Four Nations tournament have yet to be announced, Team USA's projected lineup is full of young, up-and-coming stars and current superstars including Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk and Quinn Hughes.
While the tournament is not until February, since it was announced as the next best-on-best tournament, projected lineups and rosters have consistently been made, modified and updated. NHL staff writers Amalie Benjamin, Mike G. Morreale and Dan Rosen recently updated all of their projected rosters and also revealed some projected lines for the upcoming tournament.
The trio of reporters have Matthews centering the USA's top line between two of his most hated on-ice rivals, but two of his good friends off of the ice, in the Tkachuk brothers, Matthew and Brady.
While Brady Tkachuk has yet to sniff the playoffs with the Ottawa Senators, his brother Matthew is fresh off of a Stanley Cup victory, while Auston Matthews skated off with another Rocket Richard Trophy.
The skill-set of the three could pose massive problems for other teams in the tournament. All three of them are big bodies and everyone knows the Tkachuk brothers aren't afraid to do the dirty work. While Matthews isn't exactly the most feared player in physical altercations, he is certainly the most feared when the puck is on his stick in the offensive zone.
All 3 players can make plays in tight, and play the set-up man, but they all have a knack for putting the puck in the net as well.
While projections will continue to change and final rosters won't be released for a few months still, there's a really good chance that the trio will likely be used in some combination together in what will be a highly entertaining best-on-best tournament.
Source: NHL.com
Team USA projected roster
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 14 | 381 ANSWERS Auston Matthews' projected linemates for the Four Nations tournament revealed Who will win the Four Nations Face-off tournament? | ||
| Canada | 280 | 73.5 % |
| USA | 75 | 19.7 % |
| Finland | 4 | 1 % |
| Sweden | 22 | 5.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
