Victor Hedman has been named Crew Sweden’s captain for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Sweden opens play on Feb. 12 in opposition to Canada.
The Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman has seven objectives and 33 assists in 47 video games this season. Hedman leads the Lightning with 23:27 common ice time per recreation. His 40 factors place him No. 6 amongst NHL defensemen.
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ Erik Karlsson, Edmonton Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm and Toronto Maple Leafs’ William Nylander have been named alternate captains.
Why these picks?
Hedman was a no-discussion choice. The Lightning didn’t hesitate to call Hedman their eleventh captain in crew historical past following the offseason departure of Steven Stamkos to the Nashville Predators. Hedman is a two-time Stanley Cup champion.
The 34-year-old has appeared in 1,099 profession video games, most of any lively Swede. Hedman, the 2018 Norris Trophy winner, has succeeded Nicklas Lidstrom as his nation’s most completed all-around defenseman. Lightning coach Jon Cooper makes use of Hedman in each state of affairs, from energy play to shutdown minutes.
Karlsson is second to Hedman with 1,055 profession video games. Karlsson leads all lively Swedes with 849 factors. Karlsson, a three-time Norris winner, is in his second season with the Penguins.
Ekholm is a veteran of 869 NHL video games and helped the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Ultimate final season. Nylander has 51 factors in 51 video games in 2024-25, on his approach to a 3rd straight point-per-game season.
Notable omissions
Filip Forsberg, Gustav Forsling and Mika Zibanejad may even have been into consideration as alternates. They have been the opposite three named to the preliminary roster together with Hedman, Karlsson and Nylander.
Your #4Nations Face-Off captains for Crew Sweden are right here!
Period kaptener för Tre Kronor i #4Nations Face-Off är här! pic.twitter.com/NzM4cqktWB
— NHL Sverige (@NHLsv) January 30, 2025
Extra captain picks
(Photograph: Ronald Martinez / Getty Photos)
