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Which Maple Leafs star could be the 4 Nations Face-Off MVP?
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Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
James Turner
Jan 30, 2025, 12:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 30, 2025, 06:52 EST
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The Four Nations Face-Off gives plenty of reason for NHL fans–particularly Toronto Maple Leafs fans–to be invested in the tournament. The Maple Leafs are one of just two NHL franchises that will be represented on all four squads. This means that regardless of the matchup, fans have the potential to see a Leafs player on the ice. 
More specifically, three of the “Core Four” of Leafs superstars–sans John Tavares–will play key roles for their respective squads. Auston Matthews for Team USA, Mitch Marner for Team Canada, and William Nylander for Team Sweden. With that in mind, I wanted to ask the question: which of the three Leafs’ stars has the potential to make the biggest Four Nations impact? In other words, which player among Matthews, Marner, and Nylander has the best chance of being named Most Valuable Player of the tournament?

Mitch Marner: the Canadian Magician

Of the three Maple Leafs star forwards, Marner is the only one not projected on his respective team’s top line. Daily Faceoff projects Marner on Canada’s second forward line alongside two Tampa Bay Lightning teammates in Brayden Point and Brandon Hagel. Team Canada has so much depth that it wouldn’t be surprising to see Marner get some time alongside Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon at points. 
I think Marner is one of those players that no matter who he’s paired with he has the ability to drive play and create opportunities for others. We’ve seen it time and time again with or without Auston Matthews. A Marner-Point-Hagel line is solid as well. The two Lightning mates will already have chemistry, and Marner can complement what they both bring to the ice.

William Nylander: the Swedish Speedster

Nylander has a lot going for him coming into the Four Nations. He has elite speed, an elite shot, and has become a master of the breakaway. He also has the advantage(?) of playing for Sweden. The team’s roster is still stacked, but not to the level of Canada or the US. As such, Nylander could play a major role for his nation’s squad. 
He is currently projected on Sweden’s top line alongside Jesper Bratt and Mika Zibanejad. He should also be a lock for the team’s top powerplay unit–strange to say, considering the Leafs’ PP struggles this year. His speed could be a huge asset, though I expect that with the level of defensive talent on the ice, he may not generate the breakaway opportunities he has come to master. Still, Willie Styles has plenty of potential to make a big impact, especially if Sweden has success. 

Auston Matthews: Captain America

Captains have not yet been named for the Four Nations squads, but if any of the big three Maple Leafs has a shot at getting the “C” for their team, it’s Matthews. The competition will certainly be tough as Matthews is among four current NHL captains on Team USA: Quinn Hughes, Dylan Larkin, and Brady Tkachuk, being the other three. I feel the captaincy decision likely comes down to Matthews and Hughes. While being named the Captain has no on-ice impact in theory, it would be a major honor that could play a huge motivating role. 
Matthews also projects to be Team USA’s top-line Centre, and it’s hard to argue against it. Jack Hughes and Jack Eichel are both elite players, but they aren’t Auston Matthews. The American roster also has significant depth that could allow for a lot of re-shuffling and opportunities for Papi to play with a range of great players. 

The verdict

I think it comes down to the US and Canada when predicting the Four Nations winner. If Auston Matthews is named Captain and plays a big role for a team that wins the tournament, he has the best chance of being the MVP. Marner can also make a big impact, but I think the depth of Canada’s roster–and having big names like McDavid and Crosby on the team–severely impacts his chances. As for Nylander, he’s my dark horse MVP pick. If Sweden goes on a run, or somehow wins the Four Nation Face-Off, there’s a good chance Nylander will have played a huge part in that. Ultimately, it comes down to which team wins. It is highly unlikely the MVP would be named from a different squad–what do you think this is, the Stanley Cup Finals? Based on that fact and each team’s roster, the clear pick for most likely Maple Leaf to win MVP is Jani Hakanpaa. I’m kidding. It’s Auston Matthews.
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