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PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Canada will take a key step next week in preparation for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. The executives and coaches will meet in Edmonton from Aug. 6-9, gathering as a group for the first time to go over everything from systems to scouting to players.

“We were confident in the six guys we chose to start,” stated Don Sweeney, general manager of Canada and the Boston Bruins, during his scouting activity at the World Junior Summer Showcase at the USA Hockey Arena on Monday. “We plan to build around the core of this group, but we anticipate making some difficult decisions.”

The NHL and the NHL Players’ Association announced the first six players for Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States on June 28. Canada selected defenseman Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and forwards Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Nathan MacKinnon of the Avalanche, Brad Marchand of the Bruins, Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The start of the NHL season will serve as a tryout for the remaining rosters, set to be revealed between Nov. 29 and Dec. 2. All teams will consist of 23 NHL players, including 20 skaters and three goalies. The first best-on-best international event since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto – a seven-game tournament – is scheduled in Montreal and Boston from February 12-20.

“Players are wired in a certain way, I understand that,” stated Jim Nill, the associate GM of Canada and GM of the Dallas Stars, who once represented Canada at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. “This matters a lot to them. It’s significant. We’ve had a long hiatus, but now it’s returning to the forefront, making it a thrilling period for players,” he added.

Jon Cooper from the Lightning has been selected to coach Canada. His assistants, named on Wednesday, will be Bruce Cassidy of the Vegas Golden Knights, Pete DeBoer of the Dallas Stars, and Rick Tocchet of the Vancouver Canucks. Sweeney stated that a significant amount of time was spent on staff selection and role assignment, including responsibilities for power play, penalty kill, and neutral zone. The coaching team will hold meetings with Sweeney, Nill, and other Hockey Canada executives, such as Julien BriseBois, the Assistant GM for Canada in the 4 Nations and GM of the Lightning, as well as Kyle Dubas, the Director of Player Personnel for Canada in the 4 Nations and GM of the Penguins.

Sweeney stated, “It’s crucial for management and coaches to gather in one place to deliberate on the potential and mock lineups among the six selected players. We seem to agree on picks in various areas, but we still need to plan our scouting strategy for the fall and how the lineup will be completed. Our team’s strength lies in the center of the ice, but some players will need to take on wing positions. We’ll need to see how all these players mesh together.”

Generally, the players set the tone. However, the coaches and their approach to using players will undeniably impact our ultimate decisions at certain times. Health is also a crucial factor. With the amount of hockey to be played from the season’s start until February, we will have to adjust as necessary. Injuries, after all, are part of the game.

Where are the biggest debates?

“Sweeney stated, “Indeed, we will scrutinize every decision meticulously. We will leave no aspect undiscussed in our conversations, not just in this meeting, but all through the fall. We’ve already done considerable groundwork. The coaches have convened and are planning the course. We are faced with numerous challenging decisions to make.”

In the 4 Nations Face-Off, every team will participate in three round-robin matches. They will gain three points from a regulation victory, two points from a win in overtime or shootout, and one point from an overtime or shootout loss. The championship game will feature the two teams that have the best records.

Four games will be hosted by Montreal: On Feb. 12, Canada will face Sweden. The United States will compete against Finland on Feb. 13. A doubleheader of rivalry games is scheduled for Feb. 15, featuring Finland against Sweden and the United States versus Canada.

Three games will be hosted by Boston: a doubleheader on Feb. 17 featuring Canada vs. Finland and Sweden vs. the United States, as well as the championship game on Feb. 20.

“Nill acknowledged the high number of outstanding players, anticipating difficult choices ahead. He suggested that despite their merit, some players may not make the cut due to the limiting numbers. He admitted that this was the challenging aspect.”