TAMPA, FLA.—It’s not official, but you might as well lock in Mitch Marner for Team Canada at February’s 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal and Boston.
Not only because of the season he’s having with the Maple Leafs, but also because of the high regard Canada coach Jon Cooper has for him.
“I’m a massive Mitch Marner fan,” said Cooper, who coached the Leafs star at the 2017 world championship. “His confidence and swagger. He’s always had it, but you see it in how he plays. He’s always had it in him, but I think he’s let it out a little bit more and in a good way. He’s not showing off. He does everything with a purpose, and he really thinks the game at an elite level.”
Cooper’s day job is coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who hosted the Leafs on Saturday night. His side hustle is Canada’s entry for the 4 Nations tournament (Feb. 12 to 20) and later the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“Representing your country and building this team has been a wonderful experience,” said Cooper. “Being around some general managers and coaches in this league that are the best of the best, to hear their minds, their thoughts. And then there’s like a camaraderie, too. A common bond that we’re (all) wearing the flag.”
The management groups for Canada, the United States, Finland and Sweden have until Monday to submit final rosters, with the NHL announcing them on Wednesday.
Whittling down Canada’s roster has been a “process,” said Cooper.
“If this is a horse race, it’d be a photo finish, it’s that close.”
Connor McDavid, Cale Makar, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand and Brayden Point have already been named by the management team led by Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney, assisted by Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill, Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas and Hockey Canada executive Scott Salmond.
Sweeney and Nill are also assistant GMs of the Canadian men’s Olympic team for 2026 in Italy, working alongside Blues GM Doug Armstrong. The group has criss-crossed the league since October, watching their own teams less often than usual so they can better assess other players available for selection.
Cooper isn’t shy about asking competing coaches, including Toronto’s Craig Berube, about players.
“You go to arenas, now you’re meeting with people you normally wouldn’t meet with in the regular stream of things,” said Cooper. “So it’s been rewarding and educational to see how people do things and get their thoughts and perspectives.”
Maple Leafs power rankings: As team hits Thanksgiving mark, a defensive stalwart makes the top three
Despite all the injuries, Craig Berube says the team is in a “good spot” with the team in first place in the Atlantic Division.
Maple Leafs power rankings: As team hits Thanksgiving mark, a defensive stalwart makes the top three
Despite all the injuries, Craig Berube says the team is in a “good spot” with the team in first place in the Atlantic Division.
Berube said he has answered all of Cooper’s questions, but hasn’t been contacted by the Swedes, Finns or Americans.
“I talked to Coop a couple of times,” said Berube. “It’s just questions about certain players, about what you think. Can he kill a penalty? Can he check? Because you’ve got to find roles for all these guys, right? Not everybody can play on the top line. I do, of course, talk our players up.”
Auston Matthews has already been named to the U.S. roster, and William Nylander is on the Swedish team. Morgan Rielly and John Tavares should warrant consideration for Canada, Matthew Knies and maybe Anthony Stolarz for the United States, perhaps Oliver Ekman-Larsson for Sweden.
“The tournament is not for two months,” said Cooper. “Four teams are going to get announced, and I bet you there’ll be 10 new players — minimum — added because of injury from the four teams. So if you’re not named to that team, stay ready, because unfortunately there’s probably going to be some spots open.”
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