Travis Konecny, Travis Sanhiem, Rasmus Ristolainen named to 4 nations

On By Littum

While the rosters for the 4 Nations Face-Off were officially announced Wednesday night, a glimpse of Tuesday’s practice told Flyers fans all they needed to know about who made the team.

Those present also added that Ristolainen was also celebrated. The three join head coach John Tortorella, who was named an assistant coach for the USA in August. The 4 Nations tournament will replace the NHL’s All-Star game and featured the United States, Canada, Sweden and Finland.

The tournament will be split between Boston and Montreal, with the former hosting the first four games and the latter hosting the final three, including the championship game. It will be held from the 12th to the 20th. February. The first six players on each team were announced earlier and already had some of the best in the league.

“If I am lucky enough to represent my country, it would be a huge honor, something I have worked hard to achieve,” Sanheim said after Monday’s practice. Although they already knew it when asked, he and Konecny ​​did a good job of keeping it quiet.

Three Flyers named to 4 Nations rosters

Beginning with the obvious, Ristolainen was essentially a lock to make Finland’s roster. The team is not necessarily deep with 43 active players in the NHL. And there are only 10 Finnish defenders. Of all active Finnish defensemen, Ristolainen has the most career games with 738 and points with 292.

Not to mention the Flyers defenseman has had one of his best seasons to date. It’s only been 25 games, but Ristolainen’s 46.21 CF% is currently fourth-best in his career. He’s not far off Sanheim in the state, where his sometimes partner has a 47.51 CF%.

With Cam York out with an injury, Ristolainen was moved to the top pair and looked to be involved on both offense and defense. He is at his best when he is physical and keeps his feet moving. Brad Shaw has done wonders with Ristolainen’s game.

For Sanheim, he was one no-move clause away from being traded to St. Louis back in 2023. Sometimes the best moves are the ones that don’t end up being made. Sanheim and the Flyers can agree on that. He has transformed into the team’s clear number one defender.

He more than holds his own in the defensive zone and eats up tough minutes while doing so. He’s averaging over 25 minutes a game, the most of his career, and has topped the 30-minute mark a few times this year. He also produces offensively. Sanheim already has five goals and 15 points in 25 games. If he continues at this pace, he could break his career offensive totals after already doing so a season ago.

Finally, Konecny ​​has easily been the Flyers’ MVP for the second straight season. He finished the month of November with 20 points, becoming the sixth Flyer in the last 20 years to post that many points in a month. He leads the Flyers with 30 points.

Konecny ​​is on a five-game hitting streak, posting seven points. He also has 20 points in his last 13 games. Prior to that five-game hitting streak, he also had a seven-game hitting streak. He has not registered a point in just eight games so far this season and has failed in just two games in November.

We will have to wait and see what each of their roles will be on their respective teams. But it will be a nice honor for the three of them, especially for Konecny ​​and Sanheim. The two have become extremely close over the years.

“We haven’t always been as close as we are now so it’s been cool to see that happen. It would definitely be special and I know we’d both be rooting for the other to be on that team,” Konecny said Monday afternoon.