10 underrated players to watch at 4 Nations Face-Off

We're about to get a taste of best-on-best men's hockey action for the first time since 2016, so it's time to get to know some of the players.

No, not the superstars - sorry Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Cale Makar, but everyone knows you guys.

Instead, we'll zero in on 10 underrated players suiting up at the 4 Nations Face-Off, which kicks off Wednesday. They're well-known in their own markets but aren't necessarily appreciated as much outside of them.

Let's get into it.

Jesper Bratt 🇸🇪

It might seem odd to include someone who's on track to record his second straight 80-point season, but Bratt is criminally underrated outside of New Jersey.

The 26-year-old ranked 10th among all wingers with 83 points during his breakout season last year but didn't make it onto the NHL's list of top 20 wingers entering the 2024-25 campaign. That feels like an oversight.

Bratt paced the Devils in points in 2023-24 and is only one point off of superstar Jack Hughes for the lead this season. He's fast, can beat opponents one-on-one, and can take over a period seemingly at will. Those unfamiliar with Bratt's game are in for a treat at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Joel Eriksson Ek 🇸🇪

Eriksson Ek has been a responsible defensive player for the Minnesota Wild for years, but he's never been named a finalist for the Selke Trophy. Not even after putting up 60 points in his previous two campaigns (and scoring 30 goals last season) despite getting tough assignments on the daily. Sure, there's no taking the hardware from Aleksander Barkov, but Eriksson Ek should get more attention on the ballot.

The 28-year-old hasn't been as productive offensively this season while battling injuries, but the Wild are still outscoring opponents 21-14 with Eriksson Ek on the ice even strength. The centerman is a key facet for Minnesota on the power play, penalty kill, and at five-on-five, and the same will likely be true for Sweden at the 4 Nations.

Brock Faber 🇺🇸

From Adam Fox to Zach Werenski, the Americans' blue line at this tournament is hilariously stacked. But don't sleep on Faber who, at 22, is the youngest member of the group.

The Minnesota native showed up in the NHL last season prepared to be a No. 1 defenseman and ranked sixth in the league in average ice time (24:58) while handling tough matchups for the Minnesota Wild. He also played through broken ribs for two months and would've taken the Calder Trophy if it wasn't for some guy named Connor Bedard.

Faber's game will only continue to grow and improve, so don't be surprised when he's a cornerstone for Team USA for years to come.

Mikael Granlund 🇫🇮

The Dallas Stars acquired Granlund from the San Jose Sharks earlier this month, much to the chagrin of other contending teams who could have benefitted from the versatile forward's services.

The 32-year-old rejuvenated his career over the past two seasons in California, totaling 105 points in 121 contests with the basement-dwelling Sharks.

Granlund's on pace for 70 points this season, which would represent a new career high. His 0.85 point-per-game rate is fourth among all Finnish players, trailing only fellow national squad members Sebastian Aho, Barkov, and Mikko Rantanen.

Brandon Hagel 🇨🇦

Hagel is surrounded by plenty of superstar talent on Tampa Bay, but make no mistake: He's a key driver for the Lightning.

Lauded for his hustle, Hagel is invaluable at five-on-five and the penalty kill. He ranks second on the Bolts in points (43) and leads the team in goals (22) at even strength. He's also tied for the league lead with six shorthanded points this season, alongside Team Canada teammates Anthony Cirelli (also of the Lightning) and Sam Reinhart, plus Montreal Canadiens forward Jake Evans. Tampa Bay has scored seven goals with Hagel on the ice on the PK while allowing nine.

The 26-year-old has steadily improved throughout his NHL tenure, establishing new offensive career highs season after season. Hagel's on pace for 37 tallies and 87 points this campaign, which would surpass his previous bests of 30 goals (2022-23) and 75 points (2023-24).

Adin Hill 🇨🇦

Canada's goaltending is largely viewed as its biggest weakness at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Yes, Logan Thompson's absence is arguably one of the biggest snubs of the tournament, but Hill is no slouch.

Sure, he's not Connor Hellebuyck, but Hill isn't even two years away from backstopping the Vegas Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup championship. He recorded a .932 save percentage and 2.17 goals against average in the most important games of his life.

We won't pretend that Hill's having an amazing season stats-wise. He's not. But the Golden Knights' mediocre team defense isn't doing a lot to help him out: Vegas ranks 17th in expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five.

Seth Jarvis 🇨🇦

Jarvis should be a bigger name in the hockey world. He quietly enjoyed a 30-goal season last campaign, and he's on pace to do so again despite missing seven games with an upper-body injury.

Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour deployed Jarvis in all situations in 2023-24: The 23-year-old led the team in power-play time per game (2:56) while ranking second among Canes forwards in average shorthanded time (2:02). Last season, his 67 points were the third-most among all centers under the age of 24, trailing only Jack Hughes and Tim Stutzle.

Jarvis hasn't represented his country since the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but the charismatic Canadian has shown an affinity for performing in big moments. He scored five goals and nine points in 11 playoff games last spring while playing through a torn labrum, a torn rotator cuff, and a broken finger.

Travis Sanheim 🇨🇦

Sanheim's inclusion on Canada's 4 Nations squad caused much debate when the rosters were first announced, but the 28-year-old defenseman hit new highs with the Philadelphia Flyers last season.

He recorded 10 goals and 44 points in 81 outings while seeing a career-high 23:48 minutes of ice time. They're relying on him even more this campaign - he ranks second among all skaters in the league in five-on-five playing time. The Flyers have struggled to keep the puck out of their net, but they have dictated around 53% of the expected goals with Sanheim on the ice at even strength.

The 6-foot-4, 222-pound rearguard is a surprisingly strong skater. He's also a left-handed shot and capable of playing both sides, so there's something to be said for Canada's interest in Sanheim's versatility.

Rickard Rakell 🇸🇪

Rakell was a late addition to Team Sweden, tabbed as the replacement for the injured William Karlsson. Rakell's delayed inclusion arguably righted a wrong, as he had a strong case to make the initial roster.

The Penguins winger leads Pittsburgh in goals in his 13th NHL campaign and he ranks second on the team in points, trailing only Sidney Crosby. Rakell is on pace to match his career high with 69 points, which he set in 2017-18. He's also on track for 37 tallies, which would be a new best.

Rakell, 31, had 10 goals and 16 points in 27 outings by the time the 4 Nations rosters were announced in early December, and he's only turned it up since then with 15 tallies and 16 helpers in his next 28 games. Talk about getting hot at the right time.

Vincent Trocheck 🇺🇸

It should come as no surprise that the New York Rangers didn't make Trocheck available during their horrific slump earlier in the season.

The 31-year-old center plays in all situations as a member of the Blueshirts. He can be quietly relied upon for 20 goals every year and hasn't missed a game over three campaigns as a Ranger. Oh, and he's won 60.7% of his faceoffs this season.

Trocheck is also known for his fiery leadership qualities which will undoubtedly serve the U.S. well in an emotional international tournament. There's no "C" on his chest, but he's stepped up as the de facto captain in the Big Apple since the Jacob Trouba trade. It's about time he gets more recognition.

(Analytics sources: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving-Hockey)