Former Stanley Cup champ Mike Rupp analyzes why Team USA's lineup will dominate Team Canada in the Four Nations Face-Off

On February 12-20, 2025, Montreal and Boston will host the 4 Nations Face-Off which will feature Finland, Sweden, Canada, and the United States in a round-robin format. Speaking on NHL Network, former Stanley Cup champion Mike Rupp believes that Team USA has the strongest roster in the world.

Rupp also acknowledged Team Canada's lineup, featuring stars like Connor McDavid of the Oilers, Sidney Crosby of the Penguins, and Nathan MacKinnon of the Avalanche.

"On paper, I believe they [USA] have the best roster in the world. I don’t think there’s a roster that’s better. Team Canada is loaded, don’t get me wrong. Every country is stacked, and we've been waiting forever to see Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and all the other top players," Rupp said.

Despite the strength of Canada's roster, he argued that Team USA is unmatched in terms of overall talent. Rupp emphasized that while all teams are competitive, Team USA's roster stands out, and even added that he thinks it is the best ever.

"It doesn’t get much better than those guys. But when you look at Team USA's roster, I think this is the best lineup we’ve ever seen in terms of talent compared to some of these other countries," Rupp added.

Mike Rupp discussed Mitch Marner's future with the Leafs amid cap space concerns

While no final decision has been made by the team, speculations continue to surround Mitch Marner's future with the Toronto Maple Leafs. There are predictions of a possible trade, while some believe Marner might remain with the Leafs.

In a recent NHL Network segment, Rupp discussed the challenges affecting Marner's situation, and he is skeptical that the team would part ways with the veteran right winger.

"The problem, I think, is the cap space or the cap hits that you see right there, and the fact that the contract is expiring. There are going to be other teams out there that will pay him a value that you probably can't fit in,"

"But because of what you've had and the way that you've been built financially, it hasn't worked for you to have that much money tied up in a few players" Rupp said.

Rupp highlighted cap space constraints and the urgency of a new contract since Marner has been eligible for an extension since July 1. He pointed out that other teams might offer Marner a salary the Leafs could struggle to match due to their current financial setup.

Mike Rupp then went on to suggest that the Leafs should keep Marner if they intend to win the Stanley Cup.