"Love that Laine made it back for this" "Defense is the clear weakness": NHL fans react as Finland announce their 4 Nations Face-Off roster

NHL fans shared their thoughts after Finland revealed its roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off on Wednesday. The roster includes key players like Sebastian Aho, Aleksander Barkov and Mikko Rantanen, who were selected earlier in June. Patrik Laine, Roope Hintz and Kaapo Kakko add strength to Finland's forward group.

The NHL posted the lineup on X.

“Introducing... The Fins! Thoughts on Finland's roster for the #4Nations Face-Off?🤔”

While the forwards look strong, fans are unsure about the defense. Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell lead the group, but some feel it lacks depth.

“Defense is the clear weakness but that forward group is surprisingly deep,” one fan wrote.

“Love that Laine made it back for this!” one fan said.

"Still can’t believe Barkov is on a Finnish team 😁," one fan said.

Here are some more reactions from fans on X:

"Gonna have to root for the Fins here. Miro, Roope and Lindell!" a fan said.

"Mikael Granlund earned that shit up above a ppg this year baby repping the Sharks," another fan said.

"I see most people have no idea how good Finland has been in these tournaments where all the best players have been around," one fan shared.

"I'm sorry but they're getting rawdogged by every other team," one fan mentioned.

Despite some concerns about the defense, many believe the Fins have a good chance in the tournament. The 4 Nations Face-Off starts in February, and fans are eager to see how the team performs.

---

Team Finland Roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off

There are four Panthers players on Team Finland: Barkov, Lundell, Luostarinen and Mikkola. Dallas Stars contribute Hintz, Heiskanen and Lindell. Avalanche’s Lehkonen joins Rantanen and Utah’s Maatta and Valimaki were also selected. Aho made the team, but Kotkaniemi was left off. Fins will play the U.S. on Feb. 13 at Bell Centre (8 p.m. ET).

Forwards (13):

• Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes)*
• Joel Armia (Montreal Canadiens)
• Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers)*
• Mikael Granlund (San Jose Sharks)
• Erik Haula (New Jersey Devils)
• Roope Hintz (Dallas Stars)
• Kaapo Kakko (New York Rangers)
• Patrik Laine (Montreal Canadiens)
• Artturi Lehkonen (Colorado Avalanche)
• Anton Lundell (Florida Panthers)
• Eetu Luostarinen (Florida Panthers)
• Mikko Rantanen (Colorado Avalanche)*
• Teuvo Teravainen (Chicago Blackhawks)

Defensemen (7):

• Jani Hakanpaa (Toronto Maple Leafs)
• Miro Heiskanen (Dallas Stars)*
• Esa Lindell (Dallas Stars)*
• Olli Maatta (Utah Hockey Club)
• Niko Mikkola (Florida Panthers)
• Rasmus Ristolainen (Philadelphia Flyers)
• Juuso Valimaki (Utah Hockey Club)

Goaltenders (3):

• Kevin Lankinen (Vancouver Canucks)
• Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Buffalo Sabres)
• Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators)*

(*Indicates players selected in June.)