Top 3 Alex Pietrangelo replacement for Team Canada's 4 Nation Face-off roster after D-man withdraws from tournament feat. Brandon Montour 

The 4 Nation Face-off is just weeks away and will feature several top talents of the National Hockey League representing Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland.

But Team Canada recently learned that they'll be without one of their top defenseman for the upcoming tournament, Alex Pietrangelo. The assistant captain for the Vegas Golden Knights announced he's withdrawing from the tournament to focus on the regular season for Vegas.

Pietrangelo has played in 46 games in the 2024-25 NHL season, scoring twice and providing 22 assists. The former captain of the St. Louis Blues is a two-time Stanley Cup winner (2019 with the Blues, 2023 with the Golden Knights).

Who are some of the top candidates that can be considered as Pietrangelo's replacement on the Team Canada blue line?

Top 3 Alex Pietrangelo replacement for Team Canada's 4 Nation Face-off roster after D-man withdraws from star-studded tournament

#1. Branton Montour

A Stanley Cup champion last season with the Florida Panthers, Montour now plays for the Seattle Kraken after agreeing to a mammoth contract over the offseason.

He's an even mix of both defensive play and offensive abilities, and has scored eight goals with 15 assists in his first season with the Kraken. In 569 NHL games, Montour has 74 goals with 201 assists and a +36 rating.

#2. Morgan Rielly

A veteran defenseman and assistant captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Rielly is looked at as their top blue liner and one of the top leaders for the club desperately trying to take the next step.

He has five goals with 17 assists this season, which is his 12th in the NHL; he was selected with the fifth overall pick by the Maple Leafs in the 2012 NHL Draft.

In 841 games, all with the Maple Leafs, Rielly has 85 goals with 409 assists.

#3. Vince Dunn

A steady presence on the Seattle Kraken blue line, Dunn scored the first goal in Kraken history in their inagural home opener in October 2021.

Dunn is more of an offensive defenseman rather than the stay-at-home variety, already notching nine goals with 12 assists. He's known for his puck moving abilities and skating, and would be able to fit in well with the up-tempo that the high-powered Canadian squad will be playing with.

Dunn has skated in 510 NHL games, scoring 73 goals with 195 assists.