Elliotte Friedman Reveals Someone Playing in the 4 Nations Face-Off Could Likely be Traded

Last week, the call came from Hockey Canada to tell Toronto Maple Leafs assistant captain John Tavares that he wouldn't be on Team Canada's roster for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off this coming February.

While teammate Mitch Marner will represent Canada in the tournament, John Tavares was not invited to participate. He added the possibility of being an injury replacement was never discussed during the conversation.

The 4 Nations Face-Off represents the first major tournament involving NHL players since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Tavares notched a goal and four points in six games of that event, as Canada claimed the title.

He also helped Team Canada win an Olympic gold medal during the 2014 Games in Sochi and had 11 points in nine games during this year's world championship.

And with NHL players set to return to the Olympics in 2026 after missing the last two Olympics, Tavares remains committed to keeping himself on Hockey Canada's radar. For now, though, he has the Leafs atop the Atlantic Division at 18-9-2.

The veteran sits third in Leafs scoring, totaling 25 points on 12 goals and 13 assists in 28 games this season.

Sports insider Elliotte Friedman has now added that there are several team governors who have discussed that should teams have players participating in the 4 Nations Face-off that they are looking to trade, they need to get it done before the event gets underway.

Why? Due to John Tavares' 2014 Olympic injury. Tavares suffered an injury during those Olympics and if something like that were to happen to any other player this time around, it would tremendously lower their trade value, hence needing to trade them ASAP.

These latest developments will be very interesting to see if any teams look to take that trading strategy going forward.