Who makes a hypothetical NHL Team North America in 2024-25?

The 4 Nations Face-Off will take place from Feb. 12-20, and the rosters will be announced in full on Dec. 4. Each of the United States, Canada, Sweden and Finland will be rosters full of NHL stars.

But arguably the best story out of the previous best-on-best tourney with NHL players — the 2016 World Cup of Hockey — was Team North America, a collection of the best players under the age of 24 from the U.S. and Canada. The team featured a who’s who of future NHL superstars, such as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews and Connor Hellebuyck.

Unfortunately, there will be no similar team of young stars at the 4 Nations Face-Off, but that does not prevent us from projecting what the team might have looked like using my model.

As a reminder: To be eligible for Team North America, the player must be under the age of 24 on the first day of the tournament. Cole Caufield and Connor McMichael, for example, are ineligible because they turn 24 in January 2025.

Team North America roster for 2024-25

Forwards

There is no shortage of options for Team North America, who will once again be led by a generational talent. This time, it is a different Connor … Connor Bedard. Much like McDavid, this occurs the year after his rookie campaign. Jack Hughes and Alexis Lafreniere complete the trio of No. 1 picks up front.

The North Americans have a good mix of skill, speed, size and two-way ability, potentially more than their previous iteration in 2016. Quinton Byfield, Matt Boldy, Wyatt Johnston and Matthew Knies bring a physical element that matches up against the more physically mature players in competition. Skill-wise, Team North America oozes highlight-reel talent with Hughes, Lafreniere, Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther.

Then there is Bedard. He requires no introduction or explanation. From a lacrosse goal to his end-to-end rushes and lethal release, Bedard puts fans in seats and is appointment television. His slow start to this season isn’t unexpected, as he lacks the support that many other players have on their respective teams. However, when he’s with the skilled players on Team North America,…