Team USA is hurting at forward as they prepare for Thursday's game against Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off Final.
Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews both missed Monday's round-robin finale. Tkachuk's injury occurred on Saturday in Canada's loss to the U.S., with him being stuck on the bench for the latter half of the third period. It's unclear when or how Matthews was injured.
The U.S. began Monday's 2-1 loss to Sweden with only 11 forwards -- sans Tkachuk and Matthews, and with Chris Kreider drawing in after being a healthy scratch. Then in the first period, Brady Tkachuk exited with an undisclosed injury after crashing hard into the net and did not return.
Mike Sullivan said postgame that Brady's absence was precautionary, and he's "hopeful we’re going to get some of these guys back." So, they might not be shorthanded after all for Thursday's championship match.
But, if Team USA is short on forwards and can't dress a full lineup, they would be permitted to bring in a forward who was not on the initial roster, and play him only if they do not have enough healthy forwards to dress. Sullivan alluded to this Monday, saying he'd imagine they'd have "contingency plans" in that case.
Now, there's a pretty decent list of American forwards who didn't make the cut. The Canadiens' Cole Caufield may be at the top of that list, with 26 goals and 23 assists in 56 games.
But if Team USA does end up needing to bring in a forward -- for one game, with limited practice time, to replace the Tkachuks -- it might help if the forward is someone Sullivan has extensive familiarity with already. Someone who can penalty-kill. Someone who already has chemistry with a player in their top-six.
Someone ... exactly like Bryan Rust.
It's not like Rust is undeserving -- his 20 goals rank second on the Penguins, and his 42 points rank third in 48 games. Those added aforementioned connections would just be a bonus.
Thursday's game is a ways away, and there's a decent chance the U.S. won't end up needing to add a forward. But if they do, Rust would really be a great option.
Just something to ponder over the next few days.
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THE ASYLUM
Taylor Haase
6:32 am - 02.18.2025BostonCould Rust join 4 Nations?
Team USA is hurting at forward as they prepare for Thursday's game against Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off Final.
Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews both missed Monday's round-robin finale. Tkachuk's injury occurred on Saturday in Canada's loss to the U.S., with him being stuck on the bench for the latter half of the third period. It's unclear when or how Matthews was injured.
The U.S. began Monday's 2-1 loss to Sweden with only 11 forwards -- sans Tkachuk and Matthews, and with Chris Kreider drawing in after being a healthy scratch. Then in the first period, Brady Tkachuk exited with an undisclosed injury after crashing hard into the net and did not return.
Mike Sullivan said postgame that Brady's absence was precautionary, and he's "hopeful we’re going to get some of these guys back." So, they might not be shorthanded after all for Thursday's championship match.
But, if Team USA is short on forwards and can't dress a full lineup, they would be permitted to bring in a forward who was not on the initial roster, and play him only if they do not have enough healthy forwards to dress. Sullivan alluded to this Monday, saying he'd imagine they'd have "contingency plans" in that case.
Now, there's a pretty decent list of American forwards who didn't make the cut. The Canadiens' Cole Caufield may be at the top of that list, with 26 goals and 23 assists in 56 games.
But if Team USA does end up needing to bring in a forward -- for one game, with limited practice time, to replace the Tkachuks -- it might help if the forward is someone Sullivan has extensive familiarity with already. Someone who can penalty-kill. Someone who already has chemistry with a player in their top-six.
Someone ... exactly like Bryan Rust.
It's not like Rust is undeserving -- his 20 goals rank second on the Penguins, and his 42 points rank third in 48 games. Those added aforementioned connections would just be a bonus.
Thursday's game is a ways away, and there's a decent chance the U.S. won't end up needing to add a forward. But if they do, Rust would really be a great option.
Just something to ponder over the next few days.
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Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
We’d love to have you!