PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Everyone is looking forward to the star-studded Four Nations.
Tre Kronor has released its national team squad of 23 players.
But Sweden is now facing harsh criticism in North America.
It is the most anticipated hockey tournament right now. Everyone just waits for the Four Nations in February when all the NHL players don their national team jerseys again and get to represent their nations.
Tre Kronor’s player
An abundance of stars await on the ice and on Wednesday evening, Tre Kronor released its squad for the tournament. 23 Swedish NHL players are selected and we will see big names such as William Nylander, Elias Pettersson, Victor Hedman and Erik Karlssonsee the full team below.
READ MORE: Sam Hallam answers Peter Forsberg’s speech after the criticism
The latter has received a lot of criticism this season and recently found himself in the middle of a heated debate within Swedish hockey. Then former national team captain Johan Garpenlöv didn’t want to see “World’s best Karlsson” in the Swedish Four Nations squad.
Criticism in North America
When Sweden announced the new national team squad, there was also serious criticism of Karlsson from North America. As a lot of American Pittsburgh Penguins fans vent their displeasure against the Swede.
“Have so much fun with Karlsson. Take him back to Sweden later,” writes a user on Facebook.
“As a Penguins supporter, I can guarantee you that Erik Karlsson has no idea what the concept of defensive play is,” writes another.
“Erik Karlsson does not deserve to be here. He can’t be trusted in the defensive end,” writes a third.
READ MORE: The Frölunda supporter’s absolutely perfect mockery of Brendan Shinnimin
On the other side of the Atlantic, you are not at all impressed by the Swedish Four Nations squad and also Mika Zibanejad received criticism after his efforts this NHL season.
“Looks like Sweden has the weakest team in the tournament. So many underperforming players in this team,” writes a North American.
“We say a prayer for William Nylander who is forced to play with Mika Zibanejad in the Four Nations,” writes another.
But the big shock in North America is directed at William Nylander. Where many people cannot at all understand why he plays for Sweden – and not for Canada, where he was born.
“Why isn’t William Nylander, who was born in Calgary, on Canada’s team instead?”, writes one user.
“How can Nylander be in Sweden’s team when he was born in Canada?”, writes another.
What do you think of Sweden’s squad for the Four Nations? Share the article and have your say!
Sweden’s squad:
Goalkeepers
Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild
Jacob Markstrom, New Jersey Devils
Linus Ullmark, Ottawa Senators
Backs
Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres
Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames
Mattias Ekholm, Edmonton Oilers
Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
Gustav Forsling, Florida Panther
Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins
Jonas Brodin, Minnesota Wild
Forwards
Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles Kings
William Karlsson, Vegas Golden Knights
Joel Eriksson Ek, Minnesota Wild
Gustav Nyquist, Nashville Predators
Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings
Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers
Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks
Elias Lindholm, Boston Bruins
Viktor Arvidsson, Edmonton Oilers
Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators
Jesper Bratt, New Jersey Devils
William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs
Share