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The 4 Nations Face-Off is less than a week away, with Canada and Sweden meeting in the first matchup on Feb. 12. The United States and Finland follow up on Feb. 13 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN/E+), with the championship game set for Feb. 20 in Boston (8 p.m. ET, ABC/E+).

There will be 92 players representing the four countries in the inaugural tournament. How do all the players stack up with each other? (Note: There are currently only 91 players because Canada hasn’t replaced Alex Pietrangelo.)

We asked a panel of more than 50 ESPN broadcasters, analysts, reporters and editors to rate players based on how good they will be in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Write-ups for the top 40 in the rankings are courtesy of ESPN reporters Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski.

His partnership with Cale Makar has led to them not only being one of the NHL’s best pairings, but also one who can play in every scenario. — Clark

Preseason rank: 41

McAvoy can match up with any teammate — and across from any opponent — to be one of Team USA’s brightest stars on defense. His transition game is elite and McAvoy will open up space for Team USA’s forwards while also providing his own offense. — Shilton

Preseason rank: NR 41

The Wild goalie has put up strong numbers as the team’s primary starter, ranking in the top 15 in goals saved above replacement. Plus, if the Swedes need more offense, Gus is their guy, with a goal and an assist this season for Minnesota. — Wyshynski

Preseason rank: 36

Even though the Predators have struggled, Saros has remained a constant as he’s played in all but 11 of their games. — Clark

Preseason rank: 24

While this season has proven challenging, Pettersson has had moments when he’s looked close to the player who scored 102 points two seasons ago. That version of Pettersson could determine how far Sweden goes in the 4 Nations Face-Off. — Clark

Preseason rank: 37

Dahlin is second to Erik Karlsson for scoring by a Swedish defenseman over the last three seasons. — Wyshynski

Preseason rank: 53

Whether it’s in 5-on-5, the power play or the penalty kill, Faber has proven he can be trusted to play heavy minutes in all scenarios. — Clark

Preseason rank: 49

The speedy center had heated up as the Red Wings have climbed back into the playoff race in the East, with 9 goals in 14 games during January. — Wyshynski

Preseason rank: 43

Morrissey combines high-end defensive skills with a strong offensive upside and that’s what will help drive Canada’s contributions from the backend in this tourrnament. He’s quick, smart and super competitive. — Shilton

Preseason rank: 43

The Golden Knights defenseman is on pace to shatter his career high in points, with 45 in his first 53 games, making him a top-three scorer for Vegas this season. — Wyshynski

Preseason rank: 39

Hintz is one of the most underrated goal-scorers in the NHL, with three straight 30-goal seasons and on his way to a fourth with 22 goals in his first 48 games. — Wyshynski

Preseason rank: 86

Raymond is a highly-skilled winger who has followed up a breakout 31-goal season with another strong offensive campaign for the Red Wings. — Wyshynski

Preseason rank: 85

Kempe has been a top-line goal-scoring winger for the Los Angeles Kings over the last four seasons thanks to his swift skating. — Wyshynski

Preseason rank: 18

Guentzel is opportunistic and a brilliant finisher with the puck. It’s no wonder then he can easily average over a point per game and pairs relatively well with just about anyone. The ability to form quick chemistry will be imperative now and Team USA will be counting on Guentzel to make that magic happen. — Shilton

Preseason rank: 29

Canada boasts one of the game’s best two-way forwards in Stone to anchor its bottom-six forward group. The veteran is also an excellent playmaker who can frustrate opponents in the corners and break up plays in transition. — Shilton

Preseason rank: 28

Miller won’t be sweating any trade rumors now and is free to be the versatile asset Team USA needs. He can play center or on the wing, and combines good speed with a heavy shot and physical presence. Whatever the USA has to dial up, count on Miller to be a significant factor in the team’s offensive success. — Shilton

24. Adam Fox, D, United States

Preseason rank: 38

Fox has three straight 70-plus point seasons, playing in all situations for the Rangers. — Wyshynski

Preseason rank: 34

Forsberg’s offensive prowess has him on pace for his third season of more than 80 points in the last four years. — Clark

Preseason rank: 79

Bratt is one of the NHL’s most explosive stickhandling wingers, playing at nearly a point-per-game pace over his last three seasons. — Wyshynski

Preseason rank: 19

Aho is an elite two-way center on a Finland team that already boasts another such rarity in Aleksander Barkov. So watch out. Aho is a premier scorer and playmaker who handles every responsibility with apparent ease. His penalty killing isn’t bad either. This may be the flashiest Fin of them all — Shilton

Preseason rank: 58

Now that Connor is fully healthy, he’s on pace for his first 100-point season as the Jets remain in contention for the NHL’s top record. — Clark

Preseason rank: 32

Nylander is crafting a career year offensively in Toronto while continuing to show his growth at both ends of the ice — which has only made the Swede more dangerous. He’s also been a cunning threat and his penchant this season especially for creating — and capitalizing on — breakaway goals should have the other three teams on high alert. — Shilton

Preseason rank: 74

Werenski has been the Columbus Blue Jackets’ MVP this season, leading his team in scoring as a defenseman and logging nearly 27 minutes per game. — Wyshynski

Preseason rank: 25

Ottawa’s captain is known for his passion and typical Tkachukian grit. But Tkachuk is more than just a younger Matthew — he’s a tenacious skater who can drive any line and elevate teammates. When Team USA players needs a sparkplug, they’ll have it every shift doled out to Tkachuk. — Shilton

Preseason rank: 21

Canada coach Jon Cooper knows exactly what he’ll get from Point — and it’s a top-tier performance. Point is versatile and determined, strategic and quick on pucks, and always (seemingly) one step ahead of an opponent’s defense. It’s what helps drive the Lightning’s offense and could be a game changer for Canada. — Shilton

Preseason rank: 30

It’s hardly overreaching to say Reinhart has become one of the best fowards in the game. He’s coming off a 94-point season and is on pace to hit terrific numbers again as a savvy, high-octane scorer who doesn’t skimp on the defensive side, either. Reinhart is one of Canada’s most well-rounded skaters. — Shilton

Preseason rank: 23

Several items have come to define Hedman throughout his illustrious career. Consistency is among them. That consistency has allowed the Lightning to remain an Eastern Conference challenger and could give Sweden a path to the championship game. — Clark

Preseason rank: 8

Rantanen’s recent trade to the Carolina Hurricanes means he’s now going to be the primary focal point. It’ll be the same way for Finland too. The hulking winger has established himself as one of the game’s strongest facilitators while consistently proving that he can score just as many goals as he creates. — Clark

Preseason rank: 16

It’s never been a question of talent for Eichel. It’s been more of a conversation about what he could do with that talent. What he’s done for the Golden Knights is emerge as a top-line center who can be trusted in every situation in a way that makes him a factor each time he steps on to the ice. It’s also another reason why he’s in the running for the Hart Trophy. — Clark

Preseason rank: 5

Tkachuk can (and does) do it all on the ice and that will continue to be his superpower in this tournament. Whether it’s channeling his physicality around the net, terrorizing the defense with his scoring skills or separating himself as a playmaker, Tkachuk’s teammates know they’ll get a determined effort from him in every game. — Shilton

Preseason rank: 15

Hughes is a dominant passer who will push the pace for the U.S. up front and create his own chances along the way. New Jersey’s star skater is dangerous in all three zones and should pad his team’s transition game with a top-end level of speed. Somehow, Hughes makes it all look effortless. — Shilton

Preseason rank: 14

Marner won’t be taking a back seat to anyone on Canada’s roster given the level of skill and talent he’s bringing. The winger is a powerhouse at even strength and on the power play. He can eat up shorthanded minutes. And did we mention the playmaking? It’s second to none in the league — and this tournament. — Shilton

Preseason rank: 13

If Crosby’s done anything this year it’s show why he can never be counted out. In a horrific year for Pittsburgh at large, Crosby has kept producing and continuously wills his team into the fight. It’s that latter leadership ability that could benefit Canada most and is a key reason why, whether Crosby falls into a top-six or more complementary role, he’s an indispensable piece of the lineup. — Shilton

Preseason rank: 10

Barkov is doing what Barkov does best this season. He’s averaging a point per game while still operating as one the game’s strongest two-way forwards. Knowing that Finland could have Barkov anchoring a line with Rantanen is the sort of combination that could see them go far in the tournament. — Clark

Preseason rank: 12

For all the challenges facing the Canucks, Hughes’s performance this season hasn’t been one of them. The reigning Norris Trophy winner looks like he could collect the award again as he’s on pace for a second straight 90-point season while keeping the Canucks in the race for a playoff spot. — Clark

Preseason rank: 6

Matthews was tapped as Team USA’s captain for a reason — he’s made the most of this injury-plagued NHL campaign as a point-per-game skater who, as ever, can tilt the ice in his team’s favor. And that shot? It’s lethal as ever — just like Matthews is proving to be. — Shilton

Preseason rank: 3

The reigning Hart Trophy winner for the NHL’s MVP, MacKinnon is having the sort of season that could see him repeat that feat. He leads the NHL in points and his all-around play could help Canada challenge for a 4 Nations title. — Clark

Preseason rank: 31

What he did last season saw Hellebuyck win his second Vezina Trophy. What he’s done this year has allowed him to have what might be the best season of his career and could see him win more than just a third Vezina. — Clark

Preseason rank: 4

Makar’s ability to impact several facets of the game is what makes him one of the NHL’s best players at any position. Already teammates with MacKinnon, having those two on the ice along with McDavid for a power play could cause quite a few problems. — Clark

Preseason rank: 1

His status as the game’s best player has been consistently cemented by the fact he’s finished with more than 100 points seven times in his career. McDavid is on pace for a fifth straight season of more than 100 points, which only adds to the intrigue of what he could achieve at the 4 Nations Face-Off. — Clark

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Auburn’s Simmons faces domestic assault charge

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Auburn's Simmons faces domestic assault charge

Auburn wide receiver Malcolm Simmons, an expected starter this season, was arrested Wednesday on a charge of domestic assault with strangulation or suffocation, according to Lee County (Alabama) Sheriff’s Office records.

Simmons was booked into Lee County Jail at 7:20 p.m. ET. His bond was set at $20,000.

An Auburn spokesperson said in a statement, “We are aware of the situation, are gathering the facts, and will address the situation.”

As a freshman last season, Simmons was second on the team with 40 receptions, including three going for touchdowns. He also returned a punt for a score.

He is one of the players Hugh Freeze mentioned at SEC media days earlier this week, when the Auburn coach said he thinks this can be his best receiving corps since he was at Ole Miss.

Simmons is the second Auburn player to be arrested this month. Linebacker D.J. Barber was dismissed from the team last week while facing multiple drug charges, including trafficking marijuana.

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Court reverses decision on Badgers’ Fourqurean

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Court reverses decision on Badgers' Fourqurean

MADISON, Wis. — The status of Wisconsin cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean for this season is now unclear after a federal appeals court overturned a preliminary injunction that had granted him another year of NCAA eligibility.

In a 2-1 decision rendered Wednesday, Seventh Circuit judges reversed the ruling by a lower court, after the NCAA appealed.

Fourqurean, a fifth-year senior, had argued that his first two college seasons at Division II Grand Valley State should not count toward his eligibility.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is expected to play again after winning his court case last year on the grounds that his two seasons at a junior college do not count. The NCAA is appealing that decision but granted a blanket waiver that will allow Pavia and other athletes who played at non-NCAA Division I schools prior to enrollment an extra year of eligibility if they were going to exhaust their eligibility this year.

The path forward for Fourqurean, a projected starter, is less clear with Wisconsin’s season opener against Miami (Ohio) on Aug. 28 just over six weeks away. Messages sent to attorneys listed as his representatives in court documents, as well as spokespeople for Wisconsin football, were not immediately returned.

The NCAA released a statement after Wednesday’s ruling, noting it “will continue to work together to provide unparalleled opportunities for student-athletes and future generations.”

“The member-approved rules, including years of eligibility, are designed to help ensure competition is safe and fair — aligning collegiate academic and athletic careers to provide high-level opportunities and benefits to hundreds of thousands of student-athletes,” the NCAA said. “We are thankful the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals today reversed the district court’s decision.”

Fourqurean testified during a U.S. District Court hearing in February that he would make “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in name, image and likeness compensation if he were to play this season. After judge William Conley granted him the preliminary injunction, Fourqurean pulled out of NFL draft consideration and took part in spring practices.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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‘Starving’: Bama ready for DeBoer revenge tour

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'Starving': Bama ready for DeBoer revenge tour

ATLANTA — As Alabama looks to improve upon last season’s 9-4 record in its second season under head coach Kalen DeBoer, those within the program are well aware of the lofty expectations but say they enter this season with a greater sense of comfort surrounding the program’s future under DeBoer.

“I feel like especially last year, it is hard, man,” Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson told ESPN on Wednesday at SEC media days. “You’re coming from Coach Saban to Coach DeBoer, everyone — everyone — is going to have something to say. Everyone wants to know, ‘How’s the new coach?’ or ‘What’s the difference?’ or something like that. But yeah man, we were all for Coach DeBoer. I remember he walked in — the first day he walked in — we all sat up in our chairs ready to go. And from that day we all been on the DeBoer train, probably more now than ever.”

Last year, Alabama lost four games and finished outside the Associated Press Top 10 for the first time since 2007. It was the third time in 11 seasons the Tide missed the playoff, this time finishing No. 11 in the selection committee’s final ranking but getting bumped from the 12-team field to make room for three-loss ACC champion Clemson.

While preseason favorite Texas has garnered the most spotlight here at the College Football Hall of Fame, where media days are being held, there’s a quiet confidence brewing at Alabama.

“We’re starving,” Lawson said. “We’re not hungry, we’re like starving. And that’s different. That’s different. … Just to see no one transfer out of here when the time came, man, it just shows you that we got guys that’s willing to do what they have to do to make us the most successful team that we can be. I’m just super excited. I know the guys are ready, and we go at it with each other every day, and I’m sure we all can’t wait until we see a different color jersey even though we haven’t even got into camp yet.”

DeBoer said he’s spending less time building the culture of the program and more time breaking down what happened in the four losses last year, and how they’ll operate when certain situations happen.

“That’s where we have to be better,” he said. “because we fell short, five- six- seven-point losses. It’s one play here, one play there that might have changed the outlook of the game.

“In some cases, it wasn’t something anyone was doing wrong, it was just, ‘Man, be better,'” he said. “It’s not on the players, it’s not on the coaches, it’s just reps. Repetitions. Just do more together, more time together helps you feel more comfortable.”

Even with a new quarterback and a familiar face in first-year offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who was with DeBoer at Washington, DeBoer said his gut feeling about this year’s team is simply having a better sense of who it is.

“You still don’t know Week 1 exactly what it’s going to look like, right?” he said. “… I know what I’ve got with these guys. It doesn’t guarantee you anything, but it gives you optimism, a lot of excitement, and continue to keep it honed in and headed in the right direction all together.”

DeBoer has said that if the season started today, Simpson would be the starter, but he continued to stress that he will be tracking all of the quarterbacks’ throws at practices, and watching their poise and leadership. Simpson, the most experienced of the bunch, completed 58% of his passes for 381 yards in three seasons at Alabama. Austin Mack was with DeBoer at Washington before following him to Alabama, where he went 2-for-3 for 39 yards and a touchdown in his lone appearance last season. Incoming freshman Keelon Russell was the No. 2 overall recruit in this year’s ESPN 300 and was the 2024 Gatorade High School Football Player of the Year.

DeBoer said Simpson doesn’t want to let anyone down — almost to a fault — and wants to make sure the young quarterback knows that, “if you’ve given everything you have, you’re not letting us down because he didn’t convert a third down, or didn’t have a drive that ended in a touchdown. … you don’t have to live in that, the fear of failure.”

“When you’re not experienced … sometimes you feel like, ‘Man, I want to go make that play,’ and it isn’t the right calculated risk to take,” DeBoer said, “… or things happen a little faster because you don’t have enough of those reps, but he’s done a great job. He’s working hard to make sure he’s taking care of the football, leading us. He’s obviously a great teammate.”

Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor said he’s confident in the pass protection “for whoever’s back there” at quarterback. He, too, said he’s confident in DeBoer, whom he said shares some of the same qualities as former legendary coach Nick Saban.

“I knew that our athletic director wasn’t just going to choose anybody to have this position,” Proctor said, “and if coach DeBoer being there is the right fit, then I’m behind it.”

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