The Florida Panthers are about to have another champion. Maybe a few of them.
The reigning Stanley Cup champions are the only NHL team to have at least one player on each of the four rosters for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament that starts this week, meaning the Panthers are guaranteed to have someone on the winning squad.
Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett will skate for Canada, Gustav Forsling is playing for Sweden, Matthew Tkachuk is competing for the United States and four Panthers players — captain Aleksander Barkov, Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola — are representing Finland.
“I’m not cheering for anybody, because somebody’s winning. I know that for a fact,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “There’s a group of guys coming back in a really good mood.”
The Panthers have plenty more representation than just players at 4 Nations. Assistant coach Tuomo Ruutu will serve in …