Alex Pietrangelo has officially withdrawn from the 4 Nations Face-Off due to an undisclosed injury, which will allow him to focus on the upcoming NHL season with the Vegas Golden Knights. The 35-year-old defenseman, who had already missed three games this season due to an upper-body issue, was a key selection for Team Canada. Pietrangelo is the first player to pull out of the competition.

With Pietrangelo unavailable, Team Canada's general manager Don Sweeney will evaluate several candidates to replace him. Edmonton Oilers' Evan Bouchard is a strong contender, having been a notable absence when the rosters were announced. Additionally, Drew Doughty, if fit, could also be in consideration as he recovers from a preseason ankle injury.

The tournament, featuring teams from Canada, the U.S., Sweden, and Finland, is set to take place from February 12 to 20, primarily hosted at Montreal's Bell Centre and Boston's TD Garden.