The 4 Nations Face-Off features most of the best players from Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland, and gives stars like Connor McDavid, San Ramon-born Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mikko Rantanen a chance to play in this type of event for the first time in their professional careers.

The San Jose Sharks have prime opportunities to grow their rookie’s skill and depth as well as better the team in the end. Even though the team will miss out on playoffs for the sixth year in a row, they can use this time to focus more on skill development.

NHL: San Jose Sharks face ex-teammates Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci on Saturday when they face the Dallas Stars at SAP Center

Vanecek is now 3-8-2 this season with a .887 save percentage. He could be in line to start again on Saturday when the Sharks host the Dallas Stars in their final game before the NHL breaks for the 4 Nations Face-Off, which runs from Feb. 12-20.

Mikael Granlund is back! Granlund spoke with local media before Saturday’s San Jose Sharks-Dallas Stars tilt. It’s been just one week since Granlund and Cody Ceci were traded to the Stars for a 2025 first and a conditional 2025 fourth (which becomes a third if Dallas makes the Stanley Cup Final).

The Stars are playing the second night of a back-to-back following an emotional shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

SAN JOSE – One day after seeing Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci traded to the Dallas Stars, the already thinned-out San Jose Sharks were forced to pick up the pieces Sunday and figure out the best way forward without their leading scorer and arguably their best defensive defenseman.