There is no question that the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off was incredibly hockey and there was alot of people invested, from the players to the fans. There is no guarantee that this will become a regular event but it would be surprising if the NHL didn't move forward with it.
The question is when the next tournament might take place with the 2026 Winter Olympics next season. There is a chance they could look to do it in 2027 before the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, which was announced earlier this month. If the tournament does take place two years from now, there are a few players within the Los Angeles Kings organization who have a good chance to earn a selection.
3 Los Angeles Kings who could play in the next 4 Nations Face-Off
Adrian Kempe (Team Sweden)
Adrian Kempe was one of two players currently with the Los Angeles Kings to play in this tournament. While Drew Doughty was part of Team Canada, who would end up winning the tournament, Adrian Kempe was part of Team Sweden.
He was a big part of the team and played over 15 minutes in each of the three round-robin games and had a goal in the first game of the tournament against Team Canada. Kempe is only 28 years old so if the tournament is two years from now, he should still be playing at a high level and should earn another selection.
Quinton Byfield (Team Canada)
Team Canada was relatively older among the teams and they could be looking for younger players the next time they build out the roster. One of the players that certainly has the talent to make the team is Quinton Byfield.
The former second overall pick hasn't been as productive as many would have hoped but he has shown flashes at time with 20 goals last season and 11 already this season with 18 assists. There is no question that Byfield will need to improve but if he takes those steps in his career, it wouldn't be surprising if he made the team.
Erik Portillo (Team Sweden)
Erik Portillo has only made one NHL start in his career but he looks like the goalie of the future for the Los Angeles Kings, a future that could begin as early as next season. The Kings added Portillo in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres and he has looked relatively good, mostly with the Ontario Reign, to this point.
This season, Portillo is 15-5-3 with a save percentage of 0.889 and a goals against average of 2.82 but in his one start, he would allow only one goal and had a save percentage of 0.966. Team Sweden is probably looking for some new goalies with Linus Ullmark set to be 33 in two years and Jacob Markstrom being 37.
If Portillo does become the starting goalie next season, and plays well, he should be a serious contender to make Team Sweden's roster.