Josh Ho-Sang (Nick Barden, Leafs Nation)
Team Canada has officially named their roster for the 2022 Beijing Olympics hockey tournament and it's underwhelming. Not to say I could've done a better job, as I didn't have access to watching all the practice tapes, but more so because of the NHL pulling out of the tournament.
We've known for several weeks now that we wouldn't get the highly anticipated best-on-best tournament in Beijing, but it really only settled in for me when I saw the IIHF's leaked tweet, revealing Canada's team, yesterday night. For the second consecutive Olympics, we will not get NHL talent on the international stage.
There is a significant lack of speed and skill on Canada's roster and currently I don't think they are the favourite for the tournament (I believe the Americans are the best-equipped to take the gold right now). There is a lot of size and experience, particularly on the back end. There are some notable players, to be fair, but Claude Julien has a major task ahead of him if he wants to prove that Canada can still dominate, even when not at their best.
In this article, I will be breaking down the key players to watch for Team Canada, the surprise cuts from the final roster and how the Canadians should prepare for this tournament.
The Roster
Forwards
Eric Staal (Alex Livesey, Getty Images)
The forwards aren't the strength for this team. My main wish was that we would get some young, talented players on this roster to bring some energy to the squad. It's clear that GM Shane Doan wanted physicality and an NHL background. Players like Kaiden Guhle and Kent Johnson didn't make the actual roster (Johnson is an alternate, who really should have made the actual team), which both surprised and disappointed me. Other players like goalie Dylan Garand weren't in the conversation, but it was surprising that prospects like Garand were barely even considered.
Another surprising exclusion was Eric Fehr. He played over 650 NHL games and was willing to play in Beijing. Other players like Ryan Spooner and Philippe Maillet were both left off the team, somewhat controversially.
However, there are still some interesting names on the list. Here are the highlights.
Eric Staal
One of the best forwards of his generation, Staal recently signed an AHL contract with the Iowa Wild and will be one of the team's most important forwards. He will have an important power-play role and may even wear the "C" for his country.
Mason McTavish
The 2021 third overall draft pick Mason McTavish was excellent at the World U18s and at the shortened World Juniors. He is one of those impressive offensive young players that I mentioned earlier.
Josh Ho-Sang
Toronto Marlies star Josh Ho-Sang is a good inclusion in the team by my estimation. He is a really solid play-driver and we've seen previously that he has a lot of talent with the puck on his stick.
Corban Knight
Former Philadelphia Flyer, Corban Knight, has been a good player in the KHL with Omsk Avangard. He'll likely start in the middle-six and be a decent producer for Team Canada.
David Desharnais
Veteran forward David Desharnais is another player who was expected to make the team and that has taken place. With nearly 300 NHL points under his belt, his savviness and hockey IQ will be a key tool as a second line center.
Daniel Winnik
A 10-year NHL veteran, Winnik had decent spells in Anaheim and Toronto. He is a hard-working winger who should provide stability for the team.
Jordan Weal
Jordan Weal, a former Hab and Arizona Coyote, had an entirely unremarkable NHL career. He was once traded for Vincent Lecavalier alongside current Kraken forward Carsen Twarynski. He should play up in the lineup and could possibly transition to the wing.
Jack McBain
One of the few prospects on this team, McBain is a Wild prospect having a good year in the NCAA. McBain should be a perfect fourth line center for Canada.
Defensemen
The D corps is Canada's strength at these Olympics. 2021 first overall pick Owen Power showed at the World Championships last year that he can succeed against NHL-calibre talent. They have loads of talented, puck-moving defensemen outside of power. I still think Guhle would have been a worthy inclusion on the blueline, but other than that I don't have any major complaints.
The Cody Franson and Eric Gelinas snubs were a little bit strange to me, particularly Franson who has proven to be a very capable blueliner in Russia and in the AHL in recent years. I do think Gelinas and Franson had good reasons to believe that they would make the team and I must say that if I was picking the team, at least one of them would have made my final roster.
Either way, if Canada wins the tournament, it'll be on the strength of their defense.
Mark Barberio
Longtime NHL defenseman Mark Barberio was selected to the team. He was a key part of the Colorado Avalanche just 5 years ago and could be asked to play top-pairing minutes for Team Canada this year.
Owen Power
Owen Power (Getty Images)
The highlight of the roster, Power may be the best rearguard on the team and is en route to becoming the next Alex Pietrangelo. He should be given power play time and will be a threat to make something happen whenever he hits the ice.
Jason Demers
Demers' prime offensive days have passed, but as proven by his minute-munching play in the KHL, he is still a reliable defensive option. He'll be the favourite to earn a role on Canada's top pairing, whether it be alongside Owen Power or somebody else.
Tyler Wotherspoon
Wotherspoon, like many on this team, never had a real impact at the NHL level, but as proven by him being selected in the second round of the 2011 draft by the Calgary Flames, he has talent. I expect him to be a decent second-or-third pairing D-man.
Brandon Gormley
Gormley never lived up to his first-round pick potential, playing under 100 NHL games. He was billed as a premier offensive defenseman and could be a sleeper to get some power-play time. He's represented Canada before and I think Gormley is one who will really improve his stock here.
Goaltenders
Devon Levi (The Canadian Press)
Goalie is where the biggest snub of the roster occurred. Devan Dubnyk, who would have been planning for a Spengler Cup run with Canada, was expected to start for Team Canada. I tuned into the Canadiens-Wild broadcast on Monday (what a disaster that was for the Habs) and Dubnyk was on at the intermission. It was surprising and eye-opening to hear what had happened. He was obviously interested and was in good shape, but Shane Doan passed him up for a different option.
That’s not to take anything away from Devon Levi, who was a part of one of Canada’s most dominant junior teams ever, breaking the national record with a .964 SV% throughout the tournament. It was simply surprising to not see Doan opt for a proven NHL goaltender.
Here are the goalies I expect will play for Canada.
Devon Levi
Currently having an incredible season at NCAA Northeastern, Levi was a part of the Sam Reinhart trade and is currently a Buffalo Sabres prospect. He may not get the starting job, due to his age, but I expect he’ll play some games.
Edward Pasquale
Former Lightning goalie, Edward Pasquale, is currently playing in the KHL. I personally expect he will get the starting job out of camp, due to his prior NHL experience, though Levi could push him to the backup role.
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