Hockey Canada's choices in goal show team's true weakness

As February approaches, anticipation is building for the return of best-on-best international hockey at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. This tournament marks the first such event in nearly nine years and will feature four of the world's top hockey nations: Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States. With rosters yet to be finalized, one of the most pressing questions for Team Canada is who will fill the crucial role of goaltender in the absence of Carey Price.

The NHL Network recently highlighted six potential goaltenders for Canada: Tristan Jarry, Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, Stuart Skinner, Connor Ingram, and Logan Thompson. Each of these players brings unique strengths and challenges, making the selection process a challenging task for Team Canada General Manager Don Sweeney.

Price, who was instrumental in Canada's gold medal win at the 2014 Winter Olympics and their 2016 World Cup victory, has retired due to a knee injury, leaving Canada without a clear number-one goaltender. This has opened the door for a new generation of goalies to prove themselves on the international stage.

Jordan Binnington appears to have an inside track for one of the roster spots. His recent experience with Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Hockey Championship in Czechia, where he represented his country in May, gives him a significant advantage. Hockey Canada used the World Championship as a platform to evaluate potential candidates for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off. While Binnington may not start in the tournament opener, his inclusion in the roster seems likely.

Another strong candidate is Stuart Skinner, whose impressive performance in the 2023-24 NHL playoffs with the Edmonton Oilers, particularly during the Western Conference Final and Stanley Cup Final, has positioned him as a viable option for Canada. His recent form suggests he could be a critical asset for Team Canada.

The third goaltending spot will likely be a closely contested battle among the remaining candidates. Connor Ingram is coming off a career-best season with the Arizona Coyotes, where he tied for the NHL lead in shutouts with six. Now playing for Utah Hockey Club, a relocated version of the Coyotes, Ingram is set to benefit from a bolstered defensive lineup, including players like Mikhail Sergachev, John Marino, and Ian Cole. This improved support could further enhance his performance in the coming season.

Tristan Jarry, experienced a challenging season, losing his starting role in Pittsburgh toward the end of the campaign. However, like Ingram, Jarry also recorded six shutouts, showing flashes of his potential. His ability to reclaim the starting job with the Penguins or adapt to a tandem role will be crucial in determining his chances of making the national team.

Adin Hill, who battled injuries throughout the season, has a chance to prove himself as the starting goaltender for the Vegas Golden Knights. With Logan Thompson now with the Washington Capitals, Hill's increased opportunity in Vegas could allow him to showcase his skills and secure a spot on the Canadian roster.

Logan Thompson will enter his first training camp with the Washington Capitals, competing for the starting role against Charlie Lindgren. The Capitals' recent defensive acquisitions, including Jakob Chychrun and Matt Roy, could aid Thompson's performance and make him a compelling candidate for Team Canada.

Team Canada is set to open their 4 Nations Face-Off schedule on February 12th at the Bell Centre in Montreal against Sweden. As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on these goaltenders as they compete for a chance to represent their country on the international stage.

The final decision on Canada's goaltending trio will depend on how these players perform in the early stages of the 2024-25 NHL season. With such a competitive pool of talent, Don Sweeney and his management team face a challenging decision as they aim to assemble a roster capable of competing for gold in February.