Olympics: Mystery remains surrounding Canadian replacements

Jonathan Di Gregorio
Olympics: Mystery remains surrounding Canadian replacements
Credit: Getty Images

Although we've known the identities of the players who will make up the Canadian men's team at the upcoming Olympics for over ten days, club officials have been rather discreet about who would make the list of fifteen reserves.

Today, Pierre LeBrun revealed the identities of six of Canada's reserve players, all forwards, who could get a call-up in the event of injury.

And they're not the least of them: Connor Bedard, Sam Bennett, Seth Jarvis, Wyatt Johnston, Travis Konecny, and Mark Scheifele.

These could be the first two trios of several national teams.

And understandably, these are names that some would have preferred to see on the team Canada will be sending to the Olympics in February, as some selections don't sit well with fans and journalists alike.

Among these players, Bedard (20), Johnston (20), and Jarvis (23) are all under 23—one of the reasons they weren't selected—and they'll certainly have the chance to defend Canada's colors on the international stage when they're more experienced.

It's clear that the Canadiens will be strong at center for some time to come.

As for veterans Bennett, Konecny, and Scheifele, they would undoubtedly have had their place on the national team, but for the time being, it's very subjective to debate the decisions made by the Canadiens before the games even begin.

In fact, nine of the fifteen players on the reserve list have yet to be announced. And with six forwards whose identities are known, the team has yet to announce its replacement goalkeepers and defenders.

One wonders whether Habs defensemen Mike Matheson and Noah Dobson might also be on Team Canada's reserve list.

Although both defensemen are having very good seasons, the Canadiens officials have put together a big, strong defensive brigade, while Matheson and Dobson are relying more on their mobility.

Even if it were only symbolic, a nomination to the reserve team would still be a nice way of underlining the good work of two players this season.

In short, we should have the answer soon.


Overtime

– Bruins win.

– He's still capable.

– The champions eliminated.

– What a dunk!

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