Slaf’s Olympic smile, Jacob Fowler’s role, and the Jordan Binnington debate

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Slaf’s Olympic smile, Jacob Fowler’s role, and the Jordan Binnington debate
Credit: Screenshot | Twitter Habs on Reddit

The Canadiens players who will be participating in the Olympics have arrived in Europe.

Of course, as you know, the Habs players are expected to play different roles. Of the bunch, Oliver Kapanen (extra) is likely to see the least amount of playing time.

Nick Suzuki could play with Nathan MacKinnon, while Juraj Slafkovsky and Alexandre Texier are projected to have a role on the first line.

But no matter what role they end up playing, the guys are just happy to be there.

Nick Suzuki said he ran into his friend Slaf at the Olympic Village. And according to the Canadiens captain, Slaf had a big smile on his face.

The Slovakian is happy to be back at the Olympics, playing with his countrymen and being able to speak his language in the locker room.

In my opinion, he's going to have a great tournament. We saw him take control of his line in Montreal, and I see him doing the same thing over the next few days with his national team.

Jacob Fowler's role

Jacob Fowler has been playing for the past seven games in Laval. Kaapo Kahkonen's injury has meant that the Laval Rocket has relied on the young goaltender more often than not.

It's gone well for the most part.

Hunter Jones was Fowler's assistant. But just before Fowler left for the All-Star break, the Rocket sent Hunter Jones back to Trois-Rivières.

Does this mean that Kahkonen is about to return to action once the All-Star break is over? Only time will tell.

The Jordan Binnington debate

It has long been known that Team Canada is lining up to play Jordan Binnington as #1 at the Olympics, considering that the Blues won the Stanley Cup with him and he won with Canada in 2025 in Boston.#FourNations

His poor season in St. Louis doesn't change the situation for the Olympics, and we know that. But does that stop people from questioning Canada's decision to line him up as the starter? Not at all, of course.

Let's face it, it's the right thing to do. And I say that as much for Canada (a country that doesn't have good goalies) as for the critics, given Binnington's rough season.

It's healthy to question things.

But let's be clear: he'll be in net to start, considering Jon Cooper won with him last year. And if the goalie messes up, we'll see what Canada decides as we go along.

But again, in my opinion, it's going to take a lot for him to lose his spot.


Overtime

– Nice shot.

– Interesting.

– Olympic captains.

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