Well, the long awaited news has happened. The NHL and NHLPA have finally agreed to let NHL players participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.
https://twitter.com/HockeyHoundShow/status/1433803405332525061?s=20
According to the memo that the NHLPA sent to the players, the participants will leave for China on February 6th. The hockey games will begin on February 9, 2022 and conclude on February 20, 2022. (Mark your calendars!)
The National Teams will be able to select their respective “long list” of players and invitees on October 15th, 2021 (Soon!).
However, the NHL and NHLPA reserves the right to prevent participation before the games if health and safety becomes a concern. Most likely resulting from another COVID-19 Outbreak.
The Olympics Games will be played in a “very tight bubble” according to the memo sent by Don Fehr, Executive Director of the NHLPA. There has been no declaration of whether guests will be able to accompany the players as guests were not permitted in the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Another interesting development is that the Olympics will be played on an NHL-sized rink, as opposed to a larger and wider olympic-sized rink.
So what essentially does this mean for the Flyers?
Well, potential participation, of course! HUZZAH!…or not?
At first, I was excited at the thought of Flyers players potentially participating in the Olympics.
If it's October 15th and Sean Couturier's name isn't on the Team Canada long-list, I say we storm the border, who's with me.
— Johnny (Flyers) Hockey (@FlyersJohnny) September 3, 2021
But then resident logic aficionado, Dan Silver, quickly made me come to my senses.
Selfishly as a #Flyers fan, I'd prefer he not get selected for two reasons:
1) Rest
2) Motivation— Dan Silver (@dsilver88) September 3, 2021
Ah, a tale of two tweets. Thanks, Dan.
However, I digress. Let’s take a look at who on the Flyers could potentially get roster invites for their respective countries.
Here are your groups for men's #icehockey at the #Olympics. See you soon in #Beijing2022!
The last teams for women's ice hockey will be determined in November.
Full overview: https://t.co/XtqK0OQCDB@Beijing2022 @iocmedia @lhf_lv @DKIshockey pic.twitter.com/qLFH6eGer5
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 29, 2021
Sean Couturier (Team Canada)
Heather Barry (©)
As you can see above, I believe Sean Couturier should, at the very least, get a roster invite to Hockey Canada. Couturier has been one of the best two-way centers in the NHL over the past three seasons but I don’t need to tell Flyers fans that.
The only thing barring Couturier from being a part of Team Canada would be their impressive depth down the middle: Connor McDavid (EDM), Sidney Crosby (PIT), Nathan Mackinnon (COL), Brayden Point (TB), Mark Scheifele (WPG), Ryan O’Reilly (STL), Patrice Bergeron (BOS), Steven Stamkos (TB).
…That’s uhh….that’s some stiff competition.
However, as Dan alluded to, motivation and rest could play an important factor if Couturier is not selected.
Claude Giroux (Team Canada)
Wishful thinking? 100%. Still spiteful about the 2014 snub? Absolutely, no doubt about it. However, Giroux is still a productive player, and if Canada was looking for veteran depth on the wings while still adding a premier playmaker (even at 33 years old), then Giroux would fit the bill.
However, this is highly unlikely. Definitely unlikely. Not happening. This was more-so paying homage to Giroux and his unrecognized talent by Hockey Canada.
Ivan Provorov (Team Russia Olympic Committee)
Heather Barry (©)
Provorov should almost be a guarantee to make the Russian’s Top 6 Defensemen list. He has proved to be one of the best defensemen that the NHL has to offer.
The Russian-bear workhorse should see extended minutes on the Russian blue line in the olympics, paired with Tampa Bay’s Mikhail Sergachev.
I mean, Provorov did log 36:54 in a single game for Team Russia during the IIHF Worlds Men’s Championship back in June. Not great to hear from a Flyers perspective, but let alone, it is a great individual accomplishment for him. Who are we to judge.
Joel Farabee (Team USA)
I’m simply including Farabee’s name so no one his surprised if he gets a camp invite on October 15th. It’s a thought. I don’t think Farabee is there yet in terms of being on Team USA. Especially considering Team USA could very well be in contention for a Gold this upcoming Winter.
However, in 2026, I think Farabee makes a strong candidate for the United States Olympic Team if his development comes to fruition.
Carter Hart (Team Canada)
Heather Barry (©)
This one will be interesting and HIGHLY HIGHLY dependent on how Hart performs during the first half of the 2021-2022 NHL regular season. I mean, in terms of goaltending at the Olympics, you ALWAYS roll with the hot hand.
At this time last year, it was almost a guaranteed that Hart was amongst one of the best Canadian goaltenders in the league. But a lackluster 2021 season (I don’t need to tell you) in which Hart posted an .877 save % and a 3.67 GAA. Not exactly convincing.
Accompanied by the fact that Montreal’s Carey Price and Arizona’s Darcy Keumper had strong 2021 seasons and Las Vegas’ Marc-Andre Fleury (now Chicago Blackhawk) posted a Vezina-award winning 2021 season, competition for the Canadian net is HIGH. Factor in another goalie like St. Louis’ Jordan Binnington, You end up with 5 goalies and only 3 spots.
Oskar Lindblom (Team Sweden)
Again, this is another case where you anticipate an impressive bounce-back year (or at least, an impressive first half of the season).
If Lindblom gets hot to start the season into the month of January, he could potentially beat out a young-guy like Detroit’s Lucas Raymond, or Buffalo’s Victor Olofsson. As of right now, I’d say Lindblom is on the outside looking in but could potentially receive an invite on October 15th.
Rasmus Ristolainen (Team Finland)
Ah, everyone’s favorite. This shouldn’t be controversial at all.
Barring an incredible display of horrific defense (I am sure everyone would love that one), Ristolainen should 100% be featured on Team Finland’s 2022 Olympic Roster.
Other notable Finnish defensemen include: Esa Lindell (DAL), Sami Vatanen (DAL), Miro Heiskanen (DAL), Henri Jokiharju (BUF)
Dallas sure loves their Finnish defensemen, eh?
MY FINAL PREDICTION:
Sean Couturier (Team Canada)
Ivan Provorov (Team Russia Olympic Committee)
Rasmus Ristolainen (Team Finland)
Follow me on Twitter @FlyersJohnny
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