How does Army's Olympic snub affect Binnington and Thomas?

[a smell of green grass]

Army and the Blues coaches are Team Canada. They are a big part of who's in and who's out.

So if Binnington and Thomas are not selected...

How does that affect their motivation and confidence?

How does that affect the Blues fan's perception of their stars?

How does it affect Binnington's story in St Louis?

I knew that we could count on Army putting his own needs and legacy above the team.

Thanks, Army. Hope you have fun in the Olympics while the St Louis fans get to dine on losing hockey.

[zamadoo]

How did it affect Thomas' motivation and confidence after the 4 nations tournament last season?

[a smell of green grass]

How did it affect Thomas' motivation and confidence after the 4 nations tournament last season?

A big part of why Thomas ended the 2024/25 regular season so well is because he wanted to improve his chances to make Team Canada for the Olympics.

[Old_Goat]

If Thomas in particular is going to have his feelings and internal motivation hurt by being "snubbed" after his play of the past two months, then that is an example of his likely major problem.

[MiamiLaw]

If Thomas in particular is going to have his feelings and internal motivation hurt by being "snubbed" after his play of the past two months, then that is an example of his likely major problem.

Exactly what I was going to say. No way they’d see it as a “snub” if they have half a brain. There are clearly better options - particularly as to Thomas

[DawgDad]

If Thomas in particular is going to have his feelings and internal motivation hurt by being "snubbed" after his play of the past two months, then that is an example of his likely major problem.

Let's not overlook the fact that Thomas was injured. Only a specific number of players can be selected, there will likely be others whose consideration or participation is impacted by injury.

[TheJackBurton]

Binnington isn't getting snubbed he's the best Canada has currently.

Parayko will be going as well.

Thomas will have to up his play the next 6 weeks or so, he needs to start getting on the scoreboard nightly and multiple times at that.

He could still potentially be a solid choice for a 4th line roll or alternate with his faceoff numbers and defensive prowess, but right now he isn't making a case for much else.

Which is incredibly disappointing as I thought this would be the year he would absolutely take off and hit about 105-110 points. Unless he gets red hot over the next 58 games that isn't happening, and that would make for a really disappointing season for him.

[Frank Underwood]

Who the f#2k cares! If players want to make the team, then earn it. They understand that and if they don’t, then tough. Binnington would be the first to acknowledge if he doesn’t deserve to make the team……but I agree with Jack that he will make it.

As far as Army’s role, quit trying to invent stuff to fit your agenda.

[a smell of green grass]

Who the f#2k cares! If players want to make the team, then earn it. They understand that and if they don’t, then tough. Binnington would be the first to acknowledge if he doesn’t deserve to make the team……but I agree with Jack that he will make it.

As far as Army’s role, quit trying to invent stuff to fit your agenda.

Funny how everyone sees a lack of heart and soul in the team's play, but some rule out a potential cause because they claim that the same player's are so mentally tough and professional.

The same people have no problem as well with their GM galavanting around the globe while their team plays the worst hockey in the NHL.

[Frank Underwood]

Who the f#2k cares! If players want to make the team, then earn it. They understand that and if they don’t, then tough. Binnington would be the first to acknowledge if he doesn’t deserve to make the team……but I agree with Jack that he will make it.

As far as Army’s role, quit trying to invent stuff to fit your agenda.

Funny how everyone sees a lack of heart and soul in the team's play, but some rule out a potential cause because they claim that the same player's are so mentally tough and professional.

The same people have no problem as well with their GM galavanting around the globe while their team plays the worst hockey in the NHL.

The Olympics have absolutely nothing to do with why the Blues have sucked, and neither does Armstrong’s involvement with the Olympic team. We have a bunch of players underperforming, and we have several guys going thru the motions for whatever reason. That has nothing to do with the Olympics and nothing to do with Armstrong’s involvement with the Olympic team. Do I hold Armstrong accountable for this mess? Absolutely. He assembled the team, and he signed certain guys to long-term deals (Buchnevich). It’s his responsibility to fix it, one way or another.

[Pierre McGuire]

Binner is a lock. Army ain’t about to go to Italy without Binner. Thomas hasn’t earned it. Other bubble guys have been much better

[a smell of green grass]

Who the f#2k cares! If players want to make the team, then earn it. They understand that and if they don’t, then tough. Binnington would be the first to acknowledge if he doesn’t deserve to make the team……but I agree with Jack that he will make it.

As far as Army’s role, quit trying to invent stuff to fit your agenda.

Funny how everyone sees a lack of heart and soul in the team's play, but some rule out a potential cause because they claim that the same player's are so mentally tough and professional.

The same people have no problem as well with their GM galavanting around the globe while their team plays the worst hockey in the NHL.

The Olympics have absolutely nothing to do with why the Blues have sucked, and neither does Armstrong’s involvement with the Olympic team. We have a bunch of players underperforming, and we have several guys going thru the motions for whatever reason. That has nothing to do with the Olympics and nothing to do with Armstrong’s involvement with the Olympic team. Do I hold Armstrong accountable for this mess? Absolutely. He assembled the team, and he signed certain guys to long-term deals (Buchnevich). It’s his responsibility to fix it, one way or another.

Why do you think Army gets all the great jobs? 4 nations, Winter Classic, Olympics, etc.? Do you think it is because Army deserves it -- based on how well the Blues are rostered/playing? Or do you think it is because Army is wanting it so badly to pad his resume for the Hall? Or is it because no other GM wants the distraction?

[ManitobaBlues]

Binner is a lock. Army ain’t about to go to Italy without Binner. Thomas hasn’t earned it. Other bubble guys have been much better

Binnington is almost certainly going, as there are no viable alternatives. Parayko is on the bubble given the stronger defensive options now available for Canada. As for Thomas, his path to making the Olympic team likely depends on an injury creating an opening.

[Blues Dave]

Binner is a lock. Army ain’t about to go to Italy without Binner. Thomas hasn’t earned it. Other bubble guys have been much better

No doubt about Binner. Be nice to have good Neighbors also.

[bluetunehead]

As others have said Binner is probably still a lock to go. He might not get the nod as the starter out of the gate, but he’ll be on that roster. The coaching and management staff like him too much, and Canada really doesn’t have many other options who don’t have warts of their own.

Parayko still has very good underlying defensive numbers this year and proved his worth at Four Nations. Think he still has a good shot. Not a lock, but a possibility for sure.

Thomas just hasn’t shown it this year, and the Canadian squad is *so* stacked at forward. There is really no reason to take it as a snub. There are just so many worthy players to pick from.

[bluecalgary]

Canadian centres -

Crosby
MacKinnon
McDavid
Bedard
Celebrini
Scheifele
Suzuki
Johnston
Tavares
Cooley
Reinhart
Jarvis
Cirelli


Who gets bumped for the Thomas of 2025-26?