Blues Olympic Participation

[STL fan in MN]

I was looking over the roster and it occurred to me the Blues will have a fair number of their players going to the Olympics. Some are locks while a few others have outside shots of making their respective teams.

What sorts of odds do others give these guys?

France:
Texier - 100%

Switzerland
Pius Suter - 100%

Canada
Binnington - 100%
Parayko - 90%
Thomas - 50%
Holloway - 10%
Kyrou - 2%

USA
Fowler - 8%
Snuggerud - 5%

Sweden
Broberg - 15%

Anyone else?

My reasoning:
Texier is pretty much France’s best player. They will get absolutely dominated.

Suter will likely be the 2C behind Hischer for the Swiss. They likely also won’t fare well but will do better than the French.

Parayko is close to a lock but Canada will have lots of options.

Thomas should make the team as a bottom-6 forward if he produces at the same rate he has the last few years and stays healthy. But he has a lot of competition too.

Nobody seems to be considering Holloway but I think he’s primed for a breakout. Likely not enough to break into an absolutely loaded Canadian roster but he has a chance IMO. I bet he at least gets serious consideration. Army being the Canadian GM certainly won’t hurt.

Kyrou is very skilled and plays a style of game that should play well on the 200x100 Olympic rink where speed can be very deadly and physicality isn’t as important. But he’s not going to make it in a checking line role and Canada simply has better scoring options. He’d have to have a fantastic season and likely some injuries to others to be seriously considered.

Fowler is likely too old and the US D core is pretty loaded so he’s likely an afterthought. But if he can continue the level of play he did with the Blues last season (which is doubtful he can be THAT good again), then maybe he gets back on the radar.

Snuggerud is likely too young/inexperienced. Maybe better odds 4 years from now.

Broberg hasn’t been on any of the projected Swedish rosters I’ve seen but with another step this season, I could see him at least getting on the radar.

[kimzey59]

With Army being the Canada GM, I wouldn’t rule out Fowler getting a look. I don’t know that he makes the team, but Army has been known to pick guys for chemistry reasons.

Also; Buch is a lock for Russia if the war somehow ends by then. It’s doubtful but possible.

[Army's Mom]

Great topic and write up!

I wanted to take issue with Thomas at only 50%, but I your reasoning is solid. He'd have to sustain a new level of production (extend his March-April peak of last year) to elbow his way into their top 6 consideration. As good as he is defensively, apparently his underlying metrics (GF%) really dropped off as his offense peaked. Not unexpected, but also means he's not a lock for bottom six (though certainly capable).

[STL fan in MN]

With Army being the Canada GM, I wouldn’t rule out Fowler getting a look. I don’t know that he makes the team, but Army has been known to pick guys for chemistry reasons.

Also; Buch is a lock for Russia if the war somehow ends by then. It’s doubtful but possible.

Fowler was born in Canada but he’s an American. Has played for the US before in the Olympics as well as the World Championships, WJC, U18s etc.

Also, I doubt the war will be over by then and even if it is, I doubt they would reinstate Russia (or Belarus) that quickly. The Olympic field has already been determined. They’d have to either drop 2 teams or add Russia and Belarus and completely change the format to accommodate 2 additional teams. I don’t see them being willing to do either of those things.

[STL fan in MN]

And right on cue, Steener is announced as being added to Sweden’s Olympic management team where he will “assist with scouting and roster selection for the 2026 Olympic Games in Italy.”

https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/steen-ad ... -olympics

I may have to up Broberg’s odds to 25% with this news.

[Hockey Pete]

With Army being the Canada GM, I wouldn’t rule out Fowler getting a look. I don’t know that he makes the team, but Army has been known to pick guys for chemistry reasons.

Also; Buch is a lock for Russia if the war somehow ends by then. It’s doubtful but possible.

IMO, it'd be hard not to have a Canadian checking line with Thomas and Holloway playing together. Holloway's speed on that big sheet is very tempting, and while the other lines are trying to figure out a cohesion, those two hit the ice flying...

Just my 2 cents.

[callitwhatyouwant]

With Army being the Canada GM, I wouldn’t rule out Fowler getting a look. I don’t know that he makes the team, but Army has been known to pick guys for chemistry reasons.

Also; Buch is a lock for Russia if the war somehow ends by then. It’s doubtful but possible.

Fowler was born in Canada but he’s an American. Has played for the US before in the Olympics as well as the World Championships, WJC, U18s etc.

Also, I doubt the war will be over by then and even if it is, I doubt they would reinstate Russia (or Belarus) that quickly. The Olympic field has already been determined. They’d have to either drop 2 teams or add Russia and Belarus and completely change the format to accommodate 2 additional teams. I don’t see them being willing to do either of those things.

You guys made me remember the 4 nations social media question the Blues did on who would win the final, and I remember buchy saying something funny like no comment. Sure enough he said I don't care, Russia wins Olympics Russia.

Not getting political, But I was a former athlete that competed at the worlds level for juniors and there is something about missing that opportunity that would suck if it was something like your country being an active aggressor like what's happening. For a guy like Buchy, this 1 situation is likely the only time he would get to represent his country. Not going to get that chance. 20 years from now that stuff will annoy him. Can almost guarantee that. None of us choose where we were born. And even at our countries low points people still take pride. Not having no doubt the worlds top 3 team for hockey is brutal for the sport of hockey. But in the grand scheme of things, Russia has [F)ork A)round and F)ind O)ut] way too many times with cheating at the olympics, political messes etc etc.

[Hockey Pete]

BTW STL/MN, great topic and evaluation...

[blues2112]

BTW STL/MN, great topic and evaluation...

Agree!

[bud white]

I was just looking at this a few days ago and agree with your assessments although I think Kyrou is a stretch.

Russia is still under sanction by the IOC for the invasion of Ukraine, so Buchy won't get to play.

Binnington's 4Nations performance places him in the Top 3 if not in the starter's net. Especially if Cooper's the HC. (I too, have Holloway as a dark horse whose speed could be a factor.)

Personally, I had considered Fowler, but think he's too old. Depending on how his season fleshes out, he could be a #7 guy for his vet presence. Snuggerud is a long shot, but if he lights it up this season, youneverknow.

Broberg is on the fence too and his addition could come down to injuries. Right now, I'd venture to guess he's solidly in the top 10 Swedish D men.

[theograce]

I was just looking at this a few days ago and agree with your assessments although I think Kyrou is a stretch.

Russia is still under sanction by the IOC for the invasion of Ukraine, so Buchy won't get to play.

Binnington's 4Nations performance places him in the Top 3 if not in the starter's net. Especially if Cooper's the HC. (I too, have Holloway as a dark horse whose speed could be a factor.)

Personally, I had considered Fowler, but think he's too old. Depending on how his season fleshes out, he could be a #7 guy for his vet presence. Snuggerud is a long shot, but if he lights it up this season, youneverknow.

Broberg is on the fence too and his addition could come down to injuries. Right now, I'd venture to guess he's solidly in the top 10 Swedish D men.

Binnington played very poorly in the tournament with the exception of the final, where he made some key saves.

It’s his net to lose based on that game/outcome though, as Canada is far from a powerhouse in net

[bud white]

I was just looking at this a few days ago and agree with your assessments although I think Kyrou is a stretch.

Russia is still under sanction by the IOC for the invasion of Ukraine, so Buchy won't get to play.

Binnington's 4Nations performance places him in the Top 3 if not in the starter's net. Especially if Cooper's the HC. (I too, have Holloway as a dark horse whose speed could be a factor.)

Personally, I had considered Fowler, but think he's too old. Depending on how his season fleshes out, he could be a #7 guy for his vet presence. Snuggerud is a long shot, but if he lights it up this season, youneverknow.

Broberg is on the fence too and his addition could come down to injuries. Right now, I'd venture to guess he's solidly in the top 10 Swedish D men.

Binnington played very poorly in the tournament with the exception of the final, where he made some key saves.

It’s his net to lose based on that game/outcome though, as Canada is far from a powerhouse in net

Is Logan Thompson still "persona non grata" in the eyes of Team Canada? I would be interested in your take. I know it was a hot topic during 4Nations.

And frankly, Hockey Canada has no one to blame but themselves for their goaltending development. I know several former pros have been very outspoken on the subject.

[bud white]

To dovetail on the subject .. Team USA has to be concerned given Helly's playoffs last year .. and Oettinger's issues in the playoffs. I thought they were both pretty pedestrian especially when you consider that going into 4Nations, everyone was touting USA's tendies.

[theograce]

I was just looking at this a few days ago and agree with your assessments although I think Kyrou is a stretch.

Russia is still under sanction by the IOC for the invasion of Ukraine, so Buchy won't get to play.

Binnington's 4Nations performance places him in the Top 3 if not in the starter's net. Especially if Cooper's the HC. (I too, have Holloway as a dark horse whose speed could be a factor.)

Personally, I had considered Fowler, but think he's too old. Depending on how his season fleshes out, he could be a #7 guy for his vet presence. Snuggerud is a long shot, but if he lights it up this season, youneverknow.

Broberg is on the fence too and his addition could come down to injuries. Right now, I'd venture to guess he's solidly in the top 10 Swedish D men.

Binnington played very poorly in the tournament with the exception of the final, where he made some key saves.

It’s his net to lose based on that game/outcome though, as Canada is far from a powerhouse in net

Is Logan Thompson still "persona non grata" in the eyes of Team Canada? I would be interested in your take. I know it was a hot topic during 4Nations.

And frankly, Hockey Canada has no one to blame but themselves for their goaltending development. I know several former pros have been very outspoken on the subject.

The position is open for business with the exception of Binnington. It’s really quite bleak.

[STL fan in MN]

To dovetail on the subject .. Team USA has to be concerned given Helly's playoffs last year .. and Oettinger's issues in the playoffs. I thought they were both pretty pedestrian especially when you consider that going into 4Nations, everyone was touting USA's tendies.

At the very top, it all comes down to the mental game IMO. I’m not convinced Helly has it if I’m being honest. TBD for Otter.

Binnington isn’t as talented but he absolutely has the ability to get locked in mentally.

You never know how a season will go so maybe Binner doesn’t end up as the starter but in terms of making the team (they’re taking 3 goalies), he’s pretty much a 100% lock unless he gets injured.

Regarding, Canadian goaltending suffering over the years, they really need to do what the Russians, Finns and Swedes have been doing for decades. And what the Americans are kinda sorta trying to start doing - focusing more on goaltending at the youth levels and stop treating it like an afterthought. Most goalies in N.A. don’t get much specialized coaching and they’re little more than recipients of firing squads in practice. Way too many coaches have absolutely no idea how to teach goaltending.

Also, for those of you that have kids that play or are in any way associated with youth hockey in your area, I beg of you to pressure your association to make 6U (mini-mites), 8U (mites) and even 10U (squirts) cross-ice and with smaller nets. I was talking to someone recently that told me they did full ice with full 4x6 feet nets for their 8U team. I’m sorry but that’s nuts. The few kids that can skate really well will just dominate with all that open ice and the goalies aren’t going to learn a dang thing as 7-8 yr old sized humans simply can’t defend the top half of a 4x6 net. Going cross-ice leads to way more puck touches and puck battles. Much more small ice skills and generally more of a team game than individualistic. And have the goalies use an appropriate sized net. If you want them to develop proper technique as they grow, insist they use a net that’s proportional to the age. At our rink here we have 3 different sizes with the largest being the standard 4x6.

[theograce]

Binnington isn’t as talented but he absolutely has the ability to get locked in mentally.

He does. But part of it is timing and luck too. I mean Brady should have ended this game and shot it right in his glove. Had Canada lost that game there would be many more questions as Binnington’s play with Canada prior (including other tournaments) wasn’t very impressive.