"New York Islanders fans were elated at the inclusion of Bo Horvat on Team Canada's roster last Wednesday, but simultaneously let down by Matthew Schaefer's unceremonious snub. Well, the snub might not be much of a snub after all. During the post-announcement press conference, Team Canada GM Doug Armstrong revealed that there was a "stand-by list" of players next in line for the team. Since Armstrong declined to get into names on said list, speculation has ramped up as to who might be on it."
"Looking at the eight-man defensive core, Team Canada essentially went with the same group as the 4 Nations Face-Off. That group prioritizes size and toughness. Beyond Cale Makar's magic hands, the group is a combination of defensively responsible blueliners like Devon Toews and head-clunkers like Colton Parayko. Others like Shea Theodore and Thomas Harley offer a balance of speed, puck movement, and solid defensive play."
"However, adding Schaefer would add a completely different dimension to the squad. As for playing time, even if Schaefer made the time, it's unlikely he'd jump into the lineup right away. Although there could be a case to give him a look during round-robin play. Canada wouldn't be facing its top opponents until the elimination round. So, that could be an opportunity for the Islanders' rising star to get some looks."
Team Canada named an eight-man defensive core that mirrors the 4 Nations Face-Off, prioritizing size and toughness. The group includes Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Colton Parayko, Shea Theodore, and Thomas Harley, combining puck movement, speed, and physicality. General Manager Doug Armstrong revealed a stand-by list of reserve players but declined to name individuals. Insider David Pagnotta identified New York Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer as the first defenseman on that reserve list. Schaefer would introduce a different dimension to the lineup. He is unlikely to play immediately but could see opportunities during round-robin games or if injuries open a roster spot.
Read at Eyes On Isles
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]