NHL analyst gives surprising take on which Oilers will be cut from Team Canada
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
4 Edmonton Oilers have been named to Team Canada's Orientation Camp, and there's a good chance a majority of them make the team.
Connor McDavid, Evan Bouchard, Zach Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins were the 4 Oilers among the invitees to Hockey Canada's pre-Olympic Orientation Camp in Calgary this August. Only McDavid made Team Canada last time around at the 4 Nations Faceoff.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins may have more of a chance than believed to make Team Canada
To most fans, Nugent-Hopkins stands out as the longest shot to make the Team Canada Olympic roster. However, Oilers insider Kurt Leavins thinks that may not be entirely true.
Nuge is perhaps what I would describe as 'an elite complimentary NHL player' as opposed to «elite, period». But the longer I thought, the more I not only started to see the logic in the invitation. I started to think that Nugent-Hopkins could very well make this team. And perhaps should.
To make Team Canada, you either need to be super elite at one thing, or a guy who can do everything. The Nuge fits into that second category. He can play any forward position, PP, PK, play up with elite talent or «down» as a checker.
- Kurt Leavins
To make Team Canada, you either need to be super elite at one thing, or a guy who can do everything. The Nuge fits into that second category. He can play any forward position, PP, PK, play up with elite talent or «down» as a checker.
- Kurt Leavins
Nugent-Hopkins has shown consistent scoring ability throughout his career, even peaking with a 100 point season 2 years ago. Last year his scoring fell to just points, but he clearly has the offensive talent necessary for an elite tournament.
But most importantly, Nuge has a long history of playing quality two-way hockey with elite linemates, and against elite players. With experience in multiple Stanley Cup Finals too, he can be relied upon in the big moments.
For a 4th line centre job on Team Canada, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would be a fantastic fit on the roster - perhaps even more so than a player like Zach Hyman on the wings.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 10 | 291 ANSWERS NHL analyst gives surprising take on which Oilers will be cut from Team Canada Do you think Ryan Nugent Hopkins will make Team Canada? | ||
| Yes | 144 | 49.5 % |
| No | 147 | 50.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
