The Edmonton Oilers and Team Canada

Team Canada is set to begin its Olympic orientation camp this week and Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall will both be there. I think it’s pretty obvious to most that Taylor Hall has the best chance to be with the team in Sochi this coming February and Jordan Eberle is a close second, but what I want to talk about today it the Oilers players that aren’t attending camp that may have a chance, with good strong first half performances.

In my mind the most notable name left off the list is goalie Devan Dubnyk. Dubey (as I like to call him) has never said no to donning the red maple leaf in international competition. He’s suited up for Canada in the under 18 championships with a 3-3 record and a 2.02 gaa. Dubnyk is also a veteran of three world championships with a 6-0 record, a 1.2 GAA and a .935 save%. Last season Devan’s GAA was up there, but his save percentage (.920) was 14^th best in the NHL. Pretty impressive numbers if you ask me, in fact of the goalies invited only Corey Crawford (.926) had a better NHL save percentage last year. I see no harm in, at the very least, an invite and the possibility of him being the third string tender.

Next on my list is second year defenseman Justin Schultz. Stephen Whyno from the Globe and Mail wrote an article the other day (here) and had Schultz on his list of ten players that could make the team without attending the orientation camp. While I don’t agree with some of Whyno’s choices, Schultz impressed at the world championships last April and I could see him making it to the taxi squad.

Ok, now for the next and last player on the list. I can’t believe that I haven’t seen him mentioned as a possibility before, but here it is; Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. This kid is a stud, and I think his injury riddled season is why he didn’t get an invite to the camp. But if RNH can be healthy enough to start the season I think that he will play so well that the management staff of the Canadian Olympic team will have no choice but to consider him for a role on the team. The Nuge is a great all around player, his defensive play is well beyond his years and his offense is pretty damned good too. Hopkins is going to turn in to one of the best centers in the league soon and mark my words if not on this team; he is a lock for the 2018 Olympics.

The one advantage all these players have is that the Canadian team management committee features Oilers president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe. Lowe has had a say in the selection of the Olympic roster since back when Gretzky ran the team back 2002, and with the exception of 2010 there has been at least one Oiler on the roster. 2002 – Eric Brewer, Ryan Smyth; 2006 – Chris Pronger, Ryan Smyth.

I think there is a very reasonable possibility that we could see at least 3 Oilers on the team this year. What say you?

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