Several Oilers Could be Cut From Team Canada Roster Due to Poor Play This Season

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Liam McCormick
November 22, 2024 (5:35 PM)

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Team Canada is expected to unveil their roster for the upcoming Four Nations Faceoff within the next two weeks, and three Oilers who were expected to make the team may instead be cut.

Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard are total locks to represent Team Canada, but Stuart Skinner, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Zach Hyman may miss out on their chance due to their poor starts this season.

At the end of last year's playoffs, Stuart Skinner was squarely in contention to be a starting goalie for Team Canada, and now it looks like he won't even make the team as a backup. Through 14 games this season, Skinner ranks near last place in every goaltending category.

His save percentage of .876 is majorly concerning, and it's his lack of consistency that will likely keep him off the roster. The Oilers are even beginning to be linked to goalies in trade.

Daily Faceoff recently evaluated Team Canada's goaltending options for this year, and projected that Adin Hill, Jordan Binnington, and Samuel Montembault to be the named netminders.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins isn't the most offensively gifted 1st overall pick ever, but he's built a long NHL career being a reliable two way forward that can contribute some scoring.

Unfortunately, his play has taken a major turn for the worse this season. Nuge's speed has taken a hit, and his scoring has plummeted. With only 2 goals in 21 games, Nuge is on pace to score only 7 goals and 35 points this year.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is being called out for his poor level of play even by the Edmonton media, so it's not likely he's earning much love from the Team Canada executives.

Last season, Zach Hyman seemed like a total lock for Team Canada, playing the Chris Kunitz role for Connor McDavid.

Hyman has seen his scoring absolutely fall off a cliff from last season, too. He's still getting chances, but Hyman only has 3 goals in 20 games this year - a far cry from his 54 goal campaign.

NHL reporter Preston Hodgkinson recently rounded up these three Oilers to miss their chance to represent Team Canada because of their poor starts.

It's unfortunate, but the Oilers will still have plenty to cheer for to see Connor McDavid excel for the first time in a real international best on best tournament.