Team Canada GM Sends a Message to Oilers Players Cut From 4 Nations Faceoff Roster
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Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Team Canada rosters for the upcoming 4 Nations Faceoff were officially unveiled tonight, and in an interview, General Manager Don Sweeney had a message for players that were cut from the roster - including three prominent Oilers.
Sweeney spoke to Sportsnet tonight after the roster announcement. Sweeney explained some players were cut for a poor start to the year or roster identity decisions. However, he also added that replacements need to be ready.
Just trying to make sure we weren't missing players that were playing well, that were gonna fit the identity that the coaches had laid out We left off some great players that could easily represent Canada in this event, and they very well may. That was messaging afterwards some guys will be waiting in the wings.
- Don Sweeney
- Don Sweeney
Sweeney hinted that possible changes may come later to the roster as they head closer to the February 12 start date. Injuries could occur that make players unavailable, and some of the players left out may be called upon.
The message to players is clear: even if you're off the roster, be ready for this year and make your case for the future.
It's very possible that could include the three prominent Oilers cut from the Team Canada Roster: Zach Hyman, Evan Bouchard, and Stuart Skinner.
All three players had fantastic seasons last year that greatly contributed to the Oilers Stanley Cup run, and what have been among the final cuts of the roster.
Zach Hyman has been mired in a brutal scoring slump early this season, only notching 3 goals in 20 games after scoring 54 last year - a drop off that may have scared away Team Canada. Still, Hyman could've fit perfectly with the checking identity in Canada's bottom six.
Stuart Skinner has been wildly inconsistent this season since taking the Oilers to the Cup Final, and with his save percentage far below .900 this season, it was fair that he be cut from the roster. He's been better lately, but Skinner's turnaround is too little too late.
Evan Bouchard may be the most questionable roster cut out of all the Oilers. The right shot defenceman scored 82 points last season, and while he has some defensive blunders, he's an elite puck mover that would work well with Canada's talent. Instead Canada opted for gritter defensive defenceman, and that may prove to be a costly choice.
If another player is unavailable to play for Canada come February, Bouchard and Hyman could be among the first players getting a call from Sweeney to be ready.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 4 | 78 ANSWERS Team Canada GM Sends a Message to Oilers Players Cut From 4 Nations Faceoff Roster Do you think Zach Hyman, Evan Bouchard, or Stuart Skinner should've made the Team Canada roster? | ||
| Yes, one should have made it | 35 | 44.9 % |
| No, all being left off is right | 41 | 52.6 % |
| See Results | 2 | 2.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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