Toronto Sports Analysts Voice Regret Over Team Canada's Roster Decisions
In a notable shift of perspective, several prominent Toronto-based sports commentators have publicly expressed their wish that Team Canada had included Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard and forward Zach Hyman on its Olympic roster. This sentiment highlights growing concerns about the team's defensive capabilities and its impact on superstar Connor McDavid's performance.
Craig Button's Critical Assessment
Former NHL general manager Craig Button, speaking on Toronto's Overdrive podcast, was particularly vocal about the omissions. "To me, when they didn't name Zach Hyman, I think it was a big mistake," Button stated emphatically. "I think the most important thing was to get Connor McDavid into a state where he could be as comfortable as possible, as confident as possible. And I think they took that away from him by not naming Hyman."
Button elaborated on his concerns regarding the defensive lineup. While acknowledging top defenseman Cale Makar's expected strong performance, he pointed to a significant drop-off after Makar to players like Josh Morrissey, Devon Toews, and Shea Theodore. "You can't play those guys all of them 30 minutes each," Button warned. "They're going to need some support from Parayko, Harley, Doughty, Sanheim. I think there's a significant drop then to your next four."
Defensive Vulnerabilities Exposed
The commentator expressed apprehension about how Team Canada would manage its defensive rotations. "If those next four defencemen—after the top four we've named—can't carry some significant play, how vulnerable are you in having to play them and not playing Makar more? That's where the challenge comes," Button explained, highlighting potential strategic weaknesses.
Button also referenced missed opportunities when injuries created roster openings. "The opportunity opened with late injuries to Team Canada picks Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli, and they didn't take it. And I think it's a mistake," he concluded, reinforcing his criticism of the selection committee's decisions.
Kypreos and Bourne's Analysis
Former NHL player Nick Kypreos, co-host of the Real Kyper & Bourne show in Toronto, echoed similar concerns about Team Canada's defensive composition. When discussing which Canadian defensemen could bring necessary pace after Makar, Kypreos and co-host Justin Bourne identified Theodore and Morrissey but questioned whether this would be sufficient.
"Do you have concerns that they don't have enough of that?" Bourne asked directly. "I do," Kypreos responded without hesitation. "Yeah, now I do."
When Bourne pressed about potential solutions, Kypreos suggested "Maybe your buddy on the island (hot shot rookie Matthew Schaeffer) or Evan Bouchard... Just watching how talented they were offensively and able to bring the pucks up and push really hard." This comment specifically highlighted Bouchard's puck-moving abilities as a missing element in Team Canada's roster.
International Comparison Concerns
Kypreos further contrasted Team Canada's defensive approach with that of their American rivals. He noted that Boston's Charlie McAvoy has "reached another level of play," giving the United States a slight defensive edge. According to Kypreos, Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong intentionally constructed what he described as a "car wash" defense—prioritizing long sticks and limbs to obstruct opposing attackers—rather than emphasizing offensive defensemen like Bouchard who excel at transitioning the puck.
The collective commentary from these Toronto-based analysts represents a significant acknowledgment that the Oilers' excluded players could have addressed genuine weaknesses in Team Canada's Olympic preparations. Their assessments suggest that roster decisions favoring defensive specialists over puck-moving defensemen and familiar linemates for McDavid might compromise Canada's gold medal aspirations.
