Team Canada
Team Canada will be the favorite in Beijing next February. The loaded pool of Canadian talent features overwhelming offensive firepower which includes big names like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Steven Stamkos.
Despite the difficulty of making the Canadian roster, Flyers center Sean Couturier has built a reputation as one of the strongest 200-foot players in the NHL. He is not a guarantee to be selected, but I expect that Couturier will be able to make the roster based on his potential value as a fourth line player.
Flyers goalie Carter Hart will be in consideration for a spot on Team Canada. While Carey Price is the favorite to start in net, each team carries three goalies. Most roster projections have Hart, Jordan Binnington, and Braden Holtby competing to earn roster spots behind Price.
Hart’s performance this season will be the determining factor in his potential selection. Continued development could allow Hart to earn a spot at the most important position for the top country in the world just a few months after his 23rd birthday.
Flyers forwards Travis Konecny and Claude Giroux are playing at a level that has the Flyers as a legitimate contender in the best division in hockey. However, Team Canada could field two complete rosters with the potential to win the Gold Medal in Beijing. Players like Giroux and Konecny are unfortunately longshots to land a roster spot.