Team Canada goaltending debate: Why Binnington isn’t the right choice

With the final months of 2025 in lieu, the NHL focuses on the Thanksgiving break and then onto the Olympic games in February, 2026. For the St. Louis Blues, there is one member of this roster that is at the forefront of Team Canada's roster decisions, and it became very interesting this week.

Jordan Binnington, the Blues' all-time winningest goaltender, has not had a very good 2025-26 campaign thus far. Many have projected No. 50 to return to his spot from the 4 Nations Face-off, as the starting goaltender of Team Canada in the Olympics, but that might not be the case come February.

Scott Wedgewood, who has been outstanding for the Colorado Avalanche, was just added to the player pool for Canada, inciting a possible change for the goaltending group.

For the Blues sake, and for Team Canada, having Binnington as the starting goalie for the biggest Hockey tournament every four years is not the best idea. February is still a ways away, and it can be a completely different circumstance if Binnington can turn it around, but as of now, it doesn't seem like a good fit.

Let's talk about why.

Not the same as last season

There are a couple of things that are not the same as last season for Binnington. He was not fantastic last season either, but he was much better than he is now. It is also important to note that the 4 Nations games were at the same time frame as this season's Olympic participation, so we will see if Binnington can improve by then.

Another thing to consider is the goaltender pool now, as compared to last season. Wedgewood, who was recently added, stands a very good chance of being the go-to guy. He has a record of 13-1-2 over 17 starts, a 2.09 Goals Against Average, and a save percentage of .918. That is a Vezina-winning stat line right there if he can keep it up. Last season, Binnington had to beat out Adin Hill of Vegas and Sam Montembeault of Montreal, which was as easy as saying that experience beat out youth there.

Slight chance it could be a good thing for all parties involved

The only thing that was a positive out of this Olympic appearance for Binnington, the Blues, and Team Canada was the result of the 4 Nations tournament and the subsequent impact it had on the Blues. Canada beat out the United States in that fantastic final, and the Blues went on a 12-game winning streak, setting a franchise record and sneaking into the playoffs.

Could that same thing happen again with Binnington at the helm of Canada's team for the Olympics? It is possible, but improbable. Anything can really happen between now and then, but as it stands now, Wedgewood seems like the better fit, and the Blues could benefit from their starting goaltender being snubbed as a form of motivation.