With a January finale in tow with Columbus visiting, the St. Louis Blues only have a few games remaining before the Olympics begin. There are two more games following Saturday’s tilt, with travels to Nashville and Dallas before the break starts.
As the games are starting to count down, it is time to give a little refresher on who will be representing the Blues in the best-on-best tournament. There are five players, and each brings their own unique situation attached to them.
Let’s go over it.
Team Canada
This is going to be an interesting tandem, as both Jordan Binnington and Colton Parayko will be representing Team Canada. Much like the Four Nations Face-off last season, their contribution will be heavily relied upon.
Specifically, Binnington, even with an underwhelming and arguably undeserving performance this season with the Blues, is still the front-runner for the Canadian starter’s spot in net.
Parayko has been underwhelming as well, but only in part due to his inability to get on the scoresheet this season. Maybe the added defensive talent around him can loosen up his defensive-first approach and let his creative instincts shine on the offensive end.
Team Sweden
Representing Team Sweden is recently re-signed defenseman Philip Broberg. He joins an elite group consisting of Victor Hedman, Rasmus Andersson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Erik Karlsson, to name a few. This is a great opportunity for No. 6 to show what he is made of on a grand scale.
Team Switzerland
Pius Suter is slated to be on Team Switzerland, but he is still out with an injury. His return is imminent, and there should be no problem with getting back on the ice with not only his Olympic team but his NHL squad as well.
Team Slovakia
Dalibor Dvorsky, the young up-and-coming centerman is getting a chance to play with the big boys at the Olympic Games. He will be representing his home country of Slovakia, just like he did when he was in the World Juniors a few years back. He is going to be a must watch, and his return to the Blues afterward might send his career into the stratosphere.