While the goaltending is worrying to some degree I still believe Hill and Binnington, guys who do best in the playoffs and higher pressure situations, could get it done. While it would be great to have an actual solidified elite goaltender like the US or Russia, I think the strength of the roster in general will be able to compensate. MacKinnon, McDavid and Makar are possession monsters who have shown they can and will take over playoff series and games, as well as Bedard who has gamebreaking and clutch potential on the big stage.
I hope Canada doesn't take Lowry, a guy with a career high 35 points, or Wilson. I like Wilson and his style of play and is valuable in the playoffs, but I could also see him taking a shit penalty in a tie game or a penalty that starts a comeback. Verhaeghe, Laf and even longer shots like Hagel/Konecny or Byfield can provide checking/speed and skill.
The margins are thinner on the intl stage, if Wilson loses a team a game in the playoffs it isn't ideal but his value is him being able to wear down opponents throughout a series, as opposed to the olympics which is 6-8 games max and losing 1 game can mean the end of the tournament.
Hockey Canada seems to constantly overthink things though by trying to include grinder players or feel good stories. WJC is clear evidence of this, with guys like Allard and Minten, while Heidt, Cristall, Firkus got snubbed.
Although they do try rotate out more older experienced players to give younger guys a shot which is somewhat understandable considering its a young tourney. There's no excuse for this on the biggest stage of all though.
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