Canucks: Which players could play in the 2022 Olympics?

Group C:

Finland

The Canucks have lacked consistent top-end Finnish talent in the organization for a while now, and don’t seem close to having some in the organization unless they acquire them through a trade/free agency.

Lock: Nobody.

Possibility: Nobody.

Minimal Hope: Olli Juolevi.

Being considered for the Finnish national team is a pipe dream at this point of his career. Juolevi may struggle to even get game time on the Canucks backend this upcoming season. In other words, he must solidify a spot immediately if he stands any chance of playing for his country at the Olympics. The only reason Juolevi is even in the ‘Minimal Chance’ category is because of his potential as a former first round pick back in 2016.

Sweden

Lock: Elias Pettersson.

The Canucks young star is guaranteed to make the roster unless he has similar injury issues compared to last year. Pettersson should also find his way onto Sweden’s first line, albeit he may play on the wing to compromise for Sweden’s depth down the middle of the ice and the team’s lack of scoring on the wing.

Possibility: Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Nils Höglander.

Ekman-Larsson should make the Swedish team with relative ease, however his declining play may be a cause for debate if younger Swedish defensemen continue to play well during next season. Given that he played at the 2014 Olympics as well, I find it hard to believe OEL will be left off this squad. I’d put his chances at 90%.

Höglander is a true 50/50 shot to make the Swedish roster in my opinion, and is firmly planted on the bubble. His play last year with the Canucks certainly put him on the map with the Swedish faithful. If Höglander can continue to impress in his second year, particularly with his goalscoring, which is what Sweden lacks on the wing, then he stands every chance of making the roster and heading to Beijing.

Minimal Hope: Nobody.

Slovakia

Lock: Jaroslav Halak.

The Canucks newly acquired backup goaltender is a guaranteed lock to be Slovakia’s number one goalie in Beijing barring injury. The 36 year old has been the clear number one Slovakian goaltender ever since breaking onto the scene in 2003 with the Slovakian U-18 World Juniors team that won a silver medal.

Possibility: Nobody.

Minimal Hope: Nobody.

Latvia

Lock: Nobody.

Possibility: Arturs Silovs.

This was probably a name you weren’t expecting to see on here, but the Canucks sixth-round pick in 2019 has a chance of being on the Latvian roster come the 2022 Olympics. Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins will be the number one in Beijing, but Silovs has an outside opportunity to be the third goalie on the roster. After being left out of the 2021 World Championships roster, I’d put Silovs chances at around 25%.

Minimal Hope: Nobody.

What are your thoughts about the potential of these players going to play in the 2022 Beijing Olympics? Is there anyone else you reckon will be making the journey come February? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!