2 goalies emerge as favorites for Team Canada Olympic roster.

It is an extremely exciting time to be a hockey fan with the return of high level international hockey feeling like it is just around the corner, unless you're counting the excellent Four Nations Face-Off we saw earlier this year. I am of course referring to the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy, the first Winter Olympics that will feature players from the National Hockey League in over a decade.

As you might imagine the competition for roster spots will be fierce with players from all around the world hoping to represent their respective countries but, with only a limited number of spots available to each country, not everyone will be able to make that roster

One of the hottest topics of debate coming into the Olympics has been the subject of goaltending for Team Canada, one of the presumptive favorites in the tournament, with some controversy around that position stemming from the aforementioned Four Nations Face-Off.

Many were shocked that Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson was left off the roster but it doesn't seem like there's any risk of that happening again. In a recent report, NHL insiders Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston revealed their belief that Thompson has played his way into one of the 3 spots that will be available for Canadian goaltenders at this tournament.

From The Athletic:

But as it stands, it feels like Binnington with Thompson and then either Hill or Kuemper. That’s obviously subject to change!

Of the 4 names mentioned there's no question that Thompson is off to the best start this season, with a 1.61 goals against average and a .930 save percentage to start the season. Kuemper would be next in line in that regard and his numbers aren't even really that close with a 2.52 goals against average and a .905 save percentage.

Binnington seems like a lock for the tournament despite his early season struggles, with the veteran NHL goaltender having all but secured that spot during the Four Nations Face-Off. Binnington led Canada to victory at that tournament and made some big saves at critical moments, something that I believe will guarantee his spot despite his St. Louis Blues having a terrible start to the season.

If I were a betting man that would leave Adin Hill as the obvious odd man out, something that a poor start to the season and an injury seems to have all but insured. Hill had a 2.73 goals against average and a .888 save percentage prior to being injured, and that combined with the questions around his health at the moment I believe will be enough to push him out of the running.