It feels as though we are watching the torch being passed among Canadian goaltenders right before our eyes.
We are a year away from really getting into the 2022 Canadian Olympic hockey team debate, as NHL players are likely going to return after missing the Games in 2018.
I’d hate to put the jinx on young Carter Hart, but his back-to-back shutouts of the Carey Price-led Montreal Canadiens shouldn’t go unnoticed for what I think could be coming.
Hart has had another impressive year in his second season and is having an outstanding post-season in his first go-round.
When you shortlist the potential goaltenders for Canada’s Olympic team, Price and Hart should be at the top of the list. Braden Holtby and Jordan Binnington would also be considered.
Price’s experience likely gets him the nod. But like Martin Brodeur taking over for Curtis Joseph in 2002 or Roberto Luongo doing the same over Brodeur in 2010, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s Hart between the pipes in Canada’s biggest games come Beijing in 18 months.