Lowry a Team Canada dark horse

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This article was published 08/11/2024 (333 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“I don’t know about that.”

Adam Lowry had just been informed that NHL insider Elliotte Friedman mentioned him as a dark-horse candidate to suit up for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February and the Winnipeg Jets captain wasn’t quite sure what to make of the suggestion.

For the sake of context, the conversation with Lowry took place prior to his red-hot start to the season, one that has seen the veteran centre collect 11 points (2G, 9A) in 14 games for the Jets, who lead the league with an outstanding 13-1-0 record heading into Saturday’s game with the Dallas Stars.

Lowry’s line with Mason Appleton and Nino Niederreiter has outscored opponents 10-1 at five-on-five this season, while Lowry has been shining on the penalty kill, is a force in the faceoff circle and plays a physical style that brings teammates into the battle.

If you’re looking to protect a lead, Lowry is someone a coach can feel comfortable tapping on the shoulder.

“I’ll be honest, it’s not something I’ve given much thought to,” said Lowry. “Canada has so many world-class players. Obviously, it would be an incredible honour to just be included in the thought of potential selection.

“Do I think that’s probable? Probably not. It’s awesome to have best-on-best hockey. We haven’t seen the opportunity to have (Nathan) MacKinnon and (Sidney) Crosby play together in a meaningful lead up to the Olympics. To see the best players on display with their skill, it’s going to be huge for the game and it will be great to watch.”

Although the tournament is three months away, the 23-man rosters are due on Dec. 1, which means players are being scouted heavily and short lists are being made by the management teams for Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland.

The Jets figure to be well represented, with Josh Morrissey a lock to suit up for Canada — only Cale Makar has more points among defencemen this year — and goalie Connor Hellebuyck and left-winger Kyle Connor virtual shoo-ins to represent the United States.

Given the start Mark Scheifele is having with 18 points (7G, 11A) in 14 games, he’s a good bet to join Morrissey on Team Canada. Scheifele suited up for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey with guys such as MacKinnon and Connor McDavid, who figure to play a pivotal role for Canada as best-on-best competition returns.

“I think subconsciously, yeah it is (on your mind),” said Scheifele. “Everyone wants to see best on best. (The World Cup) was one of the most fun (times) I ever had playing hockey. Obviously I played with some pretty fun players and we succeeded. It was a great group to be a part of. I still think back to that tournament and how much fun we had.

“Obviously, it’s a goal of mine to make Canada, but like I said before it’s focusing on the Winnipeg Jets and doing what I can for this group.”

Jets head coach Scott Arniel believes Scheifele’s commitment to playing the right way without the puck should only bolster his chances to wear the Maple Leaf.

“One hundred percent. I really do. I know that with Canada, there’s a lot of centremen that they’re talking about,” said Arniel. “Obviously, when you get on those teams, minutes change. Everybody wants a chance to go, so they’ll play anywhere. They’ll play with anybody. Whatever the role is handed to them.”

Scheifele’s hockey sense, speed and ability to play a puck possession game also work in his favour. He’s got the speed and smarts to skate on a line with MacKinnon and/or McDavid and can shift over to play the wing if necessary.

Connor has been one of the most dangerous snipers in the NHL since becoming a regular and he figures to play a prominent role with the U.S. team, someone who could easily ride shotgun with Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs or Jack Eichel of the Golden Knights.

Hellebuyck looks poised to be in the conversation to win a third Vezina Trophy and is the front-runner to be the starter for Team USA, who could also have Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars, Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins and Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks in the mix, provided his health continues to improve.

A sleeper for the U.S. team could be Jets blue-liner Dylan Samberg, who has flourished in a second pairing role with Neal Pionk this season.

Samberg has played for his country in two world junior hockey championships and also at the 2023 world men’s hockey championship. A two-time NCAA Frozen Four champion, Samberg could be asked to play a shutdown role or serve as the seventh D-man, since he’s likely to be under consideration for the Olympic team down the road.

“Obviously that would be pretty cool. But so far, I’m just focusing on this season,” said Samberg. “You never know what they’re going to want or need at the time or what’s going to happen. I’m just going to keep worrying about my game and if it happens, it happens. That’s great and if not, it’s okay.”

By producing 13 points (3G, 10A) in 14 games and improving his defensive zone play, Pionk has probably worked his way onto the radar as well — though it’s too early to tell whether he or Samberg will be in the mix when the rosters are unveiled.

What Arniel knows for sure is that whoever has an opportunity to showcase their talents in the tournament in February should be coming home with some important experience to share with their teammates during the stretch run and into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

“That’s playoff hockey in February, that’s playing at an elite level against elite skill,” said Arniel. “When you have top players like that and have that desire to win, that’s what you want within your group and the more that have it, the better it is.”

With that in mind, here are our roster projections for Team Canada with just under three weeks left to go in the evaluation process:

Ken Wiebe’s Team Canada:

FORWARDS:

Sidney Crosby-Nathan MacKinnon-Sam Reinhart

Zach Hyman-Mark Scheifele-Connor McDavid

Brad Marchand-Brayden Point-Mark Stone

Brandon Hagel-Connor Bedard-Mitch Marner

Alexis Lafreniere

DEFENCE:

Devon Toews-Cale Makar

Josh Morrissey-Alex Pietrangelo

Shea Theodore-Brandon Montour

Evan Bouchard

GOALIES:

Adin Hill

Jordan Binnington

Stuart Skinner

THE SKINNY: There are tough decisions coming at each of the position groups, leading with between the pipes, since there is no clear-cut starter.

Hill and Binnington have Stanley Cups on their resumes, while Skinner dealt with some adversity last spring but regrouped to take his team to Game 7 before losing to the Florida Panthers.

On the back end, Drew Doughty could force himself into the mix if he’s healthy enough to play. Up front, some quality veterans could be left off the roster, with an eye on the Olympics and getting younger/faster.

Lowry is someone who merits consideration, but I’ve gone with Alexis Lafreniere for the 13th forward spot. Put Carolina Hurricanes forward and Winnipegger Seth Jarvis in the sleeper category, as he plays a responsible two-way game and is averaging nearly a point per game. Same goes for Tampa Lightning centre Anthony Cirelli, who is a favourite of head coach Jon Cooper.

Mike McIntyre’s Team Canada:

FORWARDS:

Zach Hyman-Connor McDavid-Sam Reinhart

Sidney Crosby-Nathan MacKinnon-Mark Stone

Brad Marchand-Bryaden Point-Mitch Marner

Alexis Lafreniere-Nick Suzuki-Mark Scheifele

Connor Bedard

DEFENCE:

Josh Morrissey-Cale Makar

Shea Theodore-Alex Pietrangelo

Devon Toews-Aaron Ekblad

Morgan Rielly

GOALIES:

Jordan Binnington

Adin Hill

Sam Montembault

THE SKINNY: I don’t envy the decision makers, especially when it comes to the forwards and defencemen here. Just looking at who I haven’t included it dawned on me that those skaters would make a heck of a “B Team.” Heck, maybe even a “C Team.”

The likes of Brandon Hagel, Steven Stamkos, Mathew Barzal, John Tavares, Wyatt Johnston, Robert Thomas, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Bo Horvat, Jonathan Marchessault, Ryan O’Reilly, Carter Verhaeghe, Quinton Byfield, Jordan Kyrou, Jarvis, Cirelli and Lowry up front. The likes of Evan Bouchard, MacKenzie Weegar, Brandon Montour, Owen Power, Noah Dobson, Vince Dunn, Thomas Chabot, Dougie Hamilton, Travis Sanheim and Doughty on the back-end.

It’s not nearly as deep in goal, where I think Binnington is the best of a fairly average bunch, Hill goes because of his Stanley Cup pedigree and Montembault is the young player who is brought along for experience and seasoning. Stuart Skinner, Logan Thompson, Connor Ingram, Cam Talbot, Darcy Kuemper and even Marc-Andre Fleury could all get consideration, too.

Fun fact: Jets backup goaltender Eric Comrie currently has the best save percentage this year of all Canadian netminders. However it shakes out, I’m excited to see what the final product looks like on the ice.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X: @WiebesWorld

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg