Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner is barely holding on to being in contention for Team Canada this season, but his bid to represent his country got a boost now that Joey Daccord has been eliminated as a candidate.
According to Elliotte Friedman on the latest edition of Saturday's Headlines, Joey Daccord is out of contention for Team Canada because he does not have a Canadian passport.
"Daccord can not be selected by Canada this week because he does not have a Canadian passport. He does have Canadian citizenship, and proof of it, but not a passport. When this was all created, the passport was the thing."
- Elliotte Friedman
Joey Daccord was born in Boston, USA, but has dual citizenship and Team Canada was heavily considering the 28 year old journeyman goaltender.
Daccord has never solidified himself as a starter anywhere in the NHL prior to the last two years with the Seattle Kraken, where he's broken out to post an incredible .916 save percentage over the last two years.
He's only played 88 career NHL games which heavily reduces his case for Team Canada, but if selecting the best goalie at the moment, Daccord would be in conversation.
Stuart Skinner himself hasn't played much more games, with only 138 regular season matchups so far in his career. In the last two seasons Daccord has been the better goalie, especially this year when Skinner has fallen to an .882 save percentage.
Stuart Skinner was in contention for Team Canada when he took the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final, but after his lacklustre season so far, it's pretty clear that Team Canada may just have better options, and Skinner's played himself out of a roster spot.
The two locks for Canada's crease this year are Jordan Binnington and Adin Hill, two Stanley Cup Champions and proven starters in the NHL.
After that, the selection for the third goaltender is really up for debate - and it's where Skinner will make the team if he is selected. Skinner will be primarily competing with Samuel Montembault and Logan Thompson.
It would be incredible for Skinner to gain the recognition and confidence that would come with a team Canada appearance, but at this point, it doesn't feel likely. The full rosters for Team Canada will be released this week.
Still, Oilers fans will have plenty of reason to cheer for Team Canada to see Connor McDavid win his first major international tournament. First it will be the Four Nations Faceoff, and next will be the Olympics in Milan.
