Team Canada Left Off a Game-Changer - and It Might Come Back to Haunt Them
Team Canada’s Olympic roster is officially locked in, and as always, it’s stacked with talent from top to bottom. But even with all that firepower, one name not on the list is raising eyebrows across the hockey world: Evan Bouchard. The Edmonton Oilers defenseman has been left off the team in favor of Colton Parayko - a move that’s stirring up real debate, especially when you look at how both players are trending this season.
Let’s be clear: Parayko brings size, shutdown ability, and a veteran presence. He’s a known quantity in the defensive zone. But in a tournament where elite skill and offensive upside often decide medals, Canada may have passed on a difference-maker in Bouchard.
Craig Button Pushes Back on the Bouchard Narrative
TSN’s Craig Button recently joined Edmonton Sports Talk and didn’t mince words when it came to the perception of Bouchard’s game. He challenged the idea that Bouchard is a defensive liability, arguing that offensive-minded defensemen are often judged more harshly than their stay-at-home counterparts.
Button even invoked the name of Ray Bourque - not to compare careers, but to highlight how players who drive offense from the back end are often underappreciated for the things they do right. “For every 20 things they do right, they do 3 things wrong,” Button said, pointing out how the narrative can skew unfairly against players like Bouchard.
And in a short tournament like the Olympics, where a single play can swing a game - or a medal - those 20 things matter a whole lot more than the three.
Bouchard Just Made History - and It Wasn’t Enough
If you're wondering whether Bouchard’s recent production could have made a case for him, the answer is a resounding yes. He recently exploded for six points in a single game - three goals, six points total, and eight shots on goal.
That kind of performance is almost unheard of for a defenseman. In fact, the last time a blueliner put up those numbers in one game was Bobby Orr - and that was back in the 1959-60 season.
No one’s saying Bouchard is Orr. But when you’re putting up numbers that haven’t been seen in over 60 years - and the only other guy to do it is in the Hall of Fame - it’s hard to ignore.
In the Olympic format, where every shift matters and momentum can flip on a dime, having a player who can tilt the ice like that is a luxury few teams can afford to pass up.
The Comparison: Bouchard vs. Parayko
Let’s talk current form. Parayko has 0 goals and 12 assists through 52 games this season, with a minus-10 rating. Now, plus/minus isn’t the end-all stat - we all know that - but when it’s paired with low offensive output, it starts to paint a picture.
Bouchard, on the other hand, is a catalyst. He quarterbacks one of the most dangerous power plays in the league, drives transition, and creates chances from the blue line.
His game thrives in open ice - which is exactly what you get on international-sized rinks. Bigger surface, more space, more time - and more opportunity for puck-moving defensemen to shine.
Canada didn’t need another stay-at-home guy. It needed someone who could dictate pace and push the tempo.
Olympic Hockey Rewards Skill - Not Just Size
This isn’t the NHL playoffs, where grinding down opponents in the corners is often the recipe for success. Olympic hockey, especially on international ice, favors skating, creativity, and puck possession. Teams that control the puck tend to control the game - and ultimately, the podium.
Bouchard’s style is tailor-made for that. His ability to jump into the rush, distribute with precision, and create offense from the back end would have meshed seamlessly with Canada’s high-end forward group. And let’s not forget his power-play acumen - in a tight semifinal or gold medal game, that’s the kind of weapon you want in your arsenal.
Parayko brings value, no doubt. But in a short tournament, upside can outweigh risk.
And Bouchard’s upside? It’s sky-high.
A Decision That Could Age Poorly
Now that the roster is set, the conversation shifts from projection to reflection. Craig Button’s comments highlight a broader truth: Bouchard’s game might still be rounding out defensively, but his impact is already undeniable.
Team Canada made its call. But if Bouchard keeps producing the way he has - and if Canada finds itself needing a spark on the power play or a goal from the blue line - this decision could go down as a missed opportunity.
Sometimes, the safe pick isn’t the right one. And Evan Bouchard’s omission might be the kind of choice that looks more and more questionable as the tournament unfolds.