Canada Rolls, But Josh Morrissey Injury Casts Shadow on Olympic Win
Team Canada’s 5-0 win in Olympic men’s hockey was as close to perfection as you’ll see on this stage. From the opening faceoff, they played with pace, precision, and purpose.
The forwards were relentless on the forecheck, the defense clamped down in the neutral zone, and the goaltending? Cool, composed, and completely unbothered.
It was a statement game - the kind that reminds the rest of the tournament just how deep and dangerous this Canadian squad really is.
But even in a dominant victory, there was one moment that pulled everyone out of celebration mode. Just seven minutes into his night, defenseman Josh Morrissey left the ice and didn’t return.
He tried to give it a go in the second period, but it was clear something wasn’t right. And that was it - his night, and possibly more, was over.
Now, Team Canada hasn’t offered much in terms of details, keeping things tight-lipped - as national teams often do when injuries hit key players. But the optics weren’t great.
Morrissey, a cornerstone blueliner for both Canada and the Winnipeg Jets, is more than just a cog in the machine. He’s a stabilizer, a puck mover, and a leader.
Losing him, even temporarily, shifts the balance.
This is the tightrope NHL teams walk during Olympic years. The honor of representing your country is undeniable - and players fought hard to make sure Olympic participation was part of the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
But the risk? It’s always there.
Every shift carries the potential for a ripple effect that stretches far beyond the Games.
We’ve seen this before. John Tavares’ injury in 2014 didn’t just end his tournament - it derailed the Islanders’ playoff push that year.
And while it’s too early to know the full extent of Morrissey’s injury, the concern is real. For the Jets, who are already on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture, any extended absence from Morrissey could be the final blow.
Even if the Jets weren’t banking on a deep postseason run, losing a player of Morrissey’s caliber has implications beyond the standings. It could alter their approach to the trade deadline, which hits less than two weeks after the Olympic flame goes out. A team that might’ve been holding out hope for a late-season surge could now be forced to pivot - perhaps toward selling, or at least re-evaluating their roster priorities.
This is the cost of Olympic hockey - a price players are willing to pay, but one NHL teams are always wary of. For Canada, the tournament rolls on with momentum and confidence. But for the Jets, there’s a nervous wait ahead, and potentially some tough decisions to make.