MONTREAL — Jon Cooper is prepared to send one of his forwards out on defence.
Canada’s head coach also doesn’t believe that’s a bridge the country will have to cross at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
“I can't imagine that anybody that's in charge is going to let us play short,” Cooper said Thursday at the Bell Centre. “That wouldn't be right for anybody.”
Canada is facing some roster uncertainty after defenceman Shea Theodore exited Wednesday’s tournament-opening win against Sweden.
Theodore — who quarterbacked Canada’s second power-play unit — will miss the remainder of the event and is considered week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Seventh defenceman Travis Sanheim will take his place in the lineup.
Tournament rules prevent Canada from calling up another defenceman as long as the team has 18 healthy skaters. That means Canada, which currently has 19, would have to dress 13 forwards and five defencemen in the event another blueliner goes down.
Cooper, however, suggested there should be some wiggle room if that happens.
“I think there's some grey (area) in what happens next,” Cooper said. “You have to think of all situations and everything that can happen. But it would be tough for me.
“You hope it doesn't happen anymore, but there's a chance (injuries) will. But if we're allowed to dress 20 and 18 of them are all forwards, then we just play it that way. But I think all of that will work out, it's above my pay grade though.”
The 4 Nations Face-Off is an NHL-run event that also includes the United States and Finland, who met Thursday night. The tournament, announced at last year’s all-star game, serves as an appetizer for the NHL’s return to the Olympics in 2026 for the first time since 2014.
Russia was excluded from the tournament because of its ongoing war in Ukraine, while reigning world champion Czechia is also on the outside looking in due to a competition-compressed window.
Canada gears up for a highly anticipated matchup against the United States on Saturday night in Montreal before the tournament shifts to Boston for two remaining round-robin games and the final on Feb. 20.
Theodore going down opens the door for Sanheim to step onto the big stage.
“I guess that’s the other side of it,” Sanheim said. “It’s been something that I’ve dreamt of doing. Very excited, I just said that I’d be ready if they needed me. You’d hate to see it happen this way, but I’m looking forward to it."
Cooper wouldn’t divulge where Sanheim could line up — only six players took the ice Thursday morning for an optional practice in Brossard, Que. — but the Philadelphia Flyers defenceman should see action on Canada’s penalty kill.
“Big body, can skate, can play at this tempo,” Cooper said. “He's one of the guys soaking it all in and taking in the environment and how these experiences do nothing but help his game. Excited for him to play, to experience this, but more than that I know he can play. He'll be just fine."
'HOCKEY JUNKIES'
Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon were the last players to leave their media availabilities after Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime win. Less than 12 hours later, the two superstars from Cole Harbour, N.S., were the first members of Canada’s squad to step on the ice at CN Sports Complex.
"Those two, they're hockey junkies,” Cooper said. “Everything is about the game, and they talk about the game, they live the game and you don't see that a ton. When you rise to this level, you can have a tendency to take your foot off the gas or get used to the life. I've watched it countless times with players. But those two, they don't take it for granted.”
Crosby and MacKinnon took one-timers, practised deflections and worked on some finer details for more than half an hour.
Sanheim was shocked to see Crosby and MacKinnon step onto the team bus on a snowy morning in Montreal after MacKinnon played 20 minutes and Crosby reached 17 the night before.
“I thought maybe they were coming to the cold tub/hot tub instead of hopping on the ice,” Sanheim said. “That’s just who they are. They enjoy working and getting better at their craft. You can take a lot from them.”
WAITING THEIR TURN
While Sanheim draws into the lineup, forward Sam Bennett and goaltenders Adin Hill and Sam Montembeault are still waiting to get the nod.
“I knew there was a chance that I wouldn't be in,” Bennett said. “All I can do is control what I can control. I would have come here and been a part of this if I knew I wasn't playing one game.”
Canada’s goaltending is considered by far its biggest weakness. Starter Jordan Binnington allowed a less-than-stellar three goals on 26 shots against Sweden — including a wrist shot by Adrian Kempe that he’ll surely want back — but stood tall with a game-saving stop on Mika Zibanejad in overtime.
So far, nothing indicates that Cooper will make a switch in net on Saturday.
“You ask any person in the world, they want to play,” said Hill, who watched from the bench Wednesday as Canada’s backup. “But I’m just honoured to be able to represent the country and wear the Canadian sweater."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2025.
Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press