Canada Names Jordan Binnington Starting Goalie for 4 Nations Face-Off

The tournament highlights concerns over Canada's declining goaltending depth as international competition strengthens.

Jordan Binnington has been selected as Canada's starting goaltender for the 4 Nations Face-Off, beginning with a match against Sweden in Montreal.
Canada's current goaltending trio, including Binnington, Adin Hill, and Samuel Montembeault, has faced scrutiny for underwhelming NHL performance this season, with none ranking in the top 20 for key metrics like save percentage or goals-against average.
The decision to start Binnington reflects his past success, including a Stanley Cup win with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, despite recent struggles in the NHL this season.
The 4 Nations tournament serves as an opportunity for Canada to assess its goaltending options ahead of the 2026 Milan Olympics, where the position remains a question mark.
Former Canadian goaltending greats and analysts acknowledge the increasing quality of international goaltending talent, which has deepened competition globally.