NHL Insider Confirms Canada's Commitment to Veteran Goalie Jordan Binnington
In a recent episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, a highly respected NHL insider, made a definitive statement regarding Team Canada's goaltending situation. According to Friedman, veteran goalie Jordan Binnington is set to remain the team's primary netminder moving forward, despite facing significant scrutiny from fans and analysts alike.
Recent Performance Sparks Debate
Binnington's position has come under fire following a game against Team France, where he allowed two goals that many considered soft. The first goal resulted from a large rebound he kicked out, while the second slipped past him on an outside shot. This performance has fueled criticism, especially as Binnington has struggled throughout the current NHL season, posting statistics that rank him among the league's weakest goalies.
Friedman addressed these concerns on the podcast, stating, "One went through him. The other one, almost after that, he almost had another one go through him. But I thought he was fine. He's the guy. I'm not worried about it." Co-host Kyle Bukauskas noted it was a "weird game" for Binnington, with Friedman adding that the goalie faced only seven shots in over 40 minutes of play, suggesting such occurrences are part of the game.
Statistical Comparison with Backup Logan Thompson
The debate intensifies when comparing Binnington to Canada's other goalie, Logan Thompson. This season, Binnington has recorded 8 wins and 23 losses for the St. Louis Blues, with a save percentage of .864, making him the second-best goalie on his own team behind Joel Hofer. In contrast, Thompson has 19 wins and 20 losses for the Washington Capitals, with a .912 save percentage, indicating superior performance.
In the current tournament, Binnington has played in two games where Canada dominated offensively, while Thompson faced a tighter match against Switzerland. Statistically, Binnington has allowed 2 goals on 15 Grade A shots, whereas Thompson conceded 1 goal on 14 Grade A shots. Additionally, Binnington has made five significant mistakes on Grade A shots, compared to Thompson's one, including issues like rebounds and turnovers.
Coaches' Trust and Public Opinion
Friedman's insight suggests that Team Canada's coaches are firmly behind Binnington, likely due to his standout performance in the championship game of the Four Nations tournament earlier this year. Despite a slow start in that event, Binnington excelled in the final, earning the trust of decision-makers. However, public opinion remains divided. A poll by Cult of Hockey shows a majority favoring Thompson, though a substantial minority supports sticking with Binnington for the next game.
This situation highlights the tension between coaching decisions based on past achievements and fan expectations driven by current form. As Canada progresses, all eyes will be on Binnington to see if he can justify the faith placed in him by the team's leadership.
