With NHLers not attending, which former Leafs could suit up for Canada at the Olympics?
Hockey fans around the world were disappointed to learn that NHL players would not be going to the Olympics in Beijing this winter. With the current COVID-19 situation in the NHL, it was likely the right decision - even if it robs fans of the opportunity of seeing the likes of Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Leafs stars such as Mitch Marner and John Tavares suiting up for team Canada in 2022.
Much like in 2018, Hockey Canada will turn to European leagues to ice the majority of their roster for the 2022 Olympics. In 2018, we saw former Leafs such as: Ben Scrivens, Brandon Kozun, and Mason Raymond put on the red and white and win a bronze medal in Pyeongchang. Many former Leafs are likely on the radar for Team Canada's roster at the 2022 Olympics.
Justin Pogge - Goalie - Cologne Sharks (DEL)
Justin Pogge was once the goalie of the future for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team believed in him so much that they traded Tukka Rask to the Boston Bruins for Andrew Raycroft. Unfortunately, Pogge did not live up to expectations in the NHL, playing just 7 career games with a .844 save percentage.
Pogge has had himself a nice career in Europe. Bouncing around from Italy to Sweden, Russia, and now Germany. In 21 games this year for the Cologne Sharks, Pogge has a 13-7 record with a .915 save percentage. With a history of playing for Canada in tournaments such as the World Juniors and most recently the Channel One Cup. Don't be surprised of Justin Pogge is one of the goalies in Beijing in February.
Taylor Beck - Forward - Dynamo Minsk (KHL)
Taylor Beck never dressed in a game for the Leafs but will always be remembered in our hearts as one of the 5 players traded for Michael Grabner right before training camp in 2015. The 30-year-old torched the Leafs in the infamous 9-2 Nashville game and since then, he has settled in nicely in Europe. This year he has 29 points in 35 games, with 23 of those points being assists. Beck is one of the better Canadian playmakers in the KHL and could be seen on Team Canada this winter.
Peter Holland - Forward - Free Agent
Peter Holland spent parts of 4 seasons in Toronto and was an effective bottom 6 forward before he got on Mike Babcock's bad side early on in the Matthews era and was eventually traded to the Arizona Coyotes.
Holland was up and down between the NHL and AHL until he signed in the KHL in 2019. Holland was a solid contributor in the KHL but had a slow start in the SHL having 6 assists in 15 games before he and his club mutually agreed to terminate the contract. Could Beijing be the next stop for Peter Holland? A player with his track record would likely help out Team Canada this year.
Brendan Leipsic - Forward - Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)
Brendan Leipsic has not played in the NHL since 2020 when his contract with the Washington Capitals was terminated after misogynistic messages were leaked from a private group chat. He sits 5th of all Canadians in KHL scoring and would provide offensive firepower to Team Canada's forward group. Whether or not he deserves to be on the team is the question.
Stuart Percy - Defenceman - Ceske Budejovice HC (Czech ExtraLiga)
Stuart Percy was picked 25th overall by the Leafs in 2011 and is one of the many black marks of Brian Burke's drafting in Toronto. The 28 year old only played 12 career NHL games with the Leafs and went on to spend 5 years in the minors before signing in Finland last year.
Percy, now playing in the Czech Republic, has had two productive seasons in Europe. He's put up good point numbers and is likely on Team Canada's radar with his size and production in Europe.
It won't be the same seeing Team Canada without the greats that we are used to seeing but it will be fun to look at the rosters and point of the journeymen players that you remember watching on the Leafs at some point.
