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Binnington vs. Thompson: The Decision That Could Sink Canada

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Old Prof | Last updated Feb 16, 2026 9:35 PM ET

Every Olympic year seems to come with one great Canadian debate. Sometimes it’s the line combos. Sometimes it’s the refs. This year? It’s the crease. Specifically, is Team Canada’s Jordan Binnington the right guy in the net? Because a whole lot of fans are nudging the conversation toward Logan Thompson.

Good Goalie Play Is Half Science and Half Magic

Goalie debates are interesting because good goalies can be so different. Goaltending is half science, half magic trick, and sometimes you can’t tell which half you’re looking at. Binnington’s supporters say he’s earned his shot. Team Canada’s Jon Cooper keeps backing him publicly, and to be fair, the Blues’ goalie has had moments where he looks completely locked in. Those stretches remind you why he once carried a team through a playoff run.

But you can’t ignore the other side: Binnington has lived a hard hockey life behind a struggling St. Louis team. Game after game, he’s always out there fighting off a variety of hockey demons. With the Blues, he sees a swarm of rush chances and defensive breakdowns.

When a goalie lives like that long enough, it’s tough to tell if a good game is skill, survival instinct, or just a lucky night when the puck keeps hitting him in the logo. Some nights, Binnington looks like the guy who once lifted the Stanley Cup. Other nights, he’s something far less.

Logan Thompson Is Calm and Drama-Free

Speaking of Thompson, he’s the calm one in this conversation. No fuss, no theatrics, just steady goaltending. He has that relaxed posture that makes coaches feel safe. He’s the goalie who doesn’t make you hold your breath every time the puck crosses the blue line. Many Canadian fans think he’s just what Canada needs if they want to avoid the one bad bounce that sends them home early.

So here we are again, a hockey nation staring into the crease and asking the big question: go with the guy who’s done it before, or ride the one who feels a little safer?

In the Olympics, One Mistake Can Turn an Entire Game

Canada doesn’t get many freebies at the Olympics. One mistake can ruin the whole tournament. And sooner or later, Cooper’s going to have to decide which goalie he trusts when the ice gets heavy, and the whole country needs to rise to the occasion together.

The goalie debate isn’t going anywhere. And that’s half the fun.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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