What Shea Theodore Injury Means For Team Canada

The Vegas Golden Knights were the biggest losers Wednesday night when Canada beat Sweden in the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament. Star defenseman Shea Theodore was injured early in the second period when he collided awkwardly with the boards after a hit from Adrian Kempe. Theodore exited the game and had X-rays. After the match, Team Canada’s head coach, Jon Cooper, announced that Theodore had been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

Team Canada is now in an interesting position. They’re down to six healthy defensemen– potentially five, as Cale Makar missed practice today due to an illness. While Jon Cooper is hopeful that Makar will be able to suit up tomorrow night against the USA, there’s no way to know for sure.

Losing Makar and Theodore in one fell swoop would be devastating for Team Canada. If Makar is out, Canada loses the power play quarterback for both units. In such a short tournament, they can ill afford a loss if they want to make the finals. Since they’re arguably the weakest team when it comes to goaltending, Canada will rely on their power play to win games. 

Suppose Makar is indeed out against Team USA tomorrow night. In that case, I imagine Josh Morrissey will quarterback the top unit, as he practiced on the 2nd power play unit on Monday in Travis Konecny’s absence.

Of course, if Makar is out, Canada only has five healthy defensemen. Fortunately for them, they won’t have to play 13-5. Here’s what Canada can do:

Enter: Thomas Harley

Yesterday, Team Canada called upon young Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley to replace Theodore– but Harley wasn’t allowed to join the team in Montreal. He could join the team when the tournament shifted to Boston and be “on call” in case Canada lost another defenseman.

And then Cale Makar missed practice due to an illness. 

Today, the NHL and NHLPA agreed that Harley would be permitted to join Canada in Montreal. If Makar is healthy enough to play, Travis Sanheim will fill Shea Theodore’s spot. Harley cannot participate in anything on the ice until Makar is officially ruled out. If that happens, Harley can slot in against Team USA on Saturday night.

Thomas Harley is 23 and in his second full NHL season. He was born in Syracuse, New York, but is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. He has nine goals and 29 points in 53 games this season. Harley has seen an uptick in ice time since Miro Heiskanen’s injury. Harley is quarterbacking the top power play unit in Heiskanen’s absence; it has gone 3 for 8.