Does Tom Wilson deserve a spot on Canada’s Olympic team?

Hockey Canada has a set of difficult decisions to make as the deadline for finalizing their roster for the Olympic Games in February in Italy approaches.

The brass will balance bringing back the same squad that won the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year with the need for improvements along with whoever most warrants inclusion with the increase in roster spots in the Olympic format.

Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson has spent the start of the year making quite a case for himself. A physical and intimidating presence, Wilson has upped his offensive production. He has racked up 29 points in 26 games played, and if he can keep up this pace or close to it, it would be the first season of his career in which he’s produced at a point-per-game rate or better.

On Monday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, host Tyler Yaremchuk and co-host and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discussed whether or not there’s a spot for Wilson on the Canadian roster come February.

Tyler Yaremchuk: I guess the big debate for me with Tom Wilson is just, 29 points 26 games, unbelievable production. He is also still second in the league in penalty minutes… So do you view the gap, if Wilson is at *this level*, and Brandon Hagel’s *here* [gestures slightly lower]… Is it worth the liability that he comes with?

Carter Hutton: That is the risk that you take on… Tom Wilson I think has redefined his game, and in this role I do like it. There’s physicality, but it’s going to go both ways, right? He can offset players. He’s been dealing with this stuff for a lot of years now. Guys are on him. They’re trying to get him off his game; he knows how to play. It’s going to be a great debate, and the fact that they have so many players to pick from, I do not envy the general managers of these teams.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode below…