Team Canada is starting to get replacements to fill the spot for their No. 27 defenseman. With Shea Thoedore’s rule-out coming in as the biggest concern now, the team has reached out to the NHL to get any sort of clarity on the replacement process for their injured defenseman. Meanwhile, the team has been instructed to find probable replacements for him to add to the 4 Nations Face-Off lineup.

According to the report, any probable player that the team has kept in suggestion cannot join at first. He has to be available in case the team ends up with any more injuries coming in. The team, for now, has to continue forward with its six remaining defensemen in the lineup.

Team Canada has to wait for another injury to happen in order to add the seventh defenseman. But the team has come prepared. Heading into the NHL-hosted tournament, Team Canada already had some probable list of players in backhand if they ended up in situations like this. With Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty already in the lineup, the team has considered Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard, who can be brought to light if needed.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim is coming in as the first name, which Team Canada can opt for at the start. If joined, it will be Sanheim’s debut with the team. Coming in as prepared, fans have also made their share of suggestions for the team’s seventh defenseman.

Fans have given some replacement suggestions

Team Canada has their backup plan ready. The fans have also come out while actively participating in making their suggestions, giving out a probable list of players that can be a good fit to replace the team’s injured defenseman, Shea Theodore. Not all, but some of the names recommended by fans have been discussed below.

The team is already considering Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard. A fan comments, “Evan Bouchard incoming!” Not only the team but fans also think there is a chance for Bouchard to join the lineup if there is another injury in the blue line.

After Bouchard, the second suggestion came for Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson. The fan comment read, “LANE HUTSON IS CANADIAN NOW.” The Michigan native player is coming as a probable prospect by the fans for the team’s defensive lineup for the 4 Nations tournament.

Evan Bouchard and Chris Tanev are both the backup candidates that the Canadian team has considered. For a fan, the selection of Tanev comes into a highlight, as they wrote, “Tanev has to be the next guy to get called, I assume.” In the current season, the Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman is currently carrying a scorecard of 14 points, including 1 goal and 13 assists made in 54 games as of now.

Another Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman selected by a fan is Simon Benoit. The fan wrote, “Simon Benoit down in Cancun.” The Canadian-born is coming off this season with only 4 points scored in over 51 games played. His addition to the team, as suggested by the fan, can bring value to the team, which comes as a doubt while seeing his performance this season.

Not just one, but many have given their suggestion for the Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot. “It’s going to be Chabot, “Thomas chabot.. let’s go.” Another comment read, “I feel like Chabot could be a darkhorse as well.” A favorite in the comment, the player in the current season has given 27 points in over 55 games played, which includes 4 goals and 23 assists.

A fan, however, comes to state the similarity between the injured Shea Theodore and Calgary Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar. The player with promising stats this season is coming out a better fit to replace Theodore than Travis Sanheim. “Must add Weegar – very similar to Theodore imo and should’ve been on the team in the first place.”

It is, however, too early to come to any conclusion as to who can be the best choice. Team Canada has its own selective list, and with fans with their own suggestions, we all have to wait for that moment to come. For now, the team has one win in hand, but the future remains unpredictable.