It's the start of December, meaning that every national team has to finalize its roster by the end of the month for the Winter Olympics in February. For the New Jersey Devils, fans are waiting to see if Jack Hughes will make the Team USA roster once he recovers from surgery on a torn ligament in his thumb, but that's currently uncertain. Jesper Bratt and Jacob Markstrom are looking to make Team Sweden. Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Jonas Siegenthaler were named to Switzerland's preliminary roster.
The Olympic field will feature a slew of current and former Devils players. One former player is currently on the best team in hockey, the Colorado Avalanche. Not only is he impressing the entire league with his numbers in the crease, but he's also making a case to make Team Canada. That player is Scott Wedgewood, and he's got the attention of a Devils legend.
During an interview with NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger, Devils legendary goaltender Martin Brodeur talked about Wedgewood's success this season with the Avalanche. Brodeur praised Wedgewood and said he has a legitimate shot at making Team Canada.
Martin Brodeur says Scott Wedgewood earned shot at making Team Canada for Winter Olympics
“Like I said, he deserves it. He’s a student of the game. I know that he still talks to our former goalie coach, Jacques Caron, about once a month, about goaltending. About anything, actually. He’s a kid that still wants to get better now, just like he always has. He did everything in his power to make that happen and now it’s happening for him. I’m excited for him every time I watch him play," said Brodeur.
It truly is incredible how Wedgewood turned things around in his career. He showed promise at points during his two tenures with the team, but didn't really factor in as the long-term starter. In his Devils tenure, Wedgewood recorded a .908 save percentage, a 2.77 goals allowed average, and a 5-11-5 record in 23 games.
Brodeur actually said in the interview with NHL.com that he and Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald joke about putting Wedgewood on waivers. Based on his numbers this season, it's hard to argue with that.
A trade deadline acquisition last season, Wedgewood received the starting nod for the Avalanche this season because Mackenzie Blackwood was sidelined due to an injury. Wedgewood made the most of this opportunity, as he recorded a .920 save percentage, a 2.08 goals allowed average, and 13 wins (most in the NHL). Due to this play, Wedgewood was recently added to Canada's list of possible players.
Canada is in a bit of a dilemma when it comes to their goaltending situation. Jordan Binnington, who played a massive role in Canada winning the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year, is struggling on the St. Louis Blues. Through 17 games, Binnington owns a .887 save percentage, a 3.11 goals allowed average, and a 6-5-5 record. Sam Montembeault is struggling as well with the Montreal Canadiens, owning a .864 save percentage, a 3.49 goals allowed average, and a 5-5-1 record. Then, there's Adin Hill, currently sidelined with an injury.
Given how well Wedgewood has played, he could very well earn a spot on the final roster and, potentially, earn a start. Team Canada will make their roster announcements at the end of the month, and they have some tough choices to make, not only in net.