Projecting the Flames’ 2022 Olympics Participants

The 2022 Beijing Olympics, much like the current NHL season, has many questions surrounding it. Hockey fans all over the world would love nothing more than to see NHL players back in the Olympics after not playing in 2018. Many current players have been vocal on this as well, making it very clear they want to participate.

Unfortunately, it is not a guarantee the NHL players will be participating, although a final decision on that has yet to be made. If they are able to attend, here are players from the Calgary Flames’ roster that would have a chance to compete for their respective countries.

The Guarantees

Johnny Gaudreau – USA

Johnny Gaudreau will be a lock for Team USA if the NHL does end up attending. Though he has not played in the Olympics at this point in his career, the 28-year-old has played in many international events, including the 2013 IIHF World Juniors, the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, and three separate World Championships.

After two so-so seasons by his standards, Gaudreau has picked things up in a big way in 2021-22. In 28 games so far he has scored 10 goals and a team leading 30 points. If the NHL does indeed send its players to Beijing, he will be a huge part of Team USA.

Matthew Tkachuk – USA

Much like Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk will without a doubt be included on this team. The 24-year-old, while not as offensively talented as Gaudreau, impacts the game in so many different aspects which should have USA hockey fans very excited. His last time playing on the international stage came during the 2016 IIHF World Juniors, where he put on a show, scoring four goals and seven assists in seven games to help Team USA win a bronze medal.

After a down 2020-21 season, Tkachuk looks rejuvenated in 2021-22 playing with fans in the buildings. He has 12 goals and 23 points on the season, and is continuing to do a great job of agitating opponents top players. There is an argument to be made that he would be Team USA’s most well-rounded forward.

Elias Lindholm – Sweden

While Elias Lindholm doesn’t seem to get as much recognition as the two players listed above, he is just as important to the Flames. The former fifth-overall pick really arrived at the NHL level after a trade to Calgary prior to the 2018-19 season. He shattered his previous career highs of 17 goals and 45 points in his first season with the Flames, posting 27 goals and 78 points.

Lindholm has never played in the Olympics, but has represented Team Sweden in many different international tournaments over the years. That will change if the NHL does attend this winter, as he is having another great season with 27 points in 28 games played. As of right now he is one of the NHL’s most underrated forwards.

Jacob Markstrom – Sweden

Perhaps the biggest guarantee of the four players listed in this category is Jacob Markstrom. The Flames netminder, who was already a lock beforehand, is having the best season of his career in 2021-22. Through 21 games he owns an incredible 1.94 goals against average (GAA) along with a .933 save percentage (SV%) and a league leading five shutouts.

Markstrom will be the undoubted starting netminder for Team Sweden, and will have less competition for that role given that Robin Lehner recently announced he will not be attending. It will be the 31-year-olds first time playing in the Olympics, and one that he will surely be excited to prove his true worth in. Given how well he has played this season, he gives Team Sweden a legitimate chance to compete for a Gold Medal.

The Maybes

Andrew Mangiapane – Canada

The fact that Andrew Mangiapane is even being considered in the discussion for Team Canada shows just how much he has improved over the past year. The 25-year-old recently confirmed he was on the teams long list for the 2022 Olympics, and for good reason given the fact he has been a goal scoring machine this season with 17 goals in 28 games.

It would certainly be exciting for Flames fans as well as fans all around the league if the players do end up attending, but at this point we will have to wait and see.