Ranking the 6 Players to Potentially Replace Brayden Point on Team Canada for the Olympics

The Tampa Bay Lightning seemingly caught a break regarding a lower-body injury to star forward Brayden Point this week. Even though he is going to miss some time, they should get him back over the next few weeks. That is good news for their playoff chances, as Point is one of their best players and a key part of their lineup.

But while the Lightning expect to eventually get him back, his current injury could impact his spot on Team Canada's Olympic roster.

Point was one of the six original players named to the roster, and Lightning head coach Jon Cooper -- who is also the head coach for Canada -- said this week they are just hoping for the best regarding his availability for the tournament.

Even though he is having a down year offensively (by his standards), he is still expected to play a prominent role for Team Canada, perhaps in the top six.

As of Wednesday Point has 11 goals, 19 assists and 30 total points in 37 games.

If he can not go, Canada will have to dip into its reserve list. We do not know who specifically is on that list, but we do have some ideas and can certainly have some opinions on it.

So, with that said, let's take a look at some potential replacements for Point should Canada need to turn to them before next month's tournament.

6. Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets

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From a purely offensive standpoint, Scheifele has the type of production that would make him a strong candidate for Team Canada, and he is believed to be on their standby list.

Entering play on Wednesday, he has 22 goals, 30 assists, and 52 points in 44 games.

But despite his strong offensive performance, he has missed the cut for both the 4 Nations roster and now this Olympic roster. One would think that if Canada valued that production -- which is consistently near the top among Canadian-born players -- he would have been added to the roster for at least one of them.

Playing in his age-32 season (and turning 33 in March), he is older than every player on our ranking and may not have the same level of all-around play as the others. Both factors could work against him.

He would certainly be in the mix, but there might be some players that Canada prefers ahead of him.

5. Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers

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Canada, like the United States, in these best-on-best tournaments, likes to take players who have represented them in previous tournaments. Especially if they show a willingness to take on smaller roles than they are accustomed to with their NHL teams.

With 14 goals and 24 assists in 43 games, Konecny is having a strong offensive season for the Flyers, but does not have the same upside as some other potential replacement options. That might knock him down a spot or two on the standby list, especially if Canada is looking for somebody to slide into a top-six role.

He does, however, have an ability to take on lesser roles and play up and down the lineup in a variety of spots. He could easily play whatever role Canada wanted or needed him to play.

He might not be the first choice, but his 4 Nations experience could put him on the map if a roster spot opens.

4. Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes

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Jarvis is a rising star in Carolina, and at age 23 has already produced back-to-back 30-goal seasons and is currently having the best goal-scoring season of his career.

With 21 goals in 38 games, he is scoring at a 45-goal pace over 82 games.

Along with the goal production, he is also an outstanding two-way player who has earned serious Selke Trophy votes over the past two years. That complete, 200-foot game and overall production would make him a great fit on this roster and a rock-solid replacement for Point if needed.

The only thing that might hold him back is that while he has played some center, he has primarily played on the wing. Point's ability to do both is a big part of what made him one of the first six players to be named to the roster.

3. Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers

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It was honestly a bit of a surprise that Bennett was not on Canada's original roster.

For one, he has a recent track record of clutch play in big games. He has been a key part of the Florida Panthers' back-to-back-back Stanley Cup Final runs, and actually won the Conn Smythe Trophy during their most recent championship.

He was also a member of Canada's 4 Nations Face-off team that won the tournament a year ago.

That sort of big-game play, as well as his relentless physical play, seemed to make him a favorite to be selected.

Canada already has Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson on the roster, and he certainly brings a lot of the chaotic physicality that Bennett does. The same is true for Bennett's Florida teammate, Brad Marchand.

Perhaps Canada felt the inclusion of Wilson made a player like Bennett overkill in a tournament like this. Whatever the case, they did not take him on the original roster.

A Point injury could offer them a chance to get him on the team anyway. Given the presence of the Tkachuk brothers on Team USA, as well as their desire to turn games into more of a rock fight, combined with the smaller rink that could create an even more physical game, Bennett could be an option here.

2. Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks

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Canada already has one of its best young stars on the roster with the inclusion of San Jose Sharks forward (and mid-season MVP candidate) Macklin Celebrini.

There was also a question of whether Bedard would make the roster alongside him.

Initially, the answer to that question was no.

Could a Point injury open the door for him to get back into the mix?

Historically, Canada has tended to overlook players this young and has previously left off teenage superstars Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos from Olympic teams in 2006 and 2010 in favor of more established players.

Celebrini's all-around game was too good for them to ignore.

Would Canada pass over Bedard a second time if a roster spot opened up?

It is believed he is on Canada's standby list, and there might not be a potential player on it that has more offensive upside than him.

He already has 19 goals, 27 assists and 46 total points in his first 33 games.

1. Wyatt Johnston, Dallas Stars

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Johnston might be the best possible replacement for Point if one is needed due to his positional flexibility (he can play center or wing), the fact that he is also a right-shot, and is also one of the best players in the league. Johnston had a strong case to be on the original roster and is having the type of season that would certainly have warranted a roster spot.

Entering play on Wednesday, he has already scored 25 goals with 51 total points in 46 games and is on pace to set career highs in both categories.

He is also leading the league in power play goals.

If Canada were planning on using Point as a winger on the top line, as he was used at times during the 4 Nations Face-off, Johnston would be a viable candidate to slide into that spot.

If they were planning on using Point as a depth center, Johnston has the ability to slide into that role as well.

There is no role he can't play, and when combined with his production, that versatility makes him a perfect candidate to replace.