Shea Theodore had the chance of a lifetime to represent Canada in last season's 4 Nations Face-Off. He would join the likes of Mitch Marner and Connor McDavid and fight for global supremacy. Well, at least that was supposed to be the case for the Original Misfit.
He suffered a debilitating wrist injury that sidelined him. Suddenly, the Golden Knights didn't have a good puck-moving defenseman, leaving them to struggle in the offensive zone. Moreover, they had a rougher time entering said zone, leaving their opponents to skate circles around them at times.
But a funny thing happened this season. Theodore got the call to represent Team Canada in the 2026 Winter Olympics. That's with good reason, too: the defenseman has seven goals and 19 assists this season and is projected to hit 10 goals and 28 assists in 66 games. While his assist total is drastically down from his career-high of 50 last season, the Golden Knights star has done more with scoring goals.
So here's how the Olympian can help Team Canada this year. He's more than a guy who sets up his teammates for solid goals, you know. Theodore brings much more to the table and Team Canada will see what he's capable of in Milan.
What Shea Theodore can do for Team Canada during the 2026 Winter Olympics
Everyone knows that Theodore's one of the most underrated puck-moving defensemen in the NHL. He does a terrific job at finding holes in the defense and pouncing on his opponent's mistakes. But that's not all that he does for the attack.
Theodore also excels at creating rebounds, which primarily comes from his penchant for shooting. The stats show how he thrives in this regard, leaving teammates in or near the slot to pounce (stats courtesy of MoneyPuck, entering Wednesday).
Player | Rebounds Createad | xRebounds Created | Rebounds Created Above Expected | Created xGoals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Shea Theodore | 9 | 5.7 | 3.3 | 5.9 |
His offensive creativity stems from finding weak spots on opposing goaltenders and abusing them. In turn, his teammates can jump when the opposing goalie's out of position, turning rebounds into goals. It's part of a dynamic recipe that has made Theodore one of the most underappreciated offensive minds in the NHL.
But that's not all. The Original Misfit has also improved on the defensive end, using a combination of stellar skating and a solid stick to wreak havoc on his opponents. When he's paired with Jeremy Lauzon or Brayden McNabb, that's where he does the most damage.
Having one guy on the back end ensures that the goaltender is protected at all times. When Theodore and his pair mate (specifically McNabb and Lauzon) are on the ice, that's where he secretly excels.
All of this culminates in the ultimate opportunity for the British Columbia native to have a "golden" (no pun intended) Olympics run. Certainly, he wants to forget about the unfortunate events that transpired during last season's 4 Nations Faceoff. Why not do that with a strong showing in Milan?