UPDATE: Canada officially recalls “standby” defenseman to replace Shea Theodore

UPDATE: According to a report from NHL insider Chris Johnston, Team Canada has recalled Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley to potentially replace injured defenseman Shea Theodore for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Harley is traveling to Boston and will join the team if allowed by the NHL. It's unclear just yet what the rules are for adding players to their roster.

From Johnson:

Each team was limited to a 23-man roster that didn’t leave much room for injury, with only one extra forward, defenseman and goaltender apiece. The federations pushed for the ability to bring more players to 4 Nations before December’s roster deadline — they’ll each be permitted to bring 22 skaters and three goaltenders to the 2026 Milan Olympics — but that effort was thwarted because of the added costs and the negative feedback the NHLPA received from members who weren’t anxious to give up their breaks to potentially be a healthy scratch at the tournament.

Everyone was aware of the potential hazards associated with limited rosters, and in late January, the NHL circulated a memo to each country’s management staff informing them that emergency in-tournament roster additions would be permitted in a circumstance where a team fell below either 18 healthy skaters or two healthy goaltenders.

Hockey Canada sought clarity from the NHL and NHLPA on what exactly was permitted in the wake of Theodore’s injury, ultimately learning they could have a player travel to the Boston area to remain at the ready in case of emergency before Monday afternoon’s game against Finland at TD Garden or potentially the championship game beyond it.

“We have told them they can identify and notify a player that he would be ‘next up,'” deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Athletic on Thursday. “But they know they have to play with the six they have left until they drop below that. Can’t add anyone to the team or have him participate in any team activities until that happens.”

That means the reserve player won’t be allowed to participate in meetings or formal skates unless another defenseman goes down to injury.

- Chris Johnston

So... Harley has to just chill in Boston on his own in case someone else gets injured? That kind of defeats the purpose of the NHLPA who maintained they didn't want their players "to give up their breaks to potentially be a healthy scratch at the tournament." 

So now Harley is not only going to give up his break, but he's also not even a member of the team. Great job, NHLPA.

For our earlier report on Theodore's injury, read below.

In case you missed it last night, Canada managed to squeak out a 4-3 OT victory over Sweden in a very entertaining opening game of the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Canadian captain Sidney Crosby managed to post 3 points in the game, earning himself 1st Star status. It was an energetic, high flyin game with plenty of scoring chances right from the opening puck drop. In other words: Best on best hockey is back! It's been a literal generation since we've witnessed best on best competition in this sport and fans were loving it last night.

It wasn't all good news for Canada and its fans last night though, Canadian defenseman Shea Theodore left the game in the 1st period with an apparent hand or wrist injury.

Here's how the injury occurred:

Theodore did not return to action and after the game head coach Jon Cooper told reporters that Theodore is done for the tournament.

Incidentally, Canada will have to go with six defenders for the rest of the tournament as they are not allowed to call in any reinforcements. Unless the team gets down to five defenders, they cannot make any emergency additions.