Report: Thompson Left Off Team Canada's Roster For 4 Nations Because Of Assistants Cassidy & DeBoer

The Capitals netminder has the second-best save percentage in the NHL.

The Washington Capitals, who lead the Eastern Conference, were surprised to see that none of their players were selected for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, but perhaps the biggest snub was Vezina candidate Logan Thompson. However, there's new insight into why he was left off the roster.

Thompson, who had a red-hot start to the season along with the likes of Dylan Strome, Tom Wilson and several other Capitals, was left off Team Canada's final roster despite having a higher save percentage than Adin Hill, Samuel Montembeault and Jordan Binnington.

While it came as a surprise to some, ex-NHL netminder and analyst Steve Valiquette implied on the Real Kyper & Bourne show on Sportsnet on Wednesday that Bruce Cassidy and Pete DeBoer, who will be assistant coaches for Team Canada at 4 Nations and worked with Thompson during their respective tenures with the Vegas Golden Knights, are the reason the goalie was left off the roster.

"I don't think Cassidy and DeBoer were going to have it," Valiquette said, adding, "I think it was (personalities at the top). They didn't have a great experience with him in Vegas."

Valiquette hinted that there was conflict between Thompson and the Golden Knights, too, which possibly played a role in him being held off the roster.

"There were times they wanted him to play and he wasn't available. I know a little bit about what happened there, and I can't get into it," Valiquette added. "It was never going to happen."

Thompson had requested a trade from Vegas after the 2023-24 season, wanting more opportunity elsewhere. He was traded to Washington at the 2024 NHL Draft and has since said there are no hard feelings regarding the end of his tenure with Vegas.

The 27-year-old has since been a staple between the pipes for D.C., going 24-2-4 3 with a .923 save percentage, the second-best in the league behind only Connor Hellebuyck and best among Canadian-born netminders. His play earned him a six-year contract extension.

Thompson was never contacted by Team Canada regarding 4 Nations.