Said Kuemper: “I think when you use the names that you were saying (Roy, Brodeur, Luongo, Price), those are Hall of Famers, so maybe that’s where it all stems from. But we’re really confident with the three of us, our union. We know what we’re all capable of. We’re just looking forward to getting started here.”

Their confidence, and disbelief in the narrative, is understandable.

All three goalies are Stanley Cup champions, Binnington as a starter with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, Kuemper as a starter with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, and Thompson as a backup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023.

Binnington arguably was the biggest reason why Canada won the 4 Nations Face-Off last year, when Canadian goaltending also was very much in question, if not in doubt.

His performance in the final, making 31 saves, six in overtime, to defeat Team USA 3-2, correctly is lauded as one of Canada’s best goaltending performances in a best-on-best competition.

“I think that’s what keeps me going in some aspects, is proving myself and seeing what I’m capable of and seeing where I can take it,” Binnington said. “That’s something I’ve used as motivation. That’s just part of sports, is people are going to doubt you, and it’s how you handle it. For me, it’s just staying in my own process and building my game and trying to get better every day, every year, and seeing where it takes me.”

But it hasn’t taken Binnington very far this season with the Blues. It has been a struggle to say the least.

His eight wins, 3.65 goals-against average and .864 save percentage all are last among the 12 Canada-born goalies who have played in at least 20 games.

Those numbers are part of the reason why the negative narrative around Canada’s goaltending exists. But Binnington said it’s easy for him to compartmentalize what is happening in the NHL with what could happen in the Olympics if he is given a chance.

“This is a completely different environment,” Binnington said. “It’s been in the back of our minds or in our minds for the last 6-8 months-plus. The moment is here, and it’s about just letting go, playing free and playing your style.”

Thompson and Kuemper have better numbers than Binnington this season, but they weren’t part of the 4 Nations experience last year. Canada’s other two goalies in the tournament were Adin Hill and Samuel Montembeault.

So while Cooper hasn’t confirmed it, it’s reasonable to think Binnington has a good shot at getting first crack when Canada opens the tournament against Czechia at Santagiulia Arena on Thursday (10:40 a.m. ET; Peacock, USA, CBC Gem, CBC).

“Anyone in this tournament obviously belongs to be here,” Binnington said. “There’s always something to talk about out there. I think for us it’s just sticking together and whoever’s in there is just supporting and pushing each other. It’s been fun so far. We’re just working at it day to day, and we’ll see how it all plays out.”

Cooper and Canada’s goalies have a feeling they know how it will play out.

“Excited to go out there and prove everyone wrong,” Thompson said.