Whatever lingering doubt hockey fans might have over whether NHL players will actually be given the opportunity to participate in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, it has not stopped rampant speculation over who will be contending for gold in February. 

Trying to figure out who might be chosen for the best teams, like Canada and the United States, has been an active past-time for several years now (and a convenient time-waster on trade deadline and free agency broadcasts), and as the event gets closer and closer we're going to see plenty more of it. 

Of of the more interesting parts of that process is sorting out how to weigh the results of the 2021-22 season so far. Despite the fact that most players have played fewer than 20 games, their early-season performances will undoubtedly affect our perception of them as worthy or unworthy of wearing the national colours.