Welcome to another edition of Olympics and NHL Rumours with us here at Last Word On Hockey. Today we continue our look at the ultra-competitive Team Canada roster. Now, officially less than a month away from the selection of the roster, rumours of who will make it will ramp up. So, let’s check out who we have to discuss today for Team Canada at 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Olympics and NHL Rumours the Final Spots for Team Canada
Rumour: Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas from Monday’s edition of 32 Thoughts the Podcast gave us a list of who is battling it out for the final few spots. They think there is only two spots up for grabs.
Analysis: Even if Canadian hockey fans don’t want to hear it, but there are only so many spots available. That is regardless of the name on the back of the sweater, some excellent players and fan favourites, won’t make it.
The list of players that they rattled off include Bo Horvat, Mark Scheifele, Nick Suzuki, Wyatt Johnston, and of course, the two young stars, Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini. Also, we have heard recently that Tom Wilson was gaining some traction. Just so we know what we are dealing with competition-wise, a guy tied for the lead league in goals at 20, Morgan Geekie, isn’t even in the conversation. No doubt, the stakes are high.
Many of these guys mentioned, it seems hard to believe they wouldn’t be included. Tom Wilson might get there based on his merits, physicality, and veteran presence. He won the 2018 Stanley Cup, a trait Team Canada management loves. In addition, in terms of recent highlights, as the Podcasters point out, he had two goals in yesterday’s contest. He is having a career year in terms of ice time and points-per-game rate. He very well might make it. Furthermore, after Bedard’s four-point performance yesterday, he is looking more and more like a top candidate. Plus, his success with Canada at the World Junior-level, only boosts his case.
The Olympic Team Canada Forward Group
The other side of this is that there are 14 forwards to be selected. For the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, there were 13 forwards. As the Podcast suggested, that 13th forward was the last selection. Guys like Seth Jarvis, Anthony Cirelli, and Travis Konecny would have fit that role. With all these things being considered, the Podcasters are actually insinuating that 12 of the 14 spots might be spoken for. Therefore, you could do the process backwards to figure out who those 12 are. We will add, Mark Stone has just returned to action. So, we think he would be among the 12, despite his injury history.
There are some guys that seem like they will make it. Sam Bennett and Brandon Hagel have connections and play the Canadian-style of hockey. So, we aren’t sure exactly who the top 12 are. Perhaps Mathew Barzal is in the conversation, despite having a bit of a down year. However, it seems at least two of the three of Jarvis, Cirelli, and Konecny are going to make it. We will add, outside of the top seven or eight, we don’t really see any locks. Maybe John Tavares is still in the final conversation, as he has 28 points in 25 games. Those points are 25th in league scoring.
They also mention a couple defence that are on the list that could make it. Those names include Matthew Schaefer and Jakob Chychrun. However, as Elliotte and Kyle alluded, the 4 Nations defence did seem pretty set. Colton Parayko and Thomas Harley are likely going to have a spot on the roster. Thus, there’s only so many spots among the defence. We don’t necessarily think Chychrun will make it, but he is at least in the conversation
Main Photo Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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