Team Canada: 2026 Roster

[pseudoreality]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

I believe it's not an IIHF thing, it is a Hockey Canada thing

All 22 players on the 2018 WJC team were suspended by Hockey Canada. Presumably those not involved will be reinstated, but that has not happened yet, as far as I know

I must have missed that, but yes, here is an article about it:

https://apnews.com/article/hockey-ca...0d9439312882f3

All players were suspended, but Four Nations doesn't count as it is a NHL run event.

[stemit14]

I could see Doughty as potentially an extra defenceman but not really a lock. Hard to judge from his play at the 4 nations cause he has played so little this year. He definitely looked a step behind through most of the tournament but got better in every game IMO. For him and Stone, I think it will take big first halves of the season next year to make the team.

Don’t think Marchand will be on the roster either. It’s very noticeable how much slower Doughty, Marchand and Stone were compared to everyone else.

I could definitely see Bedard and/or Celebrini making the team next year but the odds will be stacked against them… big showings at the World Championships this year could really help their cause.

Don’t think Wilson makes the team. He could have been a good fit at the four nations under NHL playoff-style rules but I don’t think he fits as well at this point in an Olympic event.

It will be interesting to see how they handle McDavid’s linemates next year. He got the tournament winner but, if he had not, the discussion would likely be more focused on why he struggled to find chemistry with other players. He seemed to only generate chances by himself which limited his effectiveness. They got away with it this year but team Canada likely wants to make sure he has linemates that fit with him… because of that, he might get Hyman a free pass to the Olympic team.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by pseudoreality

I must have missed that, but yes, here is an article about it:

https://apnews.com/article/hockey-ca...0d9439312882f3

All players were suspended, but Four Nations doesn't count as it is a NHL run event.

I missed it as well but it still doesn't make sense to me.

Sure it was an NHL event but the suspension was issued by Hockey Canada.

Hockey Canada was who put this team together for 4 nations.

So they ignore their own ruling because its not IIHF sanctioned?

That is just odd to me.

[Derek Sutton]

Nm

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I missed it as well but it still doesn't make sense to me.

Sure it was an NHL event but the suspension was issued by Hockey Canada.

Hockey Canada was who put this team together for 4 nations.

So they ignore their own ruling because its not IIHF sanctioned?

That is just odd to me.

They didn’t ignore it because it wasn’t IIHF, the NHL stated their eligibility criteria was the only one that mattered. So if the NHL deemed them eligible, the federations couldn’t go against that.

[CliffFletcher]

Marchand, Doughty, Pietrangelo, and maybe Stone will age out.

Harley and Sanheim likely both played themselves onto the team.

Suzuki and Celebrini will push for spots - they both have mature all-around games.

With Bedard’s questionable two-way game, he will have to be scoring at a lights-out pace to make the cut. Speculation about him making the roster will be a huge story for months leading up to the games.

[transplant99]

But Hockey Canada was under no obligation to select him.

So if they have him under suspension by their choice, why would it matter who sanctioned it?

He is/was suspended (I assume) by Hockey Canada for Hockey Canada teams.

Hockey Canada assembled the team.

But they included him because the NHL had different "criteria" than the IIHF?

Just seems really weird to go against their own decision.

Im not advocating he should be suspended and in fact none of the guys not criminally charged should be IMO.

There needs to be some clarity on this moving forward.

[saillias]

I'm glad Harley emerged. He is a lock in my view.

Good forwards are too numerous and up to GM preference. Who is picking the team and who is coaching. You could argue Matt Duchene would've been more useful than Brad Marchand for example. If more Oiler guys are lurking around the selection group, then expect to see Hyman Bouchard Skinner in the mix of course.

[Lewis_D]

Thanks for the breakdown houser, this was on my mind before puck drop before the final. My biggest concern was goaltending but after yesterday I'm fine with Binner as long as we can find a way for the Olympic final being played in Boston Garden!

Hopefully the goaltending setup is better overall next year in general (I'd probably just change it to Binnington/Thompson/Hill). Other than that I can't see the roster changing drastically, I'd definitely include Scheifele though. As far as young guys go maybe you have a look at Bedard, Celebrini, Brandt Clarke, Guenther, Suzuki - but even at that they'd probably be an extra player given the age of the Four Nations squad and the fact the Olympics are not that far away.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Huberdeau deserves a spot.

Jk, but Weegar actually does.

[Paulie Walnuts]

US goaltending has some competition but Wolf at worst is the 3rd goalie.

Weegar should be on the team.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by transplant99

But Hockey Canada was under no obligation to select him.

So if they have him under suspension by their choice, why would it matter who sanctioned it?

He is/was suspended (I assume) by Hockey Canada for Hockey Canada teams.

Hockey Canada assembled the team.

But they included him because the NHL had different "criteria" than the IIHF?

Just seems really weird to go against their own decision.

Im not advocating he should be suspended and in fact none of the guys not criminally charged should be IMO.

There needs to be some clarity on this moving forward.

The suspension applies to any Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities. While they participated in the 4 Nations, it was an NHL tournament, not one sanctioned by Hockey Canada (the Olympics and World Cup are, as Hockey Canada is a member of the IIHF). Therefore, their eligibility criteria was irrelevant, only the NHL’s applied.

They can’t suspend Makar from an NHL-sanctioned tournament. They could have just not chosen him, but with no valid suspension in place and being the best defenceman in the world, it would have been absurd.

[browna]

It's fine. Makar needs to do some Calgary house shopping anyway.

I think a different mix in the Olympics for sure, as it's a totally different event.

More depth, more players based on some roles and probably a bit more based on chemistry rather than the (now annoying term Sportsnet pounded into the lexicon to try and push their TV event up the historical significance ladder) "best on best" tournament and subsequent selection.

It's twice as many games, a trip across the Atlantic, Olympic village, drug testing etc etc and besides the 3 preliminary round games, 3 knockout games if they get to the Gold medal game.

[Beninho]

I’d like to see Bedard or Celebrini push for a spot. I’d probably take out Cirelli and Jarvis as well. Marchand looked a bit behind the play but he is a big leader on the team, will have to see how he and Stone look over the next year. Some younger guys have to push and take a spot tho.

I liked Harley, Sanheim not as much. I still think Weegar is a much better player than Sanheim

[dino7c]

Makar will be there

[Mathgod]

In my opinion, guys like Crosby, Marchand, and Doughty are too far past their primes to be good choices for the Olympic team. Yes you need veteran leadership in the locker room, but when the team has a bunch of legacy picks on it, you end up like 2006.

Give me guys like Scheifele, Bedard, Weegar. And maybe Celebrini depending on how he develops between now and then.

You need speed and skill to win these tournaments. Old slow players get left in the dust in best on best tourneys.

[GirlySports]

Pietrangelo is still there and leads the defense next year. He was a lock and assistant captain until hurt.

[Calgary]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

In my opinion, guys like Crosby, Marchand, and Doughty are too far past their primes to be good choices for the Olympic team. Yes you need veteran leadership in the locker room, but when the team has a bunch of legacy picks on it, you end up like 2006.

Give me guys like Scheifele, Bedard, Weegar. And maybe Celebrini depending on how he develops between now and then.

You need speed and skill to win these tournaments. Old slow players get left in the dust in best on best tourneys.

Marchand & Doughty might get left in the dust. Sid is still a 100% pick. Wake up.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

In my opinion, guys like Crosby, Marchand, and Doughty are too far past their primes to be good choices for the Olympic team. Yes you need veteran leadership in the locker room, but when the team has a bunch of legacy picks on it, you end up like 2006.

Give me guys like Scheifele, Bedard, Weegar. And maybe Celebrini depending on how he develops between now and then.

You need speed and skill to win these tournaments. Old slow players get left in the dust in best on best tourneys.

Bedard in over Crosby? (Never mind the several bubble players that could have been left off this year)… 1 year from now?


What the hell kind of sorcery do you think happens between now and then

[Andrew]

I think it depends who is hot next year? Lots of good players lots will slump