2026 Olympic men's ice hockey rosters

[Lewis_D]

I would have gone with Bennett over Cirelli.

Schaeffer and Bedard are somewhat understandable omissions, but they had to bring Celebrini.

[Reggie Dunlop]

I would've included Kirkland in case there's any shootouts...

[browna]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

https://twitter.com/user/status/2006430281885167979

Just an air of Francis digging around looking for some sort of slight so he could stir up some stuff and run on TV tonight and get some national eyes and ears on him.

Kadri was never in the conversation at all, so why ask him? That said I would say Kadri has a better chance of Weeger. Didn’t think the long shot local media campaign for getting Weeger on the 4 Nations at the beginning of last season still had any legs.

[browna]

Originally Posted by CgyFlamesftw

To a surprise Quebec has no representatives.

They’ll be a story on CBC News about it sooner than later.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

He's done it enough times that it doesnt matter

Internationally? Aside from 4 Nations, when?

Kadri is having a better year and has also won gold internationally. And has a cup ring.

I'd have looked hard at Morgan Geekie, myself.

[nieuwy-89]

I don’t watch enough Eastern Conference teams to know if Horvat, Suzuki, or the Tampa guys deserve to be there over Bennett. In any case there were always going to be good players left off this team, especially at forward.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Calgary Highlander

You don't leave the guy who just won the Conn Smythe at home. Bizarre cut.

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

The bigger thing to me is he was really huge in the 4 Nations.

I don't think they win those games against the US without him.

I have to finish reading the thread but if I'm Bennett? I am dancing with glee!!

"Oh no! I cant represent Team Canada and instead have to cool my heels on a beach for 2 weeks? Especially after 3 deep playoff runs and in anticipation of a 4th?? Oh Noes!!! Howsoever shall I survive?!?!"

Presumably while crushing a margarita.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Internationally? Aside from 4 Nations, when?

Kadri is having a better year and has also won gold internationally. And has a cup ring.

I'd have looked hard at Morgan Geekie, myself.

consistently shows his regular season does not matter one little bit, in big games he elevates above his peers.

did it in calgary. does it in florida. did it at 4 nations. did it in two cup finals.

i think thats a good enough sample.

agreed on Geekie

[gvitaly]

I don't mind Cirelli over an injured Bedard, especially if there are questions regarding his recovery.

At the same time I think Canada is going to regret not bringing Bennett. He has been great since November.

Points for centers since Nov 1st:
1. McDavid 55
2. MacKinnon 48
3. Celebrini 43
4. Draisaitl 42
5. Johnston 35
6. Bedard 30
7. Suzuki, Stutzle 28
9. Scheifele, Bennett, Carlsson 27
12. Crosby, O'Rielly, Thompson 25
15. Nelson, Aho 24
16. Stamkos, Zibenajad, Hintz, Thomas, Lundell 23
22. Tavares, Kadri, Eriksson Ek, Eichel 22
26. Horvat, Strome, Barzal 21

Not on the list Point with 13 points, Cirelli with 12 points. Johnston is another huge snub IMO.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by nieuwy-89

I don’t watch enough Eastern Conference teams to know if Horvat, Suzuki, or the Tampa guys deserve to be there over Bennett. In any case there were always going to be good players left off this team, especially at forward.

Suzuki was a lock from the start.

[Weitz]

I think the D will be the problem if there is indeed a problem. They weren’t all that great in the 4 nations.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by Locke

I have to finish reading the thread but if I'm Bennett? I am dancing with glee!!

"Oh no! I cant represent Team Canada and instead have to cool my heels on a beach for 2 weeks? Especially after 3 deep playoff runs and in anticipation of a 4th?? Oh Noes!!! Howsoever shall I survive?!?!"

Presumably while crushing a margarita.

I doubt it. This is the Olympics and he’s probably not getting another chance.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

I don't mind Cirelli over an injured Bedard, especially if there are questions regarding his recovery.

At the same time I think Canada is going to regret not bringing Bennett. He has been great since November.

Points for centers since Nov 1st:
1. McDavid 55
2. MacKinnon 48
3. Celebrini 43
4. Draisaitl 42
5. Johnston 35
6. Bedard 30
7. Suzuki, Stutzle 28
9. Scheifele, Bennett, Carlsson 27
12. Crosby, O'Rielly, Thompson 25
15. Nelson, Aho 24
16. Stamkos, Zibenajad, Hintz, Thomas, Lundell 23
22. Tavares, Kadri, Eriksson Ek, Eichel 22
26. Horvat, Strome, Barzal 21

Not on the list Point with 13 points, Cirelli with 12 points. Johnston is another huge snub IMO.

TBF there are 5 Canadian centres above him on that list, plus one tied, and you aren't leaving Crosby off.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Locke

I have to finish reading the thread but if I'm Bennett? I am dancing with glee!!

"Oh no! I cant represent Team Canada and instead have to cool my heels on a beach for 2 weeks? Especially after 3 deep playoff runs and in anticipation of a 4th?? Oh Noes!!! Howsoever shall I survive?!?!"

Presumably while crushing a margarita.

ONE chance in my life to go to the Olympics. Or sip margaritas on the beach (something I can do for the rest of my life)?

Yeah, hard to say which he'd prefer.

[MRCboicgy]

Originally Posted by browna

Zaumner was tied for second in team goal scoring and had more goals than Gretzky that tournament.

People were clamouring for the Oilers reunion tour with Messier instead but I really don’t think Messier at that stage of his career would’ve done anything on whatever line he was on (3rd or 4th) offensively, which is where Canada suffered that tournament.

Corson was probably the more useless pick than Zaumner given the ice size.

But again, Canada’s success wasn’t tied to the 10-12th forwards, they needed more from Sakic Fleury and Rechhi, and it of course came down to a semi final shootout anyways.

Ron Francis over any of the above, still annoys me to this day. But would Booby Clarke take a Penguin over a Flyer? Ha.

[FlamesAreOne]

https://twitter.com/user/status/2006438818384421242

[VilleN]

I'm shocked Bennet isn't on there. His game is tailor made for these types of tournaments... The guy is an above average player during the reg. season, but come playoffs he's a beast... these are the types of games Bennet gets up for, and in a short tournament I think he's a valuable guy in terms of creating a culture in a hurry.

I would've chosen him over Wilson, and Bedard over Cirelli.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by YyjFlames

I doubt it. This is the Olympics and he’s probably not getting another chance.

Yeah, no doubt about it Sam Bennett would want to play in the Olympics. It's a rare opportunity. The NHL hasn't been at the Winter Olympics since 2014 and this was probably Sam's one and only opportunity to be on the team.

[trackercowe]

For anyone questioning the selection of Tom Wilson, I hope you're watching the Rangers game. He is dominating. Big hit, goal, then a fight all in the same shift. What a beast.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

TBF there are 5 Canadian centres above him on that list, plus one tied, and you aren't leaving Crosby off.

I think that's when you start considering intangibles as well. I would take Bennett over Suzuki, Cirelli, and Horvat. This year I might even take him ahead of Point, though Point is pretty much back to his old self now that he's back from his injury.