OT: 2026 Olympics

[Mr. Canucklehead]

Countries are going to be announcing their first six players for preliminary rosters for the 2026 Olympics tomorrow. Latvia has announced theirs, with Arturs Silovs and Teddy Blueger both being among the first to be named, along with former Canuck prospect Rodrigo Abols.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

My guesses for Canada and USA -

Canada:
Connor McDavid
Sidney Crosby
Nathan MacKinnon
Cale Makar
Shea Theodore
Jordan Binnington

USA:
Austin Matthews
Matthew Tkachuk
Jack Eichel
Quinn Hughes
Charlie McAvoy
Connor Hellebuyck

 

[ziploc]

Go Latvia.

 

[HairyKneel]

No way would I put Binnington on there. He could completely shit his pants next season. Marner should be a lock.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

I went 4 for 6. Point and Reinhart were announced today in addition to 4 of the others I theorized.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

Team France:

 

[vancityluongo]

surprised hronek didn't make the czech six

quinn should absolutely be one of the six for the us, but wouldn't be surprised if they just go mcavoy + werenski instead

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

surprised hronek didn't make the czech six

quinn should absolutely be one of the six for the us, but wouldn't be surprised if they just go mcavoy + werenski instead

I sure would be. Hughes is the best American defender and it's not particularly close, IMO.

I think the biggest surprise to me was Gabriel Landeskog being among the first six named for Sweden. He's only played 7 professional games in the past 3 seasons.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

 

[vancityluongo]

cool - glad to see that for quinn

kinda shocked that recency bias didn't takeover and they skipped over werenski (first team all star) and hart winner hellebuyck.

 

[supercanuck]

I went 4 for 6. Point and Reinhart were announced today in addition to 4 of the others I theorized.

I like that we didn't lock in a goalie yet.

 

[StreetHawk]

Sweden named Landy???? Really?????

 

[Bgav]

Sweden named Landy???? Really?????

He's going to be the captain i would assume

 

[StreetHawk]

He's going to be the captain i would assume

He just returned off nearly 2 years out with a knee or something. He could be on the team but kind fo hard to project how well he plays after 40 nhl games next season.

 

[Hodgy]

He just returned off nearly 2 years out with a knee or something. He could be on the team but kind fo hard to project how well he plays after 40 nhl games next season.

I assume they are happy to have him for his leadership and experience even if he just plays 8-10 minutes on the fourth line, or is the 13th forward. So I am not sure how relevant his next 40 games will be.

 

[Bgav]

He just returned off nearly 2 years out with a knee or something. He could be on the team but kind fo hard to project how well he plays after 40 nhl games next season.

I mean not a big deal, this top 6 stuff is hilarious you still have a full roster to fill

 

[Kryten]

Watch Sweden pull a Samuelsson on Petey

 

[StreetHawk]

I mean not a big deal, this top 6 stuff is hilarious you still have a full roster to fill

Just figured the first 6 are guys who are locks to be on the roster. Where you can pretty much be certain of their performance level in 25/26. Guess, this does mean he's feeling good enough to play in 25/26, which is a good sign. How effective he will be, that's another story.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

Watch Sweden pull a Samuelsson on Petey

Unless Petey comes out of the gates like his asshole is on fire this year, I don't think he cracks the squad.

If he comes out playing like himself again, he should be there easily. But his spot is not a given.

 

[Hodgy]

Unless Petey comes out of the gates like his asshole is on fire this year, I don't think he cracks the squad.

If he comes out playing like himself again, he should be there easily. But his spot is not a given.

Ya, and you can't really blame Team Sweden given how poor he was at the 4 Nations.

 

[Jyrki21]

surprised hronek didn't make the czech six

Now there's a throwback...