My Lines for 2026:
Crosby-McDavid-Bedard
Celebrini-MacKinnon-Reinhart
Konecny-Point-Marner
Hagel -Thomas-Jarvis
Cirelli-Scheifele
1st line: nothing much to be said here, I think all 3 of these players are locks for the Olympics. Bedard has certainly picked up his offensive production since getting snubbed. I can’t see Hockey Canada giving away the opportunity of having Crosby, McDavid and Bedard on the same team AT THE Olympics
2nd line: MacKinnon and Reinhart obvious locks. Celebrini is certainly going to make this team if he keeps this up.
3rd line: not much to be said here. Point and Marner are locks. Konency likely is too and fills the Marchand role for this team.
4th line: most interesting one. I do think that Robert Thomas would have made the 4-nations team if it were not for injury. He’s one of Armstrong’s favourites and I think Armstrong will make up for it at the Olympics. There has to be a reason that Hockey Canada picked Jarvis and I think he likely gets selected again.
Extras: Cirelli likely makes it because of Cooper. Scheifele, it depends. The reason I have him there is I think Hockey Canada will want him on the team for being snubbed off 4 Nations, but if an injury happens at 4 Nations and Scheifele is able to participate then I think he likely gets let off.
IN THE MIX:
Lafreniere: I think Laf needs to be PPG and kill penalties, otherwise Hockey Canada sees him as no use, which I disagree with.
Johnston: Very possible that he makes it. It sounds like he was in the running for 4-nations until he played himself off the team.
Stone: again, very possible that Hockey Canada leans into Stone for a veteran presence in lieu of Jarvis or even Celebrini.
Stroke: unlikely. Just won’t find top-6 minutes and is not versatile enough for bottom-6.
Byfield: likely doesn’t make it, unless he turns it up.
Marchand: I don’t think so. Even if Sweeney wants him, I think there will be enough backlash from management.
Bennett: it is possible, though I think Bennett’s selection will depend on the outcome of 4-nations and his performance.
Barzal: again, I don’t see him filling in bottom-6 minutes.
Hyman: VERY possible.