This would be my forward core for 2026:
LW McDavid Point
Crosby MacKinnon Reinhart
LW Thomas RW
LW Bennett Marner
I am assuming that other than Thomas and Bennett those guys are all locks anyway, and Bennett probably has a very good chance at this point. You obviously build the top two lines around McDavid and MacKinnon, and Bennett showed enough that you can easily see him slotting in as fourth line centre who can play well defensively and also change the style of play the other team has to prepare for. I like Thomas best among third line options as he is decent enough defensively, an elite skater, and will provide an offensive threat that Cirelli could not. Marner did well in a defensive line wing slot, as some of us suspected, and deserves to return. Reinhart looks good next to MacKinnon and Crosby and despite being somewhat underwhelming in the four nations deserves to come back. Point can skate with McDavid and brings a lot of versatility that benefits the team. Finally, Crosby will be there as captain regardless, but you go into next year hoping that he is healthy come February 2026. If Crosby really is intent on staying in Pittsburgh, then the 2026 Olympics is the only meaningful hockey he will be playing in the next two years. I hope that he can set his mind to preparing for the Olympics in the same way that Lemieux had the 2002 Olympics as his priority 24 years ago.
I see any of Jarvis, Stone, or Konecny as viable contenders to return in a RW spot. I'd say that the coaches, for what its worth, clearly see Stone as the most useful, followed by Jarvis, followed by Konecny, but I saw Jarvis as the worst of the three at the four nations. Have to think that Johnston is a very strong contender to play RW on this team if he keeps developing properly, good all around game and versatility. I don't think that Scheifele is as strong of a contender as most seem to (he won't keep shooting over 25% like he has this seaon so far and I don't buy that he is peaking in his 30s) but I do like his size. I see Barzal (weird stylistic fit for Canada) Guenther (young and inexperienced) and Vilardi (solid but not as good as other contenders at their best) as outside chances who could make the team. Finally Bedard is the most interesting RW option. I see someone with his skill level as potentially a huge asset in what will likely be very tight checking games, but by the same token his lack of defence could be exposed. Ideally he makes the leap next year but if not he likely does not make this team. Finally, Wilson is an interesting option in terms of bringing something that no other forward does, but I have to think that if he didn't make the four nations team then he has very little chance for the Olympics with IIHF discipline reviewing things.
LW is more wide open in my opinion, with fewer established options and Marchand very likely gone. Hagel must be a favourite to return, and while his upside is limited at this level he has a clear role and can contribute in it on a depth line. I think that Celebrini has actually decent odds of making this team as a LW, despite his age. He plays a strong all around game, doesn't pick up a lot of easy point from linemates to inflate his point totals, and is great in transition and puck battles. If he keeps developing I'd be good with Celebrini as a LW on a depth line. Lafreniere has not built on a strong year last year, which is disappointing, but if he turns the corner there is a spot for a big and talented LW on this team. By the same token if Fantilli can take a leap his skating and size would look very nice on the LW. Even McTavish I'd give an outside shot to, even if it is just as a guy invited to summer camp, because he brings something different. I'd give outside chances to Hyman and Duchene as well, guys you might at least invite to camp. I recognize that guys like Guenther or Bedard may slot in as LWs as well.
I can see Suzuki contending for one of the centre spots as well and if he doesn't get one he could contend for one of the 13th or 14th forward spots. Cirelli in the same boat. But this is generally how I would have the forward spots shaping up, and it's probably very similar to the names Hockey Canada is looking at. I'm hoping to see some of these players at the iihf world championship this year. Generally though these are the guys I would see invited to summer camp barring someone like Dubois or Cozens suddenly going on a tear to close out the season.
Defence has a lot of legitimate contenders in my opinion but this post is more than long enough.
