Olympics: Team Canada 2026

[ORRFForever]

I think we will see a few older players not make it on the olympic team...

Olympic ice is a huge factor IMO these guys are OUT..

Doughty
Pietrangelo
Parayko

2026 Olympic team locks on D:
Makar
Morrisey
Theodore
Harley

Guys that I think are in the hunt for a roster spot on D are:

Sanhiem
Toews (he likely gets in simply as he plays with Makar and that will make Makar comfy...
Weeger
Chabot
Dobson
Bouchard

The Olympics will be played on NHL sized ice.

Hockey Canada will stick with

Toews - Makar
Theodore - Pietrangelo
Morrisey -
Harley -

 

[RoyIsALegend]

I think we will see a few older players not make it on the olympic team...

Olympic ice is a huge factor IMO these guys are OUT..

Doughty
Pietrangelo
Parayko

2026 Olympic team locks on D:
Makar
Morrisey
Theodore
Harley

Guys that I think are in the hunt for a roster spot on D are:

Sanhiem
Toews (he likely gets in simply as he plays with Makar and that will make Makar comfy...
Weeger
Chabot
Dobson
Bouchard

It must’ve been posted 50 times in this thread by now…

It won’t be Olympic ice. It will be NHL sized ice.

IIHF transitioned to NHL sized ice 4 years ago.

 

[featherhawk]

It must’ve been posted 50 times in this thread by now…

It won’t be Olympic ice. It will be NHL sized ice.

IIHF transitioned to NHL sized ice 4 years ago.

really, wow that is shocking

is that for all IIHF tournaments?

 

[ShameOnYouZidlicky]

So happy for another Team Canada win, we really needed this one with all the political nonsense coming from south of the border. I particularly enjoyed seeing Crabbe and Goyle (Tkachuk brothers) fail. Here are some thoughts leading into the Olympics.

Forwards:

- Locks from this team are: McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, Marner, Point, Reinhart
- Close to locks: Bennett
- Bubble: Stone, Hagel, Marchand, Konecny, Jarvis
- Shouldn't make it: Cirelli
- Locks are pretty obvious ones. Reinhart would be the only one who could be considered to be more of a close to lock due to his skating but as long as he keeps scoring, he should be there
- Bennett was a pleasant surprise. I was against having him on the team but I loved his physicality and obviously had a big moment in the final game.
- Stone and Marchand are really slow at this point of their careers. I'm not sure about either of them being there
- I really liked Hagel and would have him back as a 4LW with his speed, grit and ability to play with star players
- Konecny and Jarvis were fine and they should be given a look to make the team again but will need to prove themselves
- Cirelli is a great NHL player but he just looked out of place in the tournament
- Other players to consider: Suzuki, Thomas, Scheifele, Byfield, Johnston, Bedard, Celebrini, Wilson, Fantilli, Verheaghe
- Hoping our young up and coming stars like Bedard, Celebrini and Johnston take the next step convince TC to include them
- I really hope TC doesn't have blind loyalty to certain players like what happened in 2006 after the 2002 and 2004 successes. We won the tournament this year but it was by the skin of their teeth.
- I dont want Canada to respond too heavily to how US physically dominated them , but maybe Wilson is a good addition. As long as they don't build their team around it like the US team did in 2016. This also depends on what the Olympic rules are. They are playing on NHL sized ice with NHL refs, so doesn't it make sense for them to play with NHL rules?

Defense:

- Locks: Makar, Morrissey, Theodore
- Close to locks: Toews, Pietrangelo
- Bubble: Doughty, Sanheim, Parayko, Harley
- Makar and Morrissey were phenomenal for us this tournament. Makar was the best player in the championship game outside of Binnington
- I didn't love Toews' tournament especially in the US game without Makar. He was just shaky throughout the whole tournament. Being Makar's partner is obviously a huge plus for him
- Petro should be there. I don't love that he bailed on us but he is still a big, mobile d-man that will help the team.
- I love Drew Doughty, easily one of my favourite all time players but I am conflicted on this one. He had a fantastic game against the US on Saturday but otherwise he looked pretty slow although steady. I'd like to see a faster team in the Olympics he's up in the air for me
- Sanheim and Parayko were fine but they definitely are not locks quite yet
- Harley was awesome. Would love to see him make the team next year
- Other players to consider: Tanev, Weegar, Ekblad, Bouchard, Chabot, Chychrun, Power, Pelech, Pulock, Montour, Dobson
- I'd consider bringing in Bouchard just for his snapshot if this a 13F/7D tournament

Goalies:

- Locks: Binnington
- Bubble: Hill, Montembault
- Other players to consider: any Canadian goalie
- Binnington proved myself and so many others wrong and deserves to be there next year 100%

My team right now:

Reinhart McDavid Point
Bedard MacKinnon Marner
Celebrini Thomas Stone
Hagel Crosby Wilson
Bennett
Konecny/Suzuki/Jarvis/Johnston/whoever is playing the best

Toews Makar
Morrissey Theodore
Harley Pietrangelo
Sanheim Doughty

Binnington and 2 others (I will go Thompson and Hill for now)

 

[ORRFForever]

So happy for another Team Canada win, we really needed this one with all the political nonsense coming from south of the border. I particularly enjoyed seeing Crabbe and Goyle (Tkachuk brothers) fail. Here are some thoughts leading into the Olympics.

Forwards:

- Locks from this team are: McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, Marner, Point, Reinhart
- Close to locks: Bennett
- Bubble: Stone, Hagel, Marchand, Konecny, Jarvis
- Shouldn't make it: Cirelli
- Locks are pretty obvious ones. Reinhart would be the only one who could be considered to be more of a close to lock due to his skating but as long as he keeps scoring, he should be there
- Bennett was a pleasant surprise. I was against having him on the team but I loved his physicality and obviously had a big moment in the final game.
- Stone and Marchand are really slow at this point of their careers. I'm not sure about either of them being there
- I really liked Hagel and would have him back as a 4LW with his speed, grit and ability to play with star players
- Konecny and Jarvis were fine and they should be given a look to make the team again but will need to prove themselves
- Cirelli is a great NHL player but he just looked out of place in the tournament
- Other players to consider: Suzuki, Thomas, Scheifele, Byfield, Johnston, Bedard, Celebrini, Wilson, Fantilli, Verheaghe
- Hoping our young up and coming stars like Bedard, Celebrini and Johnston take the next step convince TC to include them
- I really hope TC doesn't have blind loyalty to certain players like what happened in 2006 after the 2002 and 2004 successes. We won the tournament this year but it was by the skin of their teeth.
- I dont want Canada to respond too heavily to how US physically dominated them , but maybe Wilson is a good addition. As long as they don't build their team around it like the US team did in 2016. This also depends on what the Olympic rules are. They are playing on NHL sized ice with NHL refs, so doesn't it make sense for them to play with NHL rules?

Defense:

- Locks: Makar, Morrissey, Theodore
- Close to locks: Toews, Pietrangelo
- Bubble: Doughty, Sanheim, Parayko, Harley
- Makar and Morrissey were phenomenal for us this tournament. Makar was the best player in the championship game outside of Binnington
- I didn't love Toews' tournament especially in the US game without Makar. He was just shaky throughout the whole tournament. Being Makar's partner is obviously a huge plus for him
- Petro should be there. I don't love that he bailed on us but he is still a big, mobile d-man that will help the team.
- I love Drew Doughty, easily one of my favourite all time players but I am conflicted on this one. He had a fantastic game against the US on Saturday but otherwise he looked pretty slow although steady. I'd like to see a faster team in the Olympics he's up in the air for me
- Sanheim and Parayko were fine but they definitely are not locks quite yet
- Harley was awesome. Would love to see him make the team next year
- Other players to consider: Tanev, Weegar, Ekblad, Bouchard, Chabot, Chychrun, Power, Pelech, Pulock, Montour, Dobson
- I'd consider bringing in Bouchard just for his snapshot if this a 13F/7D tournament

Goalies:

- Locks: Binnington
- Bubble: Hill, Montembault
- Other players to consider: any Canadian goalie
- Binnington proved myself and so many others wrong and deserves to be there next year 100%

My team right now:

Reinhart McDavid Point
Bedard MacKinnon Marner
Celebrini Thomas Stone
Hagel Crosby Wilson
Bennett
Konecny/Suzuki/Jarvis/Johnston/whoever is playing the best

Toews Makar
Morrissey Theodore
Harley Pietrangelo
Sanheim Doughty

Binnington and 2 others (I will go Thompson and Hill for now)

That is a GREAT post - insightful and easy to read.

 

[ORRFForever]

So happy for another Team Canada win, we really needed this one with all the political nonsense coming from south of the border. I particularly enjoyed seeing Crabbe and Goyle (Tkachuk brothers) fail. Here are some thoughts leading into the Olympics.

Forwards:

- Locks from this team are: McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, Marner, Point, Reinhart
- Close to locks: Bennett
- Bubble: Stone, Hagel, Marchand, Konecny, Jarvis
- Shouldn't make it: Cirelli
- Locks are pretty obvious ones. Reinhart would be the only one who could be considered to be more of a close to lock due to his skating but as long as he keeps scoring, he should be there
- Bennett was a pleasant surprise. I was against having him on the team but I loved his physicality and obviously had a big moment in the final game.
- Stone and Marchand are really slow at this point of their careers. I'm not sure about either of them being there
- I really liked Hagel and would have him back as a 4LW with his speed, grit and ability to play with star players
- Konecny and Jarvis were fine and they should be given a look to make the team again but will need to prove themselves
- Cirelli is a great NHL player but he just looked out of place in the tournament
- Other players to consider: Suzuki, Thomas, Scheifele, Byfield, Johnston, Bedard, Celebrini, Wilson, Fantilli, Verheaghe
- Hoping our young up and coming stars like Bedard, Celebrini and Johnston take the next step convince TC to include them
- I really hope TC doesn't have blind loyalty to certain players like what happened in 2006 after the 2002 and 2004 successes. We won the tournament this year but it was by the skin of their teeth.
- I dont want Canada to respond too heavily to how US physically dominated them , but maybe Wilson is a good addition. As long as they don't build their team around it like the US team did in 2016. This also depends on what the Olympic rules are. They are playing on NHL sized ice with NHL refs, so doesn't it make sense for them to play with NHL rules?

Defense:

- Locks: Makar, Morrissey, Theodore
- Close to locks: Toews, Pietrangelo
- Bubble: Doughty, Sanheim, Parayko, Harley
- Makar and Morrissey were phenomenal for us this tournament. Makar was the best player in the championship game outside of Binnington
- I didn't love Toews' tournament especially in the US game without Makar. He was just shaky throughout the whole tournament. Being Makar's partner is obviously a huge plus for him
- Petro should be there. I don't love that he bailed on us but he is still a big, mobile d-man that will help the team.
- I love Drew Doughty, easily one of my favourite all time players but I am conflicted on this one. He had a fantastic game against the US on Saturday but otherwise he looked pretty slow although steady. I'd like to see a faster team in the Olympics he's up in the air for me
- Sanheim and Parayko were fine but they definitely are not locks quite yet
- Harley was awesome. Would love to see him make the team next year
- Other players to consider: Tanev, Weegar, Ekblad, Bouchard, Chabot, Chychrun, Power, Pelech, Pulock, Montour, Dobson
- I'd consider bringing in Bouchard just for his snapshot if this a 13F/7D tournament

Goalies:

- Locks: Binnington
- Bubble: Hill, Montembault
- Other players to consider: any Canadian goalie
- Binnington proved myself and so many others wrong and deserves to be there next year 100%

My team right now:

Reinhart McDavid Point
Bedard MacKinnon Marner
Celebrini Thomas Stone
Hagel Crosby Wilson
Bennett
Konecny/Suzuki/Jarvis/Johnston/whoever is playing the best

Toews Makar
Morrissey Theodore
Harley Pietrangelo
Sanheim Doughty

Binnington and 2 others (I will go Thompson and Hill for now)

Changes to your lineup I would make...

Hagel (27) - McDavid (29) - Point (29)
Crosby (38) - MacKinnon (30) - Johnston (22)
Johnson (23) - Thomas (26) - Marner (28)
Bennett (29) - Reinhart (30) - Wilson (31)
Scheifele (32)

Taxi Squad : Jarvis (24) / Guenther (22) / Celebrini (19)

Why split up Theodore and Pietrangelo?

 

[Ghetty Green]

Changes to your lineup I would make...

Hagel McDavid Point
Crosby MacKinnon Guenther
Johnson Thomas Johnston
Bennett Reinhart Wilson
Jarvis

Why split up Theodore and Pietrangelo?

They aren't a pair like Makar & Toews

 

[ORRFForever]

They aren't a pair like Makar & Toews

But there's going to be chemistry and knowledge. I think you keep them together...

Toews - Makar
Theodore - Pietrangelo
Morrisey - ???
Harley

 

[chaser17]

But there's going to be chemistry and knowledge. I think you keep them together...

Toews - Makar
Theodore - Pietrangelo
Morrisey - ???
Harley

What are the odds Hockey Canada is petty and has deleted Pietros number from their phones?

 

[ORRFForever]

What are the odds Hockey Canada is petty and has deleted Pietros number from their phones?

I doubt it. The Olympics are too important.

He was selfish - although, after what happened to Theodore, I bet the Knights were happy he sat out.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Find it odd that Chychrun's name doesn't make any prospective 2026 Olympic team. Did he tell Hockey Canada at some point that he has no interest in international tournaments? vexing. He's on my list.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Find it odd that Chychrun's name doesn't make any prospective 2026 Olympic team. Did he tell Hockey Canada at some point that he has no interest in international tournaments? vexing. He's on my list.

Left side is just so deep, it’s hard to see where to put him. It’s a good problem to have

 

[Half Clapper]

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.

I can't see Marner playing on the 4th line. He will be play higher up in the line up. He isn't a banger

 

[JackSlater]

I can't see Marner playing on the 4th line. He will be play higher up in the line up. He isn't a banger

That's basically where he got moved in the four nations and it worked. He is good enough defensively to contribute on those lines and on a fourth line he can be the main creator when needed.

Find it odd that Chychrun's name doesn't make any prospective 2026 Olympic team. Did he tell Hockey Canada at some point that he has no interest in international tournaments? vexing. He's on my list.

There are a lot of options for Canada's defence who are pretty much at the same level. Chychrun, if healthy and having a peak kind of year, could play at the required level most likely. Would have helped his case if he ever showed up at the iihf world championship. Probably not something he grew up very aware of though, plus he's always hurt.

 

[Half Clapper]

That's basically where he got moved in the four nations and it worked. He is good enough defensively to contribute on those lines and on a fourth line he can be the main creator when needed.


There are a lot of options for Canada's defence who are pretty much at the same level. Chychrun, if healthy and having a peak kind of year, could play at the required level most likely. Would have helped his case if he ever showed up at the iihf world championship. Probably not something he grew up very aware of though, plus he's always hurt.

He was moved down there for a short period, and then was put where he rightfully belongs and helped Canada win the game. He is top 5 in league scoring, he aint playing that far down in the lineup.

 

[JackSlater]

He was moved down there for a short period, and then was put where he rightfully belongs and helped Canada win the game. He is top 5 in league scoring, he aint playing that far down in the lineup.

He spent his time on those lines, where he actually looked good, and took some extra shifts with McDavid. That's the correct usage for him. Mindlessly forcing Marner into a spot he doesn't work will just result in the same thing, him getting dropped from the first two lines. We know where he works, as several people already predicted, and I hope the coaches are not idiots and take the information they should have gleaned from the four nations event.

 

[Half Clapper]

He spent his time on those lines, where he actually looked good, and took some extra shifts with McDavid. That's the correct usage for him. Mindlessly forcing Marner into a spot he doesn't work will just result in the same thing, him getting dropped from the first two lines. We know where he works, as several people already predicted, and I hope the coaches are not idiots and take the information they should have gleaned from the four nations event.

He won't be on this team if he is playing on the 4th line lol. He learned as the tournament went on how to play in these fast games.

Point - Mcdavid - Marner
Crosby - Mackinnon - Reinhart
Hagel - Scheifele - Johnston
Bennett - Suzuki - Guenther
Wilson

That is my 13 forwards for the Olympics. Swap Wilson / Guenther based on what style you wanna play.

 

[JackSlater]

He won't be on this team if he is playing on the 4th line lol. He learned as the tournament went on how to play in these fast games.

Point - Mcdavid - Marner
Crosby - Mackinnon - Reinhart
Hagel - Scheifele - Johnston
Bennett - Suzuki - Guenther
Wilson

That is my 13 forwards for the Olympics. Swap Wilson / Guenther based on what style you wanna play.

Marner will be on the team, especially since he demonstrated his role. There is no shame in it, having Marner in that role is a luxury. Canada has had better players in depth roles before, the team is built around three skaters and he is not one of them.

 

[ORRFForever]

Analysis of our players at the 4NC. I would have preferred an analysis for the entire tournament and not just the GMG but it's somthing...

Canada Player Ratings: Best players meet moment

In an absolutely thrilling final, Canada defeated Team USA 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night thanks to a goal that instantly became the signature moment of Connor McDavid’s career.

www.sportsnet.ca