Who Would Make Canada's Roster If There Was Olympics This Year?

[lakai17]

When does Sid "the Kid" become Sid "the Old Man"?

We've just witnessed OV fall off a cliff, does that happen to Crosby before 2026?

To his credit, he's playing amazing on a garbage team.

Maybe he wa

Not sure. His point production, prior to this year, was always increasing. I don't see him enough (Ottawa.... pffft) to comment on his play.


That's the hope. Their dad was useless on the international stage - IIRC.

Their dad was still an impact player with his physical style of game trying to wear down opponents.

 

[miscs75]

Barzal, Dobson, McForehead and a bunch of other suspects. Goaltending would still be suspect.

 

[ChazzMichaelMichaels]

The 2026 Olympic team will be fascinating. Definitely a changing of the guard as a few mainstays that have been Team Canada would be staples are either gone or will be too old.

Starting with Mcdavid, Mack and Bedard is almost unfair. Other automatics I suppose up front would be Marner and Point.

The rest of the squad up front is kinda hard to project this far out.
Barzal
Thomas
Kyrou
Fantilli
Byfield
Cozens
Mctavish
Johnson and Johnston
Jarvis
Mercer?
Konecny
Hagel?
Vilardi
Perfetti
Wonder where Cellebrini and Lindstrom's game will be in a couple years
Hard to project where the older crew would be like Stone, Hyman, Crosby, Stamkos but they'll definitely force a few into the line-up.

Definitely lacks that size and intimidation that Team Canada usually has. Would really be relying on Mcdavid, Mack, Bedard and Point to be the trump cards to whatever Canada is against. Need a player or two to really break out or come out of no where.

The Defense looks surprisingly optimistic for options. Makar is an automatic and then I think Toews would likely be there. Some others with a chance:
Pelech
Dobson
Weegar
Ekblad
Montour
Hamilton
Chychrun
Chabot
Rielly
Theodore

Some young guys that could really have some high upside and could really blow up over the next couple years in:
Power
Korchinski
Byram
Clarke
Guhle
Dickinson

 

[ORRFForever]

The 2026 Olympic team will be fascinating. Definitely a changing of the guard as a few mainstays that have been Team Canada would be staples are either gone or will be too old.

Starting with Mcdavid, Mack and Bedard is almost unfair. Other automatics I suppose up front would be Marner and Point.

The rest of the squad up front is kinda hard to project this far out.
Barzal
Thomas
Kyrou
Fantilli
Byfield
Cozens
Mctavish
Johnson and Johnston
Jarvis
Mercer?
Konecny
Hagel?
Vilardi
Perfetti
Wonder where Cellebrini and Lindstrom's game will be in a couple years
Hard to project where the older crew would be like Stone, Hyman, Crosby, Stamkos but they'll definitely force a few into the line-up.

Definitely lacks that size and intimidation that Team Canada usually has. Would really be relying on Mcdavid, Mack, Bedard and Point to be the trump cards to whatever Canada is against. Need a player or two to really break out or come out of no where.

The Defense looks surprisingly optimistic for options. Makar is an automatic and then I think Toews would likely be there. Some others with a chance:
Pelech
Dobson
Weegar
Ekblad
Montour
Hamilton
Chychrun
Chabot
Rielly
Theodore

Some young guys that could really have some high upside and could really blow up over the next couple years in:
Power
Korchinski
Byram
Clarke
Guhle
Dickinson

Yup. Looks pretty good.

We all complain about the 2016 - 2019 drafts but, after that, it's an avalanche of talent - just in time.

 

[ORRFForever]

Mark Scheifele does not get enough love.

 

[Adam da bomb]

The 2026 Olympic team will be fascinating. Definitely a changing of the guard as a few mainstays that have been Team Canada would be staples are either gone or will be too old.

Starting with Mcdavid, Mack and Bedard is almost unfair. Other automatics I suppose up front would be Marner and Point.

The rest of the squad up front is kinda hard to project this far out.
Barzal
Thomas
Kyrou
Fantilli
Byfield
Cozens
Mctavish
Johnson and Johnston
Jarvis
Mercer?
Konecny
Hagel?
Vilardi
Perfetti
Wonder where Cellebrini and Lindstrom's game will be in a couple years
Hard to project where the older crew would be like Stone, Hyman, Crosby, Stamkos but they'll definitely force a few into the line-up.

Definitely lacks that size and intimidation that Team Canada usually has. Would really be relying on Mcdavid, Mack, Bedard and Point to be the trump cards to whatever Canada is against. Need a player or two to really break out or come out of no where.

The Defense looks surprisingly optimistic for options. Makar is an automatic and then I think Toews would likely be there. Some others with a chance:
Pelech
Dobson
Weegar
Ekblad
Montour
Hamilton
Chychrun
Chabot
Rielly
Theodore

Some young guys that could really have some high upside and could really blow up over the next couple years in:
Power
Korchinski
Byram
Clarke
Guhle
Dickinson

You forgot morrissey.

 

[ORRFForever]

You forgot Morrissey.

You're right.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

The 2026 Olympic team will be fascinating. Definitely a changing of the guard as a few mainstays that have been Team Canada would be staples are either gone or will be too old.

Starting with Mcdavid, Mack and Bedard is almost unfair. Other automatics I suppose up front would be Marner and Point.

The rest of the squad up front is kinda hard to project this far out.
Barzal
Thomas
Kyrou
Fantilli
Byfield
Cozens
Mctavish
Johnson and Johnston
Jarvis
Mercer?
Konecny
Hagel?
Vilardi
Perfetti
Wonder where Cellebrini and Lindstrom's game will be in a couple years
Hard to project where the older crew would be like Stone, Hyman, Crosby, Stamkos but they'll definitely force a few into the line-up.

Definitely lacks that size and intimidation that Team Canada usually has. Would really be relying on Mcdavid, Mack, Bedard and Point to be the trump cards to whatever Canada is against. Need a player or two to really break out or come out of no where.

The Defense looks surprisingly optimistic for options. Makar is an automatic and then I think Toews would likely be there. Some others with a chance:
Pelech
Dobson
Weegar
Ekblad
Montour
Hamilton
Chychrun
Chabot
Rielly
Theodore

Some young guys that could really have some high upside and could really blow up over the next couple years in:
Power
Korchinski
Byram
Clarke
Guhle
Dickinson

Nick Suzuki needs to be on that list......the guy is a big game performer.

 

[ChazzMichaelMichaels]

You forgot morrissey.

Mmmmmm, sure did. Knew there’d be a few!

 

[ORRFForever]

Mmmmmm, sure did. Knew there’d be a few!

The price we pay for "depth".

 

[ORRFForever]

I HATED it but everyone needs to check out Bedard's goal against St Louis.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Needs more Tom Wilson.

 

[ORRFForever]

Jack Quinn has 2 goals in 3 games. Now, if he could just stay healthy.

 

[Nucks2001]

Byfield is looking better and better. It’s unfair for someone to be that big and be that fast. I think he’s a lock for 2026 if he keeps this up.
Imagine:

Byfield-MacKinnon-Point

Mix of Infinite speed, finishing ability, size, clutchness , two-way play and match-up nightmare.

 

[Voight]

Byfield is looking better and better. It’s unfair for someone to be that big and be that fast. I think he’s a lock for 2026 if he keeps this up.
Imagine:

Byfield-MacKinnon-Point

Mix of Infinite speed, finishing ability, size, clutchness , two-way play and match-up nightmare.

I like Byfield a lot (said before the draft he would have a better career than Laf) but this is a huge stretch.

Sure, if keeps his pace up this year and has another great season next year his chances are good, LW is pretty weak but still.

 

[ORRFForever]

Byfield is looking better and better. It’s unfair for someone to be that big and be that fast. I think he’s a lock for 2026 if he keeps this up.
Imagine:

Byfield-MacKinnon-Point

Mix of Infinite speed, finishing ability, size, clutchness , two-way play and match-up nightmare.

Agree. Let's hope he continues on this trajectory.

 

[Nucks2001]

I like Byfield a lot (said before the draft he would have a better career than Laf) but this is a huge stretch.

Sure, if keeps his pace up this year and has another great season next year his chances are good, LW is pretty weak but still.

He’s been the best player on the Kings and is playing 4-5 minutes less than their top dogs. Watching him play, he’s just too fast and too big not to have on big ice. LW is weak. Huberdeau? Hyman? 37-year old Marchand? I like Verhaege, but he’s more suited for a bottom 6 role. A lock may be a stretch, but I think he LIKELY makes it over a lot of other players if he keeps this up.

 

[ORRFForever]

He’s been the best player on the Kings and is playing 4-5 minutes less than their top dogs. Watching him play, he’s just too fast and too big not to have on big ice. LW is weak. Huberdeau? Hyman? 37-year old Marchand? I like Verhaege, but he’s more suited for a bottom 6 role. A lock may be a stretch, but I think he LIKELY makes it over a lot of other players if he keeps this up.

Good post.

Re : "playing 4-5 minutes less than their top dogs:

I noticed that, too.

 

[Heldig]

I don't think a slow start for the Tkachuks 30 games in means much.

I think their roster would be a bit different. Likely carry more vets instead of all youngsters.

Matthews Hughes Tkachuk
Robertson Eichel Connor
Miller Thompson Tkachuk
Kreider Larkin Guentzel
Beniers, Caufield

I don't think Zegras sniffs the roster personally.

No Clayton Keller?

 

[ORRFForever]

Jamie Drysdale is back and has 1 goal and 2 assists in 5 games.

 

[ORRFForever]

McTavish with a 3 point night.

 

[TheDoldrums]

2025 World Cup roster projections by the athletic

Projecting Canada's 2025 hockey roster: How do McDavid, Makar, Bedard and Co. stack up for best-on-best?

Best-on-best international hockey is returning, even if it may not look exactly how many fans hoped. How does Canada's roster stack up?

theathletic.com

Chris Johnston

Crosby-McDavid-Bedard
Marchand-Mackinnon-Barzal
Stone-Point-Marner
Hyman-Tavares-Reinhart
Stamkos/Scheifele

Toews-Makar
Theodore-Pietrangelo
Morrissey-Doughty
Rielly-Ekblad

Hill
Binngton
Talbot


Eric Duhatschek

RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Marchand-Crosby-Point
Kadri-MacKinnon-Stone
Horvat-Bedard-Marner
Suzuki/Scheifele

Toews-Makar
Morrissey-Weegar
Theodore-Pietrangelo
Rielly-Doughty

Hill
Jarry
Thompson


Dom Luszczyszyn

Hyman-McDavid-Marner
Crosby-MacKinnon-Bedard
Hagel-Point-Barzal
Verhaeghe-Scheifele-Reinhart
Toffoli/Thomas

Toews-Makar
Morrissey-Dobson
Theodore-Pietrangelo
Weegar-Bouchard

Hart
Jarry
Levi

 

[Eternal Leaf]

Only Chris Johnston's team is remotely reasonable.

Eric and Dom have to be joking with their roster selections.

 

[Nucks2001]

2025 World Cup roster projections by the athletic

Projecting Canada's 2025 hockey roster: How do McDavid, Makar, Bedard and Co. stack up for best-on-best?

Best-on-best international hockey is returning, even if it may not look exactly how many fans hoped. How does Canada's roster stack up?

theathletic.com

Chris Johnston

Crosby-McDavid-Bedard
Marchand-Mackinnon-Barzal
Stone-Point-Marner
Hyman-Tavares-Reinhart
Stamkos/Scheifele

Toews-Makar
Theodore-Pietrangelo
Morrissey-Doughty
Rielly-Ekblad

Hill
Binngton
Talbot


Eric Duhatschek

RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Marchand-Crosby-Point
Kadri-MacKinnon-Stone
Horvat-Bedard-Marner
Suzuki/Scheifele

Toews-Makar
Morrissey-Weegar
Theodore-Pietrangelo
Rielly-Doughty

Hill
Jarry
Thompson


Dom Luszczyszyn

Hyman-McDavid-Marner
Crosby-MacKinnon-Bedard
Hagel-Point-Barzal
Verhaeghe-Scheifele-Reinhart
Toffoli/Thomas

Toews-Makar
Morrissey-Dobson
Theodore-Pietrangelo
Weegar-Bouchard

Hart
Jarry
Levi

Agree that Johnston’s team looks the most reasonable. I’d opt for Robert Thomas as the 4th line centre. I don’t think anyone can argue Tavares is better Thomas in 2024. Probably have Verhaege as a shooter alongside Mack instead of Marchand. High volume shooter, high stakes finisher, natural winger and is younger and faster than Marchand. I also think we would get more out of Byfield or McTavish over Hyman on the 4th line.

Dobson > Ekblad

Only Chris Johnston's team is remotely reasonable.

Eric and Dom have to be joking with their roster selections.

Agreed

 

[nbwingsfan]

TC always seems to bring a “grinder” type player, typically one with chemistry with one of their star players.

For that reason I think Hyman would be a lock if his play doesn’t fall off a cliff from now until the