February 11th, 2026
Jaden Teja
For the first time in 12 years, we will get to see NHL players at the Olympics. We got a preview of best-on-best hockey at the epic Four Nations Face-Off last February, but that was just the setup for this. Every country is now back in the mix, and the whole world will be watching.
Canada will be looking to reclaim their gold medal from the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, and they’re choosing to run it back with the majority of the same players who helped them win at the Four Nations. But there are some valuable and key additions to the team, none bigger than the fourth-leading scorer in the NHL, the 19-year-old phenom from North Vancouver, Macklin Celebrini. Other notable additions include Nick Suzuki and Tom Wilson, two players many people thought should have been named to the Four Nations squad last February. The other forward added to the squad is none other than former Canucks captain Bo Horvat. Horvat is on pace to have his best season since 2022–23. He currently has 40 points in 44 games and 24 goals.
Canada elected to bring back the same eight defencemen who brought home the championship at the Four Nations. I guess that’s fine, but I thought Jakob Chychrun, Noah Dobson, and Matthew Schaefer might have earned a spot. But I guess if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. However, they did make some changes between the pipes. Logan Thompson and Darcy Kuemper will man the crease alongside Jordan Binnington. Now, this isn’t any hate on Binnington or any of our goalies, but it makes me miss the days of having elite, bona fide goalies like Martin Brodeur, Carey Price, and Roberto Luongo.
Canada had to make two injury replacements on the squad. Sam Bennett will replace Anthony Cirelli, and Seth Jarvis will replace Brayden Point. I like the Bennett addition; he was great in the tournament last February and won the Conn Smythe this past postseason. I also think guys like Nick Suzuki and Bo Horvat will be able to fill Cirelli's role. However, I don’t think I can say the same about Jarvis filling Point’s spot. Don’t get me wrong, I like Seth Jarvis a lot as a player, and I’ve always thought he’s super underrated. I just think that losing a player like Brayden Point, someone who was probably going to play on the first line with Connor McDavid and who is overall such an elite player is a huge loss. I don’t think Jarvis will be able to fill his shoes, unlike someone like Connor Bedard, Wyatt Johnston, or Mark Scheifele would.
These are the projected lines for Canada. Please note that these are just after one practice and will almost certainly be tweaked as the tournament goes on.
Forwards
Macklin Celebrini – Connor McDavid – Tom Wilson
Brad Marchand – Nathan MacKinnon – Nick Suzuki
Mark Stone – Sidney Crosby – Mitch Marner
Brandon Hagel – Bo Horvat – Sam Reinhart
Extras: Seth Jarvis, Sam Bennett
Defence
Devon Toews – Cale Makar
Josh Morrissey – Colton Parayko
Thomas Harley – Drew Doughty
Shea Theodore – Travis Sanheim
I see the vision of playing Wilson on the first line with McDavid. Same with having McDavid, MacKinnon, and Crosby center their own lines. I certainly think if Brayden Point were on the team, they wouldn’t have to do that. I think the best way to take advantage of the big international ice would be playing Nathan MacKinnon on the wing. Also, you have to give Crosby top-six minutes. I don’t care if he’s 38; he’s still Sidney Crosby.
Canada has three of the top four scorers in the NHL on the team. Somehow playing them on a line would be really cool. They have a combined six MVPs on the team (McDavid – 3x, Crosby – 2x, MacKinnon – 1x). They also have three combined Norris Trophies (Makar – 2x, Doughty – 1x). Sidney Crosby will captain the team, with Cale Makar and Connor McDavid wearing the A’s. Crosby and Doughty are also the only players on this roster who played in 2014, and they were both on the 2010 roster as well.
I think this team has a great mix of skill, speed, and size. I do want to remind you that international rules are different from NHL rules. Games will be less physical, and there’s no fighting, unfortunate news for the Tkachuk brothers.
Canada will open the tournament tomorrow morning vs. Czechia at 7:40 a.m., so we will get a good look at this team against other NHL talent. Even though he hasn’t had the best year, I expect Jordan Binnington to start in goal, as he’s proven to play his best when the lights are the brightest. They play again Friday at 12:10 vs. Switzerland and close out the round-robin stage Sunday at 7:40 a.m. vs. France.
I’m so pumped to see McDavid, MacKinnon, and so many other stars make their Olympic debut and feel patriotic as ever for these next few weeks.
GO CANADA!