Who are the consensus forward picks for Canada's 2026 Olympic hockey team?

Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, Mitch Marner, Sam Reinhart, Macklin Celebrini, and Brayden Point were consensus picks for Canada's top nine forwards.

What are the main debates for Canada's 2026 Olympic hockey defensemen?

Debates for the defense focused on the value of defensive specialists versus puck-movers, and the inclusion of players like Colton Parayko for his size and penalty-killing.

Who is projected to be Canada's starting goalie for the 2026 Olympics?

While Logan Thompson and Jordan Binnington were discussed, it's predicted Binnington, the incumbent gold medalist, may start Game 1 despite recent struggles.

Home / Sports / Canada's 2026 Olympic Hockey Roster Debated

Canada's 2026 Olympic Hockey Roster Debated

5 Dec

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Summary

Macklin Celebrini is now a strong, unanimous pick for Canada's Olympic team.
Debates raged over size, physicality, and veteran vs. young talent for the roster.
Connor Bedard's usage sparked disagreement among the panel members.

Canada's 2026 Olympic Hockey Roster Debated

A panel of hockey experts recently debated and constructed Canada's projected depth chart for the 2026 Olympics, revealing key decisions and disagreements. Macklin Celebrini has solidified his position as a unanimous choice, lauded for his mature, well-rounded game that extends beyond offensive prowess. His inclusion highlights a shift from earlier considerations, emphasizing his readiness to drive play against elite competition.

The construction of the forward lines involved significant discussion on balancing size, physicality, and the blend of veteran experience with emerging young talent. While consensus formed around stars like McDavid and MacKinnon, the bottom six sparked debate, with players like Mark Scheifele and Nick Suzuki earning spots. Concerns about the smaller rink size in Milan intensified discussions about physically imposing players.