Olympic Hockey Roster Race Heats Up with Talented NHL Stars

TORONTO — With just 88 days until the puck drops for men’s hockey at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, NHL players are vying for a spot on their national teams. General manager Doug Armstrong of Team Canada recently announced a streamlined list of potential candidates during a management meeting in Toronto.

As of now, the Canadian roster includes standout performers like Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini, both making strong cases for inclusion. Bedard, the 2023 NHL Draft’s top pick, has collected 25 points in 16 games for the Chicago Blackhawks, while Celebrini, the first overall choice in 2024, has added 24 points for San Jose.

“They’ve got our attention,” Armstrong said. “But more importantly, they’ve captured the focus of other team participants and coaches.” As December approaches, Armstrong hopes to finalize about 80 percent of the roster.

Several players from other teams are also making names for themselves. Morgan Geekie leads Canadian forwards with 36 goals since January, while Tage Thompson is considered a likely candidate for Team USA with strong scoring numbers despite defensive struggles. Jason Robertson continues to impress, boasting consistent offensive production for Dallas.

On the path to the Olympics, the competition remains fierce. Players like Zach Werenski, Dylan Larkin, and David Tomasek are also pushing for a spot on their respective teams, contributing notable points for their clubs.

With goaltending proving problematic for some teams, Canada is keeping a close watch on potential candidates, especially with players like Jordan Binnington and Adin Hill struggling to find form. As the Olympic deadline nears, the pressure intensifies for these hockey athletes to solidify their places on the international stage.