Bennett Joins, Bedard Excluded from TSN’s Final Team Canada Roster
The excitement for Canada’s Olympic men’s hockey roster is building up as the official announcement is set for Wednesday. Fans and analysts alike await the selection of the final team that will compete in Milano Cortina in February 2026. TSN’s Director of Scouting, Craig Button, and analyst Mike Johnson have combined their insights for a final consensus roster. This reflects their personal selections rather than a predictive list from Team Canada.
Key Roster Changes
Several significant alterations are evident from their previous consensus roster released on December 11. The most notable is the exclusion of Connor Bedard, who has been sidelined due to an upper-body injury sustained on December 12. Sam Bennett has since been introduced as his replacement.
Injury Impact on Bedard
The 20-year-old Bedard experienced an injury during a face-off, which has prevented him from returning to game action until the new year. Although he has performed at an impressive level, achieving over a point-per-game in his NHL career, the injury has raised concerns about his readiness for the Olympics. Johnson emphasized the challenge of excluding Bedard from the roster, citing the need for players to be fully fit before joining such a competitive platform.
Bennett’s Performance
Sam Bennett has stood out during the season, contributing significantly to the Florida Panthers with 13 goals and 28 points in 38 games. Given his impressive stats, Bennett is expected to adopt a depth forward role on Team Canada, moving Mark Scheifele up to Bedard’s former position as a top-line winger.
Goaltending Adjustments
The selection for goaltender has also shifted dramatically. Jordan Binnington, struggling with his performance, has been removed from the roster. He recorded an .870 save percentage and a 3.44 goals against average this season. Mackenzie Blackwood is now poised to take on a more significant role, following strong performances for the Colorado Avalanche.
Roster Details and Implications
Button and Johnson’s latest roster highlights these changes. Blackwood joins Logan Thompson and Darcy Kuemper as goaltenders, marking a shift from earlier selections. The final unveiling of Canada’s roster will happen during a video conference in Minneapolis this Wednesday.
Historical Context in Olympic Hockey
Canada has a strong Olympic hockey legacy, with past gold medals in 2010 and 2014. Despite recent challenges, including a bronze in 2018 and finishing off the podium in 2022, Canada aims to reclaim its glory. The Olympic hockey tournament kicks off on February 6, 2026, with the gold-medal game scheduled for February 22.
- Event: Olympics Men’s Hockey Roster Reveal
- Date: Wednesday, December 30
- Location: Video conference in Minneapolis
- Benched Player: Connor Bedard (Injury)
- Replacement: Sam Bennett
- Goaltender Changes: Jordan Binnington out, Mackenzie Blackwood in
As the team prepares for the challenge ahead, all eyes will be on how these roster changes play out on the Olympic stage. Fans await the selection that could redefine Canada’s approach to men’s hockey as they strive for another Olympic medal.
