NHL rookies Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini have been two of the most talked-about players this season. One of the biggest debates among fans is whether either, or both, will make Team Canada for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina.
Team Canada’s roster will include only 25 players, and six spots are already filled. With so few openings left, every spot matters, and now a new name has entered the conversation.
Who Is the Rising NHL Star Challenging Bedard and Celebrini for a Spot on Team Canada?
New York Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer has emerged as a surprise contender for a Team Canada spot. Schaefer has 15 points in 19 games. He also became the youngest player in the NHL to score an OT winner in Friday’s game against Utah. He’s also the early favourite for the Calder Trophy.
His strong start has fans debating whether he deserves a place on the Olympic roster. NHL analyst Jesse Pollock argued that Schaefer should be in the mix, saying: “Just cuz he’s a rookie… Should that really be the reason he’s not taken? I certainly don’t think so. Take the best players.” Pollock wrote.
Fans shared mixed opinions. One fan wrote that Canada might end up leaving out both Bedard and Schaefer while only making Celebrini an alternate. The fan also argued, “All 3 should be on the team. They’ve all earned it and it would be huge value added to the future of the team.”
watch team Canada leave him and Bedard off and make Celebrini an alternate. All 3 should be on the team. They’ve all earned it and it would be huge value added to the future of the team.
— Michael Murphy (@mmurphyhimself) November 16, 2025
Another pushed back, saying you can’t judge the “best players” after fewer than 20 regular-season games and pointing to a recent play where the Hurricanes’ Andrei Svechnikov easily beat Schaefer one-on-one.
Some argued that veterans should still be favoured, saying, “Over who? Makar, Toews, Harley, Morrisey, Doughty all locked in already.” A fan warned that choosing rookies over established players “might have problems getting players to commit in the future”.
If they choose a rookie , passing over capable veterans they might have problems getting players to commit in the future
— No Morles (@NoMorles) November 16, 2025
One fan even said they wouldn’t want Schaefer anywhere near Team Canada. “No thank you… Kid is already going to play 50 more games than he did last year. #isles fans should not want him anywhere near Team Canada,” especially after last year’s injuries and surgery.
No thank you… Kid is already going to play 50 more games than he did last year. #isles fans should not want him anywhere near Team Canada.
— Valueman (@valuebax) November 16, 2025
How Team Canada chooses to round out its lineup remains uncertain, and the discussion among fans continues to grow.
