With the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina getting closer, the conversation around who will make Team Canada’s roster is already picking up steam. One of the names fans are excited about is Chicago Blackhawks phenom Connor Bedard, who many believe has a real shot at earning a spot.
But not everyone is convinced. One former NHL veteran thinks Bedard’s chances are actually pretty slim, and it all comes down to the crowded competition down the middle.
Who’s Blocking Connor Bedard’s Path to Team Canada?
Team Canada’s Olympic roster will include 25 players with 14 forwards, eight defensemen, and three goalies. So, every forward spot is valuable. Six names are already locked in. Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Connor McDavid, Brayden Point, and Sam Reinhart. The rest of the roster will be decided by December 31. Injury replacements were to be announced in January.
On “The Stretch” podcast, former NHLer Paul Bissonnette explained why he doesn’t believe Bedard should make the team, despite the rookie’s strong start to the season. Bedard already has 26 points, putting him in a tie for fourth in league scoring.
“He plays center, and if you look at the depth of Canadian centers,” Bissonnette said. “I mean, he ain’t better than (Connor) McDavid, he ain’t better than (Nathan) MacKinnon, he ain’t better than (Sidney) Crosby. I would even say he’s not better than Nick Suzuki. There are probably seven guys at center ice that I would have higher on the depth chart for Team Canada. I don’t give a f**k about points.”
Bissonnette even said Bedard isn’t ahead of Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki, who’s in year four of his eight-year, $63 million deal, despite Suzuki having fewer points (21). For Bissonnette, production isn’t the deciding factor.
“I care about, I know he is not a first two-line center…,” Bissonnette added. “When has he played against elite centers around the world in a checking or responsible role?” I’m not saying he can’t do it.”
Bissonnette also mentioned that Blackhawks fans were pushing back at him, arguing that Bedard should still make the team because of his point totals. Some even suggested shifting him to the wing. But he wasn’t sold on that either: “I don’t know if the Olympics, best on best, is the first time to experiment on Connor Bedard on the wing.
With the Olympics set for Feb. 11–22, the big question remains: Will Bedard’s play be enough to earn him a spot on Team Canada? We’ll have to wait and see.
