2026 Winter Olympic Roster Projections: Team Canada

It’s best-on-best hockey for the first time since 2014, and Olympic gold is on the line. The NHL returns to the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympic Games. We have covered roster projections for Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Germany, and the USA previously. But for this edition of Olympic Roster Projections, the focus is one of the frontrunners for the goal medal at any international hockey tournament, Team Canada.

The Team Canada 2026 Winter Olympics Roster Projections

The debate rages over who will be on this roster, and there will be names off the roster that on any other team in the tournament would be a sure lock to be there. Rosters are limited to three goaltenders and 22 skaters for a 25 man total roster. The submissions are due to the International Olympic Committee on New Years Eve. However, the first six players were unveiled before the season and for Canada they are as follows, Sidney Crosby (F), Nathan MacKinnon (F), Cale Makar (D), Connor McDavid (F), Brayden Point (F), and Sam Reinhart (F).

The Olympic Roster Projections and the Goaltenders

The unquestioned potential issue for Canada is in net. Jordan Binnington is the frontrunner to be in net for game one. However, there’s been a surge from a couple of goaltenders in Hockey Canada’s system.

Jordan Binnington (STL)
Logan Thompson (WAS)
Scott Wedgewood (COL)

During the process for the selection of the 4 Nations Face-Off roster it came as a surprise to many when Logan Thompson was left off the Canadian squad. Backstopping the Washington Capitals his goals-saved above expected is 13.5 this season, which is good for number two in the league behind Spencer Knight (14.7). We will add that both Adin Hill and Sam Montembeault still have a good standing with those selecting the team from Canada. Conversely, Montembeault has struggled this season, almost to the point of playing himself off the team. He could still make it, but we do have others ahead of him for the time being.

Defence Projections

It has been a strength of the Canadian’s for decades. With the ability to field one of the best defensive cores at every tournament, Canada can do the same once again. It’s also noted that 2025 first overall selection Matthew Schaefer has been included on the Olympic drug testing protocol. It indicates that the sensational rookie is on the Canadian Olympic roster radar as a possible selection. The projected pairings could include the following.

Left Defence – Right Defence

Devon Toews (COL) – Cale Makar (COL)
Josh Morrisey (WPG) – Noah Dobson (MTL)
Thomas Harley (DAL) – Brandon Montour (SEA)
Travis Sanheim (PHI) – Colton Parayko (STL)

Schaefer’s spot in the roster could come at the cost of one of Thomas Harley, who came in on short notice for Canada at the 4 Nations and performed incredibly well, or Travis Sanheim. Others in consideration are Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers. Based on other discussions, and the fact that Canada likes familiarity, Drew Doughty and Shea Theodore are still in good standing.

Forward Line Projections

There are a couple of young stars taking over the league in a bid to be a part of the Canadian roster. The question is do Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini make the trip. The debate surrounding the two is whether to take both, one, or neither. If they both continue on the pace that they’re on, it would be foolish to leave them off the roster. The possible lines are as follows.

Left Wing – Centre – Right Wing

Macklin Celebrini (SJS) – Nathan MacKinnon (COL) – Connor Bedard (CHI)
Bo Horvat (NYI) – Connor McDavid (EDM) – Mitchell Marner (VGK)
Nick Suzuki (MTL)- Sidney Crosby (PIT) – Brayden Point (TBL)
Brad Marchand (FLA) – Sam Bennett (FLA) – Sam Reinhart (FLA)
Matthew Barzal (NYI)- Seth Jarvis (CAR)

The other players in consideration for the Canadian Olympic roster include the following. Mark Scheifele, Nazem Kadri, Wyatt Johnson, Brandon Hagel, and John Tavares.

Historically Team Canada has won a total of 78 international medals, including 44 of those being gold. At the Olympics, Canada has won a shared record of 9 gold medals. With the last Canadian gold also being the last time NHLers competed in 2014. Canada begins their tournament on February 12 against Czechia.