We are in the final stretch before Canada reveals its roster for the men’s Olympic hockey team.
Debates have been raging among hockey fans for months on who deserves a spot on the Olympic roster, which is set to be revealed on New Year’s Eve. The 4 Nations tournament gave a sneak peek at which players had an inside track, but there is potential for things to look a lot different for Canada in Milan.
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun provided another update on where things stand with Team Canada’s selection process during Thursday morning’s edition of Early Trading on TSN. The veteran reporter said that the Canadian brass was set to narrow down the list of players with a call scheduled for Thursday night.
“Team Canada’s management group will have another call to discuss all this on Thursday night,” LeBrun said. “My understanding is that they’re down to about five roster decisions. Two up front, two on [defence], and one in goal, where they’re down to four goalies.”
So, what are those decisions? Let’s take a closer look…
Young stars making a push
Canada has seen a bit of a youth explosion in the NHL so far this season, and it might bleed into the Olympic roster.
Both Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard have been lights out this season, forcing themselves onto Team Canada’s radar. According to LeBrun, it looks like Celebrini might have the edge over Bedard right now.
Tom Wilson has also apparently made a strong push to be added to the team.
“I think Celebrini and Wilson are on [the team],” LeBrun said.
CELEBRINI ARE YOU SERIOUS SPIN MOVE GOAL 😵🚨 pic.twitter.com/sylXnHNHda
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 17, 2025
Nick Suzuki and Bo Horvat were mentioned as other players pushing to grab roster spots. While Bedard has impressed, LeBrun said that the Chicago Blackhawks star is more likely to be an injury replacement if needed.
Schaefer and Bouchard battling it out
The youth movement could be coming to Team Canada’s Olympic blue line as well.
It seemed almost impossible that an 18-year-old rookie defenceman would even be considered for the Olympic team, but Matthew Schaefer has been that good with the New York Islanders this season.
LeBrun reported that the battle for the eighth defenceman spot has come down to Schaefer and Edmonton Oilers rearguard Evan Bouchard.
“[Schaefer] remains still in these final conversations,” LeBrun reported. “One name that’s been written off by many is Evan Bouchard… I’m told his name has now resurfaced in these conversations at the 11th hour.
“I think it’s between Schaefer and Bouchard, probably for that eighth spot.”
Not your typical Bouch bomb 💣 pic.twitter.com/PbX3LTgoaM
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 17, 2025
The NHL insider said that there is also a possibility that Canada opts to bring back the same defensive group they won with at the 4 Nations. In addition, LeBrun mentioned that two of Thomas Harley, Colton Parayko, and Travis Sanheim are at risk of losing their spot.
Drama in the Canada crease?
Canada’s goaltending has been a hot topic for quite a while now, and questions continue to swirl around it.
The good news is that it sounds like Canada has narrowed down their choices to four goalies for the three Olympic spots. The bad news is that there is no clear-cut starter as of now. Many thought Jordan Binnington would be a lock after his 4 Nations heroics, but his slow start to the season has put that into question.
“I think the chances he gets bumped aren’t great, but what I will tell you is that it is a real conversation now that his struggles continue,” LeBrun said. “It, at the very least, has been a conversation of late within Team Canada.”
The other goalies in consideration are Logan Thompson, Darcy Kuemper, and MacKenzie Blackwood.