We are in the final stretch before Canada reveals its roster for the men\u2019s Olympic hockey team.<\/p>\n
Debates have been raging<\/a> among hockey fans for months on who deserves a spot on the Olympic roster, which is set to be revealed on New Year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n NHL insider Pierre LeBrun provided another update on where things stand with Team Canada\u2019s selection process during Thursday morning\u2019s edition of Early Trading on TSN<\/a>. The veteran reporter said that the Canadian brass was set to narrow down the list of players with a call scheduled for Thursday night.<\/p>\n \u201cTeam Canada\u2019s management group will have another call to discuss all this on Thursday night,\u201d LeBrun said. \u201cMy understanding is that they\u2019re down to about five roster decisions. Two up front, two on [defence], and one in goal, where they\u2019re down to four goalies.\u201d<\/p>\n So, what are those decisions? Let\u2019s take a closer look\u2026<\/p>\n Young stars making a push<\/p>\n Canada has seen a bit of a youth explosion in the NHL so far this season, and it might bleed into the Olympic roster.<\/p>\n Both Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard have been lights out this season, forcing themselves onto Team Canada\u2019s radar. According to LeBrun, it looks like Celebrini might have the edge over Bedard right now.<\/p>\n Tom Wilson has also apparently made a strong push to be added to the team.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Celebrini and Wilson are on [the team],\u201d LeBrun said.<\/p>\n CELEBRINI ARE YOU SERIOUS SPIN MOVE GOAL \ud83d\ude35\ud83d\udea8 pic.twitter.com\/sylXnHNHda<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 B\/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Schaefer and Bouchard battling it out<\/p>\n The youth movement could be coming to Team Canada\u2019s Olympic blue line as well.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n LeBrun reported that the battle for the eighth defenceman spot has come down to Schaefer and Edmonton Oilers rearguard Evan Bouchard.<\/p>\n \u201c[Schaefer] remains still in these final conversations,\u201d LeBrun reported. \u201cOne name that\u2019s been written off by many is Evan Bouchard\u2026 I\u2019m told his name has now resurfaced in these conversations at the 11th hour.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s between Schaefer and Bouchard, probably for that eighth spot.\u201d<\/p>\n Not your typical Bouch bomb \ud83d\udca3 pic.twitter.com\/PbX3LTgoaM<\/a><\/p>\n