With the world’s top hockey nations announcing their respective Olympic rosters last week, it’s time to acknowledge those who didn’t make the final cut.

Importantly, this list is not meant to suggest that the players who made their respective teams were undeserving. Rather, the players below are a reminder of just how absurdly high the bar has become for a hockey player to receive the distinguished honour of representing their home country at an Olympic Games.

Without further ado, here are the Top 10 Olympic snubs for Milan 2026.

(Statistics courtesy of Frozen Tools and current to the afternoon of January 3, 2025)

10.   Cole Caufield, LW/RW, USA

Cole Caufield missing out on Team USA is a plain illustration of how ruthless the Olympic selection process can be. One of the league’s most dangerous pure shooters, Caufield has built his career on finding space and finishing chances from anywhere on the ice. Team USA is largely comprised of heavier, more defensively reliable options throughout the lineup, but in a tournament that can swing on a single goal, leaving an elite trigger man at home is a major risk indeed.

9.   Mark Scheifele, C, Canada

Mark Scheifele‘s omission from Team Canada stings. He’s a highly productive offensive driver, capable of generating off the rush and finishing in tight. Canada ultimately prioritized versatility and forechecking in its bottom six, but Scheifele’s ability to impact games with skill rather than speed alone would have translated well to international play. In his own words, “I don’t know what else [he] could have done.”

8.   Mattias Ekholm, D, Sweden

While Sweden’s blue line is stacked with mobile, puck-moving defenders, Mattias Ekholm‘s exclusion is surprising nonetheless. Ekholm has long been one of the NHL’s most reliable shutdown defencemen, thriving in heavy minutes against elite competition. His leadership, calm decision-making, and ability to close out games feel tailor-made for Olympic hockey, where mistakes are magnified and leads are precious.

7.   Sam Bennett, C, Canada

Sam Bennett‘s playoff resume alone made him a compelling candidate for Team Canada. He brings a rare combination of physical edge, defensive responsibility, and timely scoring, traits that often shine brightest in short tournaments. If his stellar Four Nations performance is any indication, Bennett’s ability to inject momentum with a single shift feels like something that Team Canada might sorely miss come February.

6.   Matthew Schaefer, D, Canada

Even at 18 years old, Matthew Schaefer has already played his way into the conversation as one of Canada’s best defencemen. He’s a dynamic skater who moves pucks effortlessly, but just as importantly, he’s shown a unique ability to defend, close gaps, and handle heavy minutes against top competition through the first half of his rookie NHL season. Even as a depth option, Schaefer would have given Canada a legitimate offensive lever from the backend if circumstances demanded it.

5.   Jason Robertson, LW, USA

As one of the most productive American forwards and offensive drivers in the NHL, Jason Robertson‘s omission from Team USA is among a head-scratching decision. The Americans leaned heavily into pace and checking roles, but by leaving out an elite scorer in a best-on-best tournament, Team USA might be missing the forest for the trees.

4.   Evan Bouchard, D, Canada

Evan Bouchard landed on the wrong side of Canada’s blue-line depth chart despite being one of the league’s most dangerous offensive defencemen. His ability to run a powerplay and move pucks efficiently through the neutral zone is elite, even if his defensive game remains a work in progress (to say the least). Canada’s backend is comprised of safer defensive options, but Bouchard’s skillset would have offered a unique source of offence.

3.   Seth Jarvis, LW/RW, Canada

Seth Jarvis checks nearly every box for international hockey: he skates well, forechecks relentlessly, plays responsibly away from the puck, and finishes chances consistently. Whether a result of his untimely injury or not, Jarvis fell just short for February, despite profiling as the exact type of forward who can break tight Olympic games wide open.

2.   Adam Fox, D, USA

Adam Fox missing Team USA initially raised eyebrows, but circumstances may reopen the door. Fox is easily one of the smartest defencemen in the world, with elite vision, stellar puck control, and unteachable defensive anticipation. His omission appeared tied to a preference for size and physicality on the backend, but with Seth Jones leaving the Winter Classic on Saturday with a potentially serious collarbone injury, Fox may soon find himself on a plane to Milan.       

1.   Connor Bedard, C, Canada

At the top of the list sits none other than Connor Bedard. Already one of the most dynamic offensive talents on the planet, Bedard is a bona fide gamebreaker who can change tournaments in an instant. Assuming returns from his shoulder injury in time for the Olympic break, leaving home a player of Bedsy’s calibre is a luxury only a nation as deep as Canada can afford. If injuries strike, bet your bottom dollar Bedard will get the call.

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That’s all for this week! Follow me on X @SmoothE27 for more fantasy hockey content and analysis, and feel free to DM me with any questions about your team.

Stay tuned for the next Top 10 on Monday, January 12. Have a great week everyone!