Upon the conclusion of intensive discussions scheduled for Tuesday by the administrative body of the Canadian men’s national hockey squad, a substantial segment, possibly up to 80%, of the lineup destined for Italy next February should be definitively determined.
In June, six athletes were officially announced as members of the men’s Olympic team: Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Connor McDavid, Brayden Point, and Sam Reinhart.
Since that announcement, the management team has been systematically narrowing down a more extensive list of potential candidates to represent Canada at the upcoming Olympic Games, marking the return of NHL players since 2014.
This administrative group, under the guidance of general manager Doug Armstrong, is slated to convene starting this Sunday. Canada is scheduled to commence its Olympic men’s hockey campaign with a match against the Czech Republic on February 12.
“We are not in the process of assembling an all-star selection,” Armstrong stated during a discussion with CBC Sports this past Wednesday.
“Our objective is to construct a well-rounded team, ensuring that all facets of the game are adequately addressed. This encompasses five-on-five scenarios, penalty-killing units, and power-play situations. It’s essential to cover all bases, providing [head coach] Jon Cooper with the necessary resources to effectively manage any game scenario.”
In recent developments, the announcement concerning the new Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, which will feature a smaller ice surface than initially anticipated, has introduced an unexpected challenge.
According to Canadian assistant coach Peter DeBoer’s comments on Sportsnet’s Real Kyper and Bourne radio program earlier in the week, the ice dimensions could be reduced by three to four feet compared to the standard NHL rink size.
Armstrong commented on Wednesday, “This adjustment won’t alter our selection strategy, but it does present an interesting scenario. We might need to revisit historical footage of venues like the Aud and the old Boston Gardens to adapt our gameplay to a more confined arena.”
The general manager noted that while they are aware of the overall dimensions of the 16,000-seat arena, specifics regarding the reduction in size in particular zones of the rink remain unclear.
For several months, the Milano Cortina Olympics organizing committee has maintained that there is no alternative plan in place should the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena—the venue for both men’s and women’s hockey competitions—not be completed on schedule.
Construction of the privately funded arena commenced with delays, and it is not expected to be available for trial runs until January.
“Our team is on-site daily, providing continuous updates, indicating active involvement,” Andrea Francisi, the chief games operations officer for Milano Cortina, informed The Associated Press last week. “The entities responsible for the facility’s construction have significantly accelerated their efforts.”
‘We allowed players to find us’
Armstrong expressed confidence in the arena’s timely completion, drawing parallels to construction setbacks experienced prior to the 2014 Olympics held in Sochi, Russia.
His approach involves minimizing distractions and concentrating on elements within his control.
The management group initiated their evaluation process with an extensive roster of athletes this past summer, which included participants from a Hockey Canada Olympic orientation camp held in Calgary.
The initial month of the season was dedicated to assessing all potential candidates.
Following a series of evaluations during meetings in November, the group ceased actively searching for new candidates.
“We shifted our focus to allowing players to distinguish themselves,” Armstrong explained.
Among the athletes who have significantly strengthened their case for inclusion on the roster are young forwards Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks) and Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks).
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Despite neither securing a spot on the Canadian team that triumphed at the 4 Nations Face-Off amid considerable public expectation, both have delivered impactful performances early this season. As of Wednesday night, Celebrini and Bedard held the second and third positions in NHL points, respectively.
Other notable emerging talents include Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston and Matthew Schaefer, a rookie defenseman selected first overall by the New York Islanders earlier in the year.
“These athletes are performing to the best of their abilities,” Armstrong remarked. “They are displaying exceptional skill, leading their respective teams, and adapting to various in-game situations, thereby complicating our selection process, which is precisely what we aim for.”
Celebrini garnered attention at the world championship this past spring, securing an opportunity to play alongside Crosby.
Armstrong has observed parallels between the seasoned captain and the emerging talent from North Vancouver, noting Crosby’s early ability to integrate seamlessly within groups of more experienced players.
“He possesses considerable humility, yet he is ready to compete once the game begins,” Armstrong stated regarding Celebrini. “He shows respect in the locker room but competes fiercely on the ice, demonstrating his desire to challenge established players for a position.”
This fall, Celebrini became the latest to join Crosby and Wayne Gretzky as the only teenage players to achieve 30 points within the first 20 games of an NHL season.
A ‘fluid’ situation in net
Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, and Sam Montembeault were the only goaltenders invited to Hockey Canada’s Olympic orientation camp in August.
However, numerous other goaltenders were also being considered, a detail Armstrong conveyed to some who did not receive an invitation to Calgary.
Thus far this season, Scott Wedgewood of Colorado and Logan Thompson of Washington have emerged as the leading Canadian goaltenders in the NHL.
Armstrong characterized the competition for a goaltending position on Team Canada as “fluid.”
“We’ve witnessed players such as Wedgewood, who have recently emerged as strong contenders. Despite a solid NHL career, he is currently performing at an unprecedented level for an extended period with Colorado, the top team in the NHL,” the general manager commented.
During the upcoming meetings, the management group will individually assess each athlete as they start assembling the team. They will explore various player combinations and positioning, analyzing how each player can enhance the overall team dynamics.
Upon finalizing a significant portion of the team on Tuesday, the focus will shift to addressing any remaining gaps in the roster and accommodating potential injuries during the condensed NHL season.
While skill is a key consideration, and Armstrong believes this selection boasts one of the deepest forward lineups Canada has seen in recent years, physical size and proficiency in high-pressure areas near the net are equally crucial.
The Crosby effect
Amidst the uncertainties of the selection process, Crosby remains a definite inclusion, given his demonstrated capabilities on the Olympic stage.
“He is undoubtedly a monumental figure for Canada,” Armstrong affirmed.
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Last month, during an interview with CBC Olympics host Ariel Helwani, Crosby expressed his aspirations for the 2026 Olympics not to be his final appearance.
“If this turns out to be my last, I hope to fully capitalize on this incredible opportunity,” the Pittsburgh Penguins captain stated. “However, the future is uncertain, and I aim to continue playing for as long as possible.”
Armstrong indicated that he would not dismiss this possibility.
“His preparation is unparalleled, and his attention to detail is extraordinary. His dedication to work, demonstrated through his practice routines, is exceptional. He is truly one of the greatest players ever to have played the game,” he concluded.
