Canada Eyes Celebrini, Bedard

Crunch time has arrived for Olympic hockey rosters. With the December 31 deadline looming, national teams are finalizing their lineups for Milano Cortina 2026. In Florida this week, Team Canada’s brass – led by GM Doug Armstrong and assistant Jim Nill – are locked in meetings, debating the final spots and building a squad that can reclaim gold after a 12-year drought.

Armstrong, pulling double duty as St. Louis Blues GM, opened up on the process, highlighting two young phenoms turning heads and the nuanced decisions ahead.

Celebrini and Bedard: The Kids Are More Than Alright

Macklin Celebrini (19, San Jose Sharks) and Connor Bedard (20, Chicago Blackhawks) have forced their way into the conversation. Entering Monday, Celebrini sits second in NHL scoring with 43 points (15 goals, 28 assists), while Bedard is fourth at 40 (18 goals, 22 assists). Their explosive starts have made ignoring the hype impossible.

“These are elite players drafted No. 1 for a reason,” Armstrong said. “We’ve given everyone the first few months to play their way on or off the radar – and this young group has absolutely done that. Very impressed, though not surprised.”

The duo’s maturity under pressure fits Canada’s blueprint: not just skill, but big-game poise. With veterans like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid already locked in, blending youth and experience could create a lethal mix.

Goaltending Puzzle: Depth Over Dominance

Canada’s netminding lacks the Brodeur/Price/Roy era certainty, but options abound. Logan Thompson’s breakout in Washington (13-6-2, 1.96 GAA, .919 SV%) leads the pack, while Jordan Binnington’s playoff pedigree – including a Cup-clinching Game 7 and 4 Nations heroics – keeps him firmly in play despite a rocky regular season.

“It’s about the full resume,” Armstrong noted. “How they perform under fire, team factors – we weigh it all. We have solid choices that won’t be underestimated.”

Building a Team, Not an All-Star Squad

The Florida meetings focus on synergy: special teams, face-offs, defensive reliability, and late-game killers. “We’re creating a functional team across situations,” Armstrong explained. “Not just top scorers – who wins board battles? Who protects a lead?”

Leadership stays in the loop lightly – courtesy calls, no overload. “They just need to focus on their clubs right now.”

Armstrong expects 70% of the roster locked post-meetings, with 6–8 spots debated into late December. “One hot streak won’t override three months of work,” he said. Replacement lists are already in prep.

Across the Pond: Sweden Eyes Wallstedt

Sweden’s Sam Hallam, fresh from North American scouting, likes his core of 14–15 locks. The wildcard? Minnesota’s Jesper Wallstedt (23), posting 8-1-2 with a 1.95 GAA, .936 SV%, and four shutouts. “He’s showing he’s ready,” Hallam said. Emerging forwards like NY Islanders’ Emil Heineman and Blues D-man Philip Broberg have also surged onto radars.

Stock Watch: Switzerland’s Schmid Shines

Vegas backup Akira Schmid (25) has seized the spotlight with Adin Hill sidelined, going 10-2-4 (2.35 GAA, .903 SV%) including a shutout against New Jersey. With Carter Hart’s activation easing the load, Schmid’s form gives Swiss coach Patrick Fischer real optimism.

As rosters crystallize, the McDavid-Matthews rivalry adds spice – their next clash Saturday in Toronto revives 4 Nations OT drama. Milano’s ice awaits a generational showdown.

Source: article by Mike Zeisberger on nhl.com, published December 8, 2025.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer