There’s lots of discuss who will make their respective Olympic groups in Milan this February. We’re seeing gamers step up, whether or not they’re locks or on the borderline for his or her respective golf equipment. Two of those players for Team Canada are Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard. Each are placing them on discover.
Each are on groups anticipated to complete close to the underside of the standings. Nevertheless, these gamers are stepping up. Celebrini performed on the World Championships in 2025, scoring 8 factors in 10 video games (4 objectives, 4 assists) for Canada, alongside Sidney Crosby. Bedard handed on the invite this previous 12 months, however in 2024 put up 8 factors (5 objectives, three assists) in 10 video games for Canada.
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Whereas each have been invited to Crew Canada’s orientation camp again in August, just one will likely be chosen. And each gamers are stepping as much as start the season. Celebrini has 16 factors (six objectives and 10 assists) in 10 video games, whereas Bedard has 12 factors (six objectives and 6 assists) in 10 video games. But it surely seems like Celebrini is extra of a lock than Bedard is.
Throughout an look on TSN Radio in Montreal, Jim Biringer of NHLRumors.com, Full Press Hockey, and RG Media was requested about who had the higher likelihood of creating Crew Canada on the Olympics, given their conditions with their respective groups, Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks or Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Host: “Jim simply needed to go on the Canadian facet of it. Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard have been invited to Canada’s Olympic camp. Look, I believe Bedard, sadly, is a product of his surroundings. There’s actually been a drain of expertise on that squad. It’s exhausting for him to look good on some nights. It’s exhausting for him to amass the numbers that we’re all anticipating.
However on the flip facet, Macklin Celebrini shouldn’t be on an excellent hockey crew both. But it surely looks as if offense comes somewhat simpler to that squad than it does for the Blackhawks. Celebrini actually impressed final 12 months. Do you suppose that there’s something he can do within the first 40-45 video games of the season to get himself on that squad?”
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Jim Biringer: Yeah, I believe, I believe so. I imply, look what he did with San Jose final 12 months, is admittedly outstanding. I believe if he doesn’t get injured, I believe that Calder race quite a bit nearer than what it turned out to be. I believe he was most likely one of many favorites, if not the favourite, initially of the 12 months to win it. What he did at BU was outstanding for his age. Hobey Baker.
And now, look, the massive factor for him is that he performed with Canada on the Worlds, proper? He performed with Sidney Crosby. They noticed what they may do. Now you get the invite. That’s big, proper? I believe that’s an enormous factor. And now, San Jose goes to wrestle this 12 months, however they’ve a greater crew, and so they’re on that trajectory. I heard about it; they’ve, and so they’re on that Montreal trajectory, proper?
They’re going to be coming alongside within the subsequent couple of years. However right here’s the factor, he has expertise round him, one thing Bedard doesn’t, proper? William Eklund, Tyler Toffoli. They’ve guys that may get him the puck. He can facilitate the puck. So if he impresses once more, all of it comes right down to how they view Celebrini.
Is he going to be an integral a part of the offense for Crew Canada? As a result of he’s, then he’s going to be on the roster. But when they view him as like a thirteenth man, I don’t know if that advantages Macklin Celebrini to simply wait round. I believe he must be enjoying if he’s going to make the crew.
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And for my part, I believe the squad that you simply noticed at 4 Nations might be an identical squad, minus a few tweaks right here and there. I believe he’s going to have an actual shot at it, however I’m unsure he will get on the crew.
Once more, Crew Canada has a selected blueprint for constructing a crew. They don’t at all times deliver the younger children. Simply take a look at how they regretted not bringing Crosby in 2006. You may’t ignore what these gamers have performed on the Worldwide stage. But when there may be one participant who has the sting, it’s Celebrini. Nevertheless, Bedard is exhibiting that no matter Celebrini can do, he can do too.
It is going to be attention-grabbing to see what Doug Armstrong and the rest of Team Canada’s management do with their roster in February.
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