Hockey Canada announced on June 16 the primary six gamers who will characterize the Nice North on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. This upcoming Olympics would be the first time that the NHL has allowed its gamers to compete within the Winter Video games because the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
The primary six for Canada are Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Connor McDavid, Brayden Level, and Sam Reinhart.
Past these first six, who can we anticipate to fill out the beginning lineup for Workforce Canada? Right here’s a projected lineup of present NHLers who may very well be in there for Canada.
Heart – Connor McDavid, Oilers
McDavid is a no brainer for the middle spot on this Workforce Canada roster, particularly after his efficiency within the 4 Nations Match earlier in 2025.
He tied Sidney Crosby for essentially the most factors on Workforce Canada within the match, with 5, comprised of three objectives and two assists. McDavid scored a ‘Golden Purpose’ for Canada in extra time of the match finals.
This previous common season, McDavid scored 100 factors for the eighth time in his profession, with 26 objectives and 74 assists. He made it again to the Stanley Cup Finals however misplaced to the Florida Panthers for the second straight yr.
This shall be McDavid’s first Olympics, having solely competed for Workforce Canada within the World Juniors match and the World Cup.
He was named to the Olympic workforce for the 2022 Winter Olympics however didn’t play after the NHL determined to not ship any of its gamers because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Left Wing – Sidney Crosby, Penguins
Crosby, one of many biggest, if not the biggest, gamers within the historical past of Workforce Canada, is prone to function captain as soon as once more on the 2026 Olympics.
Within the 4 Nations match, Crosby slotted into Canada’s second line and performed left wing. Whereas the Canadians produce other left-shot forwards to play on the primary line, it looks like it will be an aesthetic transfer to begin the 37-year-old in his third Olympics.
In an iconic second for Canadian sports activities, Crosby scored the game-winning purpose in opposition to Workforce USA in extra time of the Gold Medal sport on the 2010 Winter Video games in Vancouver. Crosby served as captain for Canada within the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, successful the gold medal each instances.
He’s additionally one in all 30 gamers within the Triple Gold Membership, a participant who has gained an Olympic gold medal, a World Championship gold medal, and the Stanley Cup. He’s the one participant on the record to have served as captain for every trophy.
Crosby had 91 factors this previous common season, with 33 objectives and 58 assists.
Proper Wing – Brayden Level, Lightning
Level shall be taking part in in his first Olympics for Workforce Canada in 2026, having beforehand represented Canada within the World Juniors and the World Cup.
He was the first-line right-winger for Workforce Canada within the 4 Nations. He scored one purpose and had one help within the match and was a +2 on the ice.
Within the common season this yr, Level scored 42 objectives and 42 assists and was a +17 on the ice.
Left Defenseman – Cale Makar, Avalanche
Makar is likely one of the finest younger gamers within the NHL and represents a big a part of Workforce Canada’s future.
The reigning Norris Memorial Trophy winner will even be competing within the Olympics for the primary time in his profession. He had the chance to play within the 2018 video games whereas at UMass, however determined to deal with his faculty profession as an alternative.
He beforehand gained gold for Canada on the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship match. He additionally performed on Canada’s 4 Nations workforce, contributing one help throughout the match, and was a +1 on the ice.
In 80 video games performed throughout the common season, he recorded 92 factors, together with 30 objectives and 62 assists, and completed with a +28 ranking.
Proper Defenseman – Devon Toews, Avalanche
Towes earns the spot as Canada’s beginning proper defenseman primarily attributable to his closeness with Makar, with whom he shares a pairing on Colorado.
He began because the top-pairing alongside Makar within the 4 Nations match and was a -1 on the ice.
The 31-year-old has been within the NHL for seven seasons, beginning with the New York Islanders in 2018. He was traded to the Avalanche in 2020 and gained the Stanley Cup two years later.
In 76 video games performed this common season, he had 44 factors and had a +30 on the ice.
Goalie – Jordan Binnington, Blues
After turning into a shock hero within the 4 Nations match, Binnington will probably be the beginning goaltender for Workforce Canada within the 2026 Olympics.
In 4 video games performed throughout the match, Binnington had a 2.37 GAA and a .907 save share. He had an electrical efficiency in extra time of the match finals sport, stopping a number of strong makes an attempt from Workforce USA.
Though they’ve some younger up-and-comers, Canada’s crop of goaltenders is way weaker than America’s. However regardless of that, Binnington has turn into a strong go-to netminder for Canada for current tournaments, together with the IIHF World Championships in 2024 and 2025.
In 2024, he had a 2.81 GAA and a .885 save share by eight video games, and in 2025, he had a 1.25 GAA and a .944 save share by 4.
His NHL profession is finest remembered for main the St Louis Blues to an upset victory over the Boston Bruins within the 2019 Stanley Cup Ultimate.
