Bedard’s Lack of Big-Game Experience Could Keep Him Off Canada’s Olympic Roster
Blackhawks Game 19: Bertuzzi Update; Preview; Lineups; How To Watch vs. Flames
Blackhawks Beat Maple Leafs 3-2, But Lose Captain Nick Foligno For Four Weeks
Blackhawks Game 18: Rinzel Reset, Lineups, Notes, & How To Watch vs. Maple Leafs
Blackhawks Practice: Burakovsky Back, But Forward Group Still Banged Up
Jack’s Daily: Bertuzzi Absent Again; Surprise Goalie Sighting; Panthers Win Goal Frenzy
Jack’s Daily: Victory Monday; Lardis Injured For IceHogs; Another Pending UFA Signs
Jack’s Daily: Forward Injury Updates; Matthews Placed On IR; Hughes’ Fluke Injury
Jack’s Daily: Dillon’s Dumb Decision; West Advances To State; Kampf Terminated
Jack’s Daily: Bedard Extends Streak in Loss, Dillon Fined; Kantersov Adds To KHL Lead
Four Blackhawks Prospects Thriving Across Different Professional Leagues
Blackhawks Prospects: Oliver Moore’s Three-Point Game, Marek Vanacker’s Hat Trick
Four Blackhawks Prospects Set To Play For Top NCAA Teams This Season
Nick Lardis, Drew Commesso Among Latest Blackhawks Training Camp Cuts
Chicago Blackhawks Make Third Round of Training Camp Roster Cuts
Published
on
By
The debates and discussions around the 2026 Olympic rosters are heating up, and Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard finds himself right in the thick of it for Team Canada.
Less than two months remain until the final rosters must be announced, and Bedard’s stellar play early in the 2025-26 NHL season has placed him into the mix for the Canadian forward group.
Bedard, still only 20 years old, currently sits tied for fourth in the NHL with 26 points, along the likes of Mikko Rantanen, David Pastrnak, and William Nylander. He’s ranked inside the top 20 in both goals and assists, and his 13 primary helpers are tied with Nylander for the most in the league. Bedard’s growth and ascension have been nothing short of remarkable, and it’s also led the Blackhawks to their best start in nearly a decade.
But despite his incredible play, Bedard is still rumored to have an outside chance at being one of 14 forwards that Team Canada brings to Milan in February.
Last week, Chicago Hockey Now broke down a report that Bedard remains behind San Jose Sharks’ forward Macklin Celebrini in the battle for a Canadian roster spot.
Another insider, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, recently weighed in on Bedard, Celebrini, and New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer’s chances of making the team on his latest episode of 32 Thoughts. Friedman credited all three players for making a strong push, but he believes their lack of big-game experience gives Canada some concern.
“What’s the biggest game they’ve ever played? That’s what I think they’re weighing.” Friedman said. “I believe that Canada is nervous with these three guys [and] having them in a big game. Because they haven’t played at the senior level games like that.”
To be fair, with all three players still being under 21 years old, there hasn’t been much time for them to play in high-pressure NHL moments. Being selected first overall by a rebuilding franchise also doesn’t make qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs any easier.
Friedman and his cohost, Kyle Bukauskas did mention Bedard playing in two Gold Medal games at the World Junior Championship is better than nothing. Still, Canada seems to be favoring veteran players with experience at the highest level, which could leave Bedard watching from back home.
“It’s not Bedard’s fault he doesn’t have a lot of resume in the NHL. But I do think for Team Canada, that’s a thing.”
Bedard hasn’t been able to escape the questions about playing for Team Canada at the Winter Olympics. It’s brought up in seemingly every interview he does, and that’s likely not going to change before the final rosters are due.
Last week, Bedard joined NHLNow on NHL Network and was asked what playing for his country would mean to him.
"If that opportunity were to come, that would be so special and a dream."
Connor Bedard would love to represent Canada at the #MilanoCortina #Olympics, but his focus right now is on getting better every day with the @NHLBlackhawks. https://t.co/Wo178cLT8E pic.twitter.com/tG1yLyqzF6
For more Blackhawks news, visit Chicago Hockey Now and like our Facebook Page.
Follow us on X:
@chihockeynow, @JackBushman2
Blackhawks Game 19: Bertuzzi Update; Preview; Lineups; How To Watch vs. Flames
Blackhawks Game 19: Bertuzzi Update; Preview; Lineups; How To Watch vs. Flames
Jack’s Daily: Bertuzzi Absent Again; Surprise Goalie Sighting; Panthers Win Goal Frenzy
Jack’s Daily: Victory Monday; Lardis Injured For IceHogs; Another Pending UFA Signs
Enter your email address to get all of our posts sent directly to your inbox.
Copyright © 2024 National Hockey Now