There is a lot of talk about who will make their respective Olympic teams in Milan in February. We see players going the extra mile, whether they are locked down or on the border of their respective clubs. Two of those players for Team Canada are Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard. Both inform them.
Both belong to teams expected to finish at the bottom of the standings. However, these players are taking action. Celebrini played at the 2025 World Championships, scoring 8 points in 10 games (4 goals, four assists) for Canada, alongside Sidney Crosby. Bedard passed on the invite this past year, but scored 8 points (5 goals, three assists) in 10 games for Canada in 2024.
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Although both were invited to Team Canada’s orientation camp in August, only one will be selected. And both players are about to start the season. Celebrini has 16 points (six goals and 10 assists) in 10 games, while Bedard has 12 points (six goals and six assists) in 10 games. But it feels like Celebrini is more of a lock than Bedard.
During a performance op TSN Radio in MontrealJim Biringer of NHLRumors.com, Full Press Hockey and RG Media were asked who had the better chance to make Team Canada at the Olympics given their situations with their respective teams, Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks or Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks.
NHLRumors.com Transcripts
Host: “Jim just wanted to touch on the Canadian aspect of it. Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard were invited to Canada’s Olympic camp. Look, I think Bedard is unfortunately a product of his environment. There’s a real drain of talent on that squad. It’s hard for him to look good some nights. It’s hard for him to put up the numbers that we all expect.”
But on the other hand, Macklin Celebrini isn’t on a very good hockey team either. But it seems like the offense is a little easier for that team than it is for the Blackhawks. Celebrini really impressed last year. Do you think he can do something in the first 40-45 games of the season to get into that team?”
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Jim Biringer: Yeah, I think so, I think so. I mean, look what he did with San Jose last year is truly remarkable. I think if he doesn’t get injured, I think Calder is racing a lot closer than what it turned out to be. I think at the beginning of the year he was probably one of the favorites, if not the favorite, to win the title. What he did at BU was remarkable for his age. Hobey Baker.
And look, the most important thing for him is that he played in the World Cup with Canada, right? He played with Sidney Crosby. They saw what they could do. Now you get the invitation. That’s huge, right? I think that’s a big thing. And now San Jose is going to struggle this year, but they have a better team and they are on that trajectory. I’ve heard about it; They did that, and they’re on that trajectory in Montreal, right?
They will come along for the next few years. But the thing is, he has talent around him, something Bedard doesn’t have, right? William Eklund, Tyler Toffoli. They have guys who can get him the puck. He can facilitate the puck. So if he impresses again, it will all come down to how they view Celebrini.
Will he be an integral part of the offense for Team Canada? Since that is the case, he will be on the roster. But if they see him as a thirteenth man, I’m not sure Macklin Celebrini would benefit from just waiting. I think he has to play if he wants to make the team.
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And in my opinion, I think the side you saw at Four Nations could be a similar side, minus a few tweaks here and there. I think he will have a real chance, but I’m not sure if he will make the team.
Again, Team Canada has a specific blueprint for building a team. They don’t always bring the young children. Just look at how much they regretted not taking Crosby in 2006. You can’t ignore what these players have done on the international stage. But if there’s one player who has the edge, it’s Celebrini. However, Bedard shows that whatever Celebrini can do, he can do it.
It will be interesting to see what Doug Armstrong and the rest of Team Canada management do with their selection in February.
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