As Canada awaits the official unveiling of its men's Olympic hockey roster, one prominent sports columnist has laid out his personal blueprint for gold. Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun has constructed his ideal 25-man squad, proposing significant changes from the group that won the Nations Face-Off championship last winter.
A Youthful Spark and Veteran Core Up Front
Simmons's forward corps is built around an undeniable core of superstars. He identifies captain Sidney Crosby, alongside Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, as the foundation. The most notable addition is young phenom Macklin Celebrini, whose stellar second professional season has made him the third-leading scorer in the entire NHL.
"Right now... he is the third leading scorer in hockey," Simmons writes, emphasizing that Celebrini has outperformed every non-Canadian player in the league. The projected forward group also includes already-confirmed players Brayden Point and Sam Reinhart, plus likely selections Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, Brad Marchand, and Brandon Hagel.
Simmons's new additions to the forward lines are Tom Wilson, Nick Suzuki, and Wyatt Johnston. He also advocates for the return of Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett for his proven winning pedigree. Players from last year's team like Anthony Cirelli, Seth Jarvis, and Travis Konecny are left off his list, as are notable names Connor Bedard and Mark Scheifele.
Defensive Decisions and Goaltending Gambles
On defence, Simmons acknowledges Canada's relative weakness compared to its forward depth. He pairs Cale Makar with his Colorado teammate Devon Toews as the top unit. His blue line includes Josh Morrissey, Shea Theodore, Colton Parayko, Drew Doughty, and the versatile Travis Sanheim.
The final spot, he argues, should go to Jakob Chychrun of the Washington Capitals over other contenders. He excludes high-risk, high-reward option Evan Bouchard due to concerns over consistency in a tight tournament. He also believes it is too soon for teenage sensation Matthew Schaefer, who will be just 22 for the next Olympic cycle.
The greatest area of uncertainty, according to Simmons, is in goal. He expects Jordan Binnington to be named based on coach Jon Cooper's trust, despite Binnington winning the starting job over Vezina and Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck in the Nations Face-Off final. Simmons selects Logan Thompson of Washington as his second goalie, noting his strong play this season.
For the third goaltender spot—often a ceremonial role in a short tournament—Simmons opts for Scott Wedgewood of Colorado over other candidates like Samuel Montembeault, Adin Hill, or Darcy Kuemper.
The Final Roster Awaits
Simmons's complete roster features 14 forwards, 8 defencemen, and 3 goaltenders. He concludes by wondering how many of his 25 selections will match the official roster to be announced by general manager Doug Armstrong. The final decisions will reveal the strategy Canada believes will bring home Olympic gold, balancing explosive offence with defensive stability and reliable goaltending.
