Prominent Toronto hockey commentators have unleashed scathing criticism against Team Canada's management group for their player selections ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The analysis focuses particularly on the omission of Edmonton Oilers stars Evan Bouchard and Zach Hyman, who have demonstrated exceptional chemistry with Connor McDavid during NHL play.
Questioning Key Omissions
NHL insider Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet delivered some of the most forceful commentary during his appearance on the Real Kyper and Bourne show. Kypreos expressed significant concerns about the composition of Team Canada's power play unit, specifically highlighting the absence of Zach Hyman's net-front presence.
"I look at that power play, and I would rather have revisited a better net front presence with Zach Hyman than three shooters," Kypreos stated. "Celebrini, McDavid and McKinnon all wanted to be on the perimeter, all wanted that open space to shoot the puck 20 feet, 30 feet, but I saw nobody stand in front of the net for a minute and a half, okay?"
Doubts About Veteran Selection
The commentary extended to questioning the inclusion of veteran defenseman Drew Doughty, who at 36 years old has experienced difficulties during his recent season with the Los Angeles Kings. Kypreos challenged the logic behind Doughty's selection as a potential replacement for injured puck-moving defensemen.
"Please tell me why someone would be in a meeting for Team Canada and say that if we lost Makar or Morrissey, Drew Doughty can come in and fill that?" Kypreos asked rhetorically. "And you don't feel like that he could? But they couldn't play him six minutes."
Missing Defensive Depth
Co-host Justin Bourne emphasized the significant impact of losing Josh Morrissey to injury, describing it as "a big mistake" that Team Canada management must now "wear." Both commentators agreed that younger, more mobile defensemen should have been prioritized over Doughty.
Kypreos revealed that before the tournament, he and others on the show had advocated for including either Matthew Schaefer or Evan Bouchard as depth defensemen. "You needed one of those two guys to step in for Morrissey being out," Kypreos asserted. "Drew Doughty was not it."
Supporting Analysis from The Athletic
Toronto writer James Mirtle echoed similar concerns in The Athletic, noting that while Team Canada attempted to assemble defensemen for different roles, they lacked adequate replacements for key puck-moving positions. Mirtle specifically pointed to the absence of skilled playmaking defenders like Schaefer or Bouchard.
"Canada ultimately dominated the chance counts, but in some cases, those opportunities were coming off the sticks of some depth D, who weren't likely going to create goals," Mirtle wrote. "In other words, Canada could have used another skilled playmaking defender like Matthew Schaefer or Bouchard as their seventh or eighth D."
The collective criticism from Toronto analysts highlights growing concerns about Team Canada's roster construction and strategic decision-making as they prepare for international competition. The commentary suggests that management may have prioritized experience over current form and team chemistry, potentially compromising Canada's chances for Olympic success.
