This February, there was a lot of talk about who would make the Milan Olympic team. We are seeing players stepping up, whether they are locks or fringe players for their respective clubs. The two players on the Canadian team are MacLean Celebrini and Connor Bedard. Both sides are seeking attention.
Both teams are expected to finish at the bottom of the table. However, these players are stepping up. Celebrini participated in the 2025 World Championships, playing alongside Sidney Crosby, and scored 8 points (4 goals, 4 assists) in 10 games for Team Canada. Bedard turned down an invitation last year, but scored eight points (five goals, three assists) in 10 games for Team Canada in 2024.
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While both were invited to Team Canada’s orientation camp in August, only one will be selected. Both players are getting ready for the start of the new season. Celebrini has 16 points (6 goals and 10 assists) in 10 games, while Bedard has 12 points (6 goals and 6 assists) in 10 games. But it feels like Celebrini is more of a lock than Bedard.
Speaking on TSN Radio in Montreal, Jim Biringer of NHLRumors.com, Full Press Hockey and RG Media was asked who has a better chance of making Team Canada for the Olympics, given their respective teams’ circumstances: Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks or Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks.
nitrogenTranscribed by HLRumors.com
Host: “Jim just wanted to talk about what’s going on on the Canadian side. McClain Celebrini and Connor Bedard have been invited to Canada’s Olympic training camp. Look, I think Bedard is unfortunately a product of his environment. There’s been a real loss of talent on that team. It’s hard for him to perform well on some nights. It’s hard for him to put up the numbers that we’re all looking forward to.”
But on the other hand, McLean Celebrini is not a very good hockey team. But it looks like this team has an easier time running the offense than the Blackhawks. Celebrini impressed last year. Do you think he can do anything in the first 40-45 games of the season to make the team? “
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Jim Berlinger: Yeah, I think, I think so. I mean, look at what he did last year in San Jose, it was really remarkable. I think if he hadn’t been injured, I think Calder’s game would have been closer than it turned out to be. I think he’s probably one of the favorites to win the title early this year, if not the favorite. What he did at Boston College was extraordinary for his age. Hobey Baker.
Now, look, the most important thing to him is that he plays with Team Canada at Worlds, right? He played with Sidney Crosby. They saw what they could do. Now you’ve received an invitation. That’s big, right? I think this is a big deal. Now, San Jose is going to struggle this year, but they have a better team and they’re on that track. I’ve heard that; they’ve done it, and they’re on track with Montreal, right?
They will appear in the next few years. But here’s the thing, there’s talent around him that Bedard doesn’t have, right? William Eklund, Tyler Toffoli. They have players who can get him the puck. He can help with the puck. So it all depends on how they view Celebrini if he impresses again.
Will he become an integral part of Canada’s offense? Because he is, then he will be on the list. But if they view him as the 13th guy, I don’t know if that’s a benefit to Macklin Celebrini waiting. I think if he wants to make the team, he needs to play.
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In my opinion, I think the team you saw at the Four Nations was probably a similar team, just slightly tweaked. I think he’ll have a real chance, but I’m not sure he’ll make the team.
Likewise, Team Canada has a specific team-building blueprint. They don’t always have young children with them. Just look at how they regretted not bringing in Crosby in 2006. You can’t ignore what these players have done on the international stage. But if there’s one player with an edge, it’s Celebrini. However, Bedard showed that whatever Celebrini could do, he could do it too.
It will be interesting to see what Doug Armstrong and the rest of Team Canada’s front office do with their roster in February.
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