Insider Reveals The Why Behind Sam Bennett’s Team Canada Snub

The absence of Sam Bennett from Team Canada’s roster has quickly become one of the most debated decisions surrounding the lineup, and insiders are now shedding light on how it happened. The explanation sits alright with some, but not with others, even if the ‘why’ is logical.

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Elliotte Friedman was among the first to express surprise, calling Bennett’s omission the biggest shock on the roster. According to Friedman, the decision ultimately came down to head coach Jon Cooper, who was given significant influence over the final selections. Cooper reportedly preferred Bo Horvat, Nick Suzuki, and Anthony Cirelli over Bennett, despite Bennett’s proven playoff pedigree.

Others wondered if the animosity between Tampa and Florida had anything to do with the snub, but that seems unlikely, given that both Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart are on the team.

Still, the choice to exclude Bennett has raised eyebrows. Bennett is coming off a Conn Smythe Trophy win and scored 15 goals in last year’s playoffs, establishing himself as one of the most effective big-game performers in the NHL. TSN’s Jeff O’Neill called the decision a mistake and “somewhat shocking,” and labeled Bennett a player he believed was a lock.

Sportsnet’s Sam McKee went even further, saying, “Sam Bennett has been one of the best players in the highest stakes games for two straight years, and he got left off the roster for Cooper’s boy Cirelli.”

Not About Sam Bennett, Says Team Canada GM Doug Armstrong

Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong acknowledged how difficult the decision was, saying Bennett handled the news “like a true gentleman and a pro.” Armstrong explained that roster discussions as early as December 2 left limited flexibility, with positional needs, faceoff ability, and penalty-killing roles factoring heavily into the final call.

Cooper felt he had options to take guys who served in more specialized roles. Horvat could win faceoffs and play the wing. Cirelli is a penalty-killing machine.

That this decision was made in early December may have played a factor as well. There’s also speculation that Bennett’s slow start to the season may have hurt his chances, even though his production surged later. Ultimately, Armstrong emphasized that no one “played their way off” the team — it was simply a matter of choosing among elite options.

Still, for many observers, leaving off a proven playoff performer like Bennett remains the most glaring omission — and one that will continue to fuel debate if Canada sees a few of their choices struggle, or worse yet, fails to win a gold medal.

Next: Why Connor Bedard Isn’t “Good Enough” for Team Canada