Trade Market Could Impact Team Canada’s Olympic Roster

As the Olympic spotlight shines a bit brighter in the coming weeks and months, an interesting trend is emerging — the team may be being shaped by the NHL trade market. As Olympic teams start to consider their respective rosters, trade chatter might be a factor in who ultimately gets chosen and who doesn’t.

According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston, Team Canada’s management group — led by GM Doug Armstrong — met this week to narrow its Olympic roster pool from 90 players to about 35. While the focus is on the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, several names on Canada’s “bubble list” may see their odds of being chosen change as trade chatter builds ahead of the NHL deadline.

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Suzuki and Celebrini are Giving Their Teams Reasons To be Buyers

Among the forwards making the biggest pushes to make Team Canada are Nick Suzuki and Macklin Celebrini.

Suzuki has been dominant for Montreal, playing his way into legitimate Olympic consideration. The Canadiens certainly aren’t shopping him, but he’s been key in conversations with the Canadiens’ management about past trades and roster decisions. In many ways, he’s been the voice of the locker room. Expect him to play that role again this season as the Habs look for a second-line center and pieces to fill holes. How does Team Canada view a player like Suzuki if the Canadiens value his input that much? You can bet that matters.

Meanwhile, Celebrini’s rapid ascent in San Jose is turning heads. The 18-year-old is already playing like a franchise cornerstone. If the Sharks continue to see Celebrini and other stars changing the standings and giving the Sharks a chance to compete (they are only a point out of a wild card spot), San Jose may not be guaranteed sellers. The fact that Celebrini is boosting the Sharks’ timeline to compete is a big deal. That adds value in the eyes of Team Canada’s execs.

Goalie Picture For Team Canada Impacted By Trades

LeBrun also notes that Canada’s goaltending depth is “wide open.” A move here or there this season could actually play a larger role in which netminder makes the team than expected.

Jordan Binnington, Sam Montembeault, Logan Thompson, and Darcy Kuemper headline the candidates to make the team. What about a longer shot like Stuart Skinner, who said he’d like to get himself on Team Canada’s radar? Right now, he hasn’t played well enough to warrant serious consideration. If the Oilers wind up trading him for an upgrade, or he finds his game and the struggling Oilers go on an insane run, how does that change his standing?

What happens in St. Louis if Armstrong, who is running Team Canada, shakes up his own NHL roster? Does that impact the likelihood that Binnington becomes the de facto starter?

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