Connor Bedard’s explosive rise has made him one of Canada’s brightest stars, but according to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, he may not be as secure on Team Canada’s Olympic radar as many assume. Team Canada will have to finalize its 25-man roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina in early January. The international tournament is scheduled to take place in February. In his Thursday column for The Athletic, LeBrun suggested that Washington Capitals power forward Tom Wilson could be pushing his way ahead of younger candidates, including Bedard. “It’s because what Wilson brings to the ice is a rare commodity in the modern game,” LeBrun wrote, calling Wilson a power forward. The 31-year-old is having a strong season with 11 goals and 20 points in 21 games, leading the Capitals in goals and tying for the team lead in points with Alex Ovechkin. His impact extends beyond scoring. He kills penalties, plays heavy minutes, and brings a rare physical edge that few modern forwards can match. Wilson is in the second year of a seven-year, 45. 5 million dollar contract that runs through the 2030-31 season. He could become one of the surprise inclusions on Canada’s Olympic roster, potentially at the expense of young superstars like Bedard. Bedard is off to another elite season with the Chicago Blackhawks. Despite his undeniable skill, LeBrun notes that Team Canada’s decision-making will involve more than pure offense. “It is the same reason Connor Bedard still isn’t a sure thing to make Team Canada, despite his offensive explosion.,” LeBrun wrote. “They just may not trust him enough defensively.” Connor Bedard has scored two hat-tricks this season Connor Bedard delivered a hat trick in Tuesday’s 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames. It marked his second three-goal outing of the 2025-26 campaign, with his first coming on October 28 versus the Ottawa Senators. Since those two standout performances, Bedard has been one of the league’s hottest players, producing 29 points in 20 games. His blend of scoring, creativity, and play-driving ability has made him one of the NHL’s top offensive threats, logging more than 21 minutes per night and excelling on the power play. Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong will have to shorten his list of players ahead of the December 31 deadline. While Bedard and Wilson are getting evaluated for now, LeBrun expects Wilson to be considered to represent the nation on the international stage.
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