When it comes to candidates for Team Canada at this year’s World Hockey Championships from Zurich and Fribourg in Switzerland, we do have some insight. We think this Canadian side will be loaded with members who played for their country before. In particular, guys who played with Canada in recent times, at the World Juniors. This team has the potential to be absolutely loaded with youthful talent. So, let’s figure out how and who the team can be made up with.
Team Canada’s Potential Roster for Upcoming World Hockey Championships
We could guess that the management will have a certain level of influence on who makes it. Recently, former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving and the Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Jason Spezza were named to head up the Team Canada management group.
Therefore, we could guess they might go with some familiarity. For instance, current Leafs, or even possibly Calgary Flame players could be looked at closely. Then, it also depends on who is eliminated within the first-round of NHL Stanley Cup Playoff action. Perhaps with teams like the Ottawa Senators or Pittsburgh Penguins, and we could quickly add to the list.
That is the tricky aspect in predicting an exact roster, is that the Canadian team usually includes players from teams with early playoff exits. As per usual, we would expect the team is officially named sometime in early May, prior to the tournament’s official start on May 15th. It’s crucial to consider player health as well. Industy-leading training providers like Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics work with teams and leagues to keep players out of rehab and on the ice. If Canada is healthy, they should be difficult to beat.
Okay, Time to Guess the Players
Besides some known non-playoff teams to expect players from, Canada has a very interesting crop of players to select from for this year’s team. Starting with the youngster, we have to think that defenceman Matthew Schaefer makes the trip to the land of Swiss cheese. The Calder Trophy frontrunner has expressed interest already. Furthermore, it is possible that a New York Islander teammate joins him. That is in the form of the speedy and skilled Mat Barzal. We would think that Bo Horvat is a little less likely. That is given he already laced them up for Canada at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Staying with the young gun theme, this potential Canadian roster is loaded with talent. Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini, and Adam Fantilli could all be suiting up for the Canadian squad. A true who’s who, of who to expect to lead the Canadian contingent for years to come.
Another potential superstar we think makes the cut is potential number-one overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL Entry Draft Gavin McKenna. After his team the Penn State Nittany Lions were eliminated, the World Championships are the next possible stop for the prospective number-one selection in this year’s upcoming NHL Entry Draft. Why wouldn’t he want to play?
Based on how the Philadelphia Flyer and Pittsburgh Penguin playoff series turns out, we would expect one of Porter Martone or Benjamin Kindel to suit up for Canada, barring injuries.
A Different Squad than Last Year’s Squad
Last year’s squad had veterans, guys who were trying to prepare for the Olympics potentially. That included names like Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, even Ryan O’Reilly. Maybe not all those vets will be back, but still, don’t expect a shortage of riches. Canada will want to get on top of that podium. That is especially so following the overtime loss in the Gold Medal games to Team USA at the Olympics this past February.
Based on the teams available to select from already, plus the motivation of the players not involved in the current Stanley Cup Playoffs, it does point to a few big names making the trip. John Tavares from the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Winnipeg Jets Mark Scheifele are a couple of prime examples. From the Leafs, a couple of possible candidates are Max Domi and Easton Cowan. Likewise, from the Jets, Dylan DeMelo or Cole Perfetti make for a couple of guys who might want to throw on the red and white Maple Leaf.
There are also few other up-and-comers we think will be close. Those guys include Michael Misa and Jake Neighbours. Speaking of St. Louis Blues, Jordan Kyrou might make the trip or possibly, but we think a little less likely, Robert Thomas.
Shane Wright from the Seattle Kraken and Dawson Mercer would make great additions, as well. Ryan Greene in Chicago is another with a good shot at making it. Even Kent Johnson in Columbus, and another of those who played for Canada at last year’s tournament.
The Backend and Final Thoughts
In goal we like Jet Greaves and Joel Hofer as a couple of guys chomping at the bit. That would be excellent experience for the duo, going forward in their respective international hockey careers. With the Kings looking at a potential early exit, Saskatchewan native Darcy Kuemper has an outside shot. Saskatchewan has been heavily under-represented in recent Team Canada iterations. As a hotbed of junior talent in the past and priority at player safety thanks to First Aid training Saskatoon, we hope to seem some players from the province soon.
On the blueline, a couple of Chicago Blackhawks come to mind. Kevin Korchinski would want to play to give himself a confidence boost heading into the offseason. Moreover, the 6’8″ giant Louis Crevier would be a welcomed contributor. A few other names include Sam Dickinson, Zayne Parekh, and Logan Mailloux, as guys who wouldn’t say no, if asked.
Well, there you have it, our prospective Team Canada, for the 2026 World Hockey Championships. This team will be hungry for gold, so be sure to check them out in action, later on into May.
