{"id":483410,"date":"2026-02-08T15:21:41","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T20:21:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=483410"},"modified":"2026-02-08T15:23:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T20:23:12","slug":"nhl-and-olympics-rumours-presents-team-canadas-first-practice-together-line-combinations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/02\/08\/nhl-and-olympics-rumours-presents-team-canadas-first-practice-together-line-combinations\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL and Olympics Rumours Presents Team Canada&#8217;s First Practice Together Line Combinations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>NHL and Olympics Rumours aren&#8217;t totally on topic, but hey, when it comes to <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/31\/2026-team-canada-winter-olympic-roster-news-announcement\/\" target=\"_self\">Team Canada<\/a> and potential line combinations for the upcoming tournament, we think the skate fits. We got word from a couple of the big reporters, you know, the insiders that typically bring us rumours anyway. So, no more pulling out napkins and feverishly scribbling down the latest combos that come to your mind at 1 a.m. on a Friday. We now have actual line combinations, from the great minds of head coach Jon Cooper and the rest of the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/02\/08\/team-canada-men-hockey-news-names-leadership-group-captainand-assistants\/\" target=\"_self\">Team Canada<\/a> staff. This is our coverage of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Canada early look: Crosby between Stone &amp;  Marner: McDavid between Celebrini &amp; Wilson; MacKinnon between Marchand &amp; Reinhart <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/AEmwLVJ145\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/AEmwLVJ145<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FriedgeHNIC\/status\/2020577749174243592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 8, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>NHL and Olympics Rumours Gives Team Canada Forward Line Combinations<\/h2>\n<p><em>Rumour: It isn&#8217;t so much rumour, as reality in what Pierre LeBrun and Elliotte Friedman were watching from practice. The rumour part is more about what will become reality. What tricks might head coach Jon Cooper have up his sleeve before Thursday.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Analysis: A few possible surprises, and let&#8217;s wait no more time to discuss.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When it comes to best-on-best, everything is just a little different. The intensity is heightened, there&#8217;s more at stake, and you are surrounded by the best of the best. Cooper described the speed of the practices for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off tournament with Team Canada, as the fastest he&#8217;d ever seen, just like from the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, where he was on the coaching staff of Team North America. So, having the privilege to coach the likes of <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdavco01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor McDavid<\/a>, <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mackina01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nathan MacKinnon<\/a>, <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/parayco01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Colton Parayko<\/a>, and oh yeah, <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/matthau01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Auston Matthews<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"A Convo With PK Subban and Jon Cooper | 32 Thoughts\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DU4p8_OoFD4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Plus, in terms of the actual lines, you need chemistry. It is so much about where they play for their respective NHL teams.\u00a0The easy example is centres often jumping to the wing. But it is more about first liners in the NHL, being seen on the fourth line. We have seen the Olympics give rise to a few pretty wicked fourth lines, in particular for Canada.<\/p>\n<p>Now, as far as the practice goes, of course there are 14 forwards, so maybe not everything aligns fully.<\/p>\n<p>Connor McDavid had a couple of interesting pieces. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/celebma01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Macklin Celebrini<\/a> has really impressed. Not just extraordinary scoring ability, but his off-ice maturity in the sense of respecting the history of the sport and recognizing where he fits and that he is an ambassador for hockey. You can tell he is special.<\/p>\n<p>But his speed, creativity, and ability to play a 200-foot game would potentially be a fit with McDavid. Also, perhaps akin to the <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hymanza01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zach Hyman<\/a> factor, <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/w\/wilsoto01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tom Wilson<\/a> could play a similar role. Wilson is another who exerts maximum effort, we could see this combo working.<\/p>\n<p>Another player we are all concerned over how he does, <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/crosbsi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sidney Crosby<\/a>. He of, just being named captain fame. Sid was out there with another expert at one-on-one puck battles, <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/stonema01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mark Stone<\/a>. They were out there along with a pro at creating space, <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/marnemi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mitch Marner<\/a>. Marner is one of the best playmakers and smooth passers in the league, and has been for a few years, at least. That would be a very talented combination, one that could showcase Stone&#8217;s skills. As a line, it would be pretty complete, you would say. Negative weak links. They are so good, they make your strengths work against you somehow.<\/p>\n<p>It appears the Nova Scotia connection is alive and well, just not all of it. Crosby being the missing piece. Nathan MacKinnon and <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/marchbr03.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brad Marchand<\/a> were out with two different forwards. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/reinhsa01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sam Reinhart<\/a> and <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/suzukni01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nick Suzuki<\/a> each had a crack with the East Coast duo. In any case, this could indicate that MacKinnon and Marchand is a combo we will see, but who the third is, unknown&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Good leave &#8217;em guessing, coach.<\/p>\n<p>To round out the forwards, <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/horvabo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bo Horvat<\/a> was skating with Cooper&#8217;s Tampa Bay Lightning guy, <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hagelbr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brandon Hagel<\/a>, and Sam Reinhart.<\/p>\n<p>The extras were the last additions to the roster in <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/jarvise01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Seth Jarvis<\/a> and <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bennesa01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sam Bennett<\/a>. They were the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/02\/05\/team-canada-with-a-second-injury-replacement-at-forward\/\" target=\"_self\">injury replacements<\/a> for <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pointbr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brayden Point<\/a> and <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/cirelan01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Cirelli<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It is important that those fourth liners accomplish two things. One, the trio that they have the most chemsitry with and could have the potential to be difference makers. Lots of these games, the top six will cancel each other out. It often comes down to these unsung hero guys to step up, when it matters most. Also, they want to work on the penalty kill alignment, you know, if they could.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Cellebrini-McDavid-Wilson a line in practice right now for Team Canada \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 <br \/>MacKinnon between Marchand and Suzuki. <br \/>Crosby between Stone and Marner. <br \/>Horvat between Hagel and Reinhart. <br \/>Bennett\/Jarvis<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PierreVLeBrun\/status\/2020577563694039076?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 8, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Eric Bolte-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NHL and Olympics Rumours aren&#8217;t totally on topic, but hey, when it comes to Team Canada and potential line combinations for the upcoming tournament, we think the skate fits. We got word from a couple of the big reporters, you know, the insiders that typically bring us rumours anyway. So, no more pulling out napkins [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4222,"featured_media":462711,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2963,4547,304,34,4548,4321],"tags":[139,7710,140,591],"class_list":["post-483410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-olympics","category-hockey","category-international-hockey","category-news","category-nhl","category-rumours","tag-connor-mcdavid","tag-macklin-celebrini","tag-sidney-crosby","tag-team-canada"],"modified_by":"Levi Pike, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/483410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4222"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=483410"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/483410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":483417,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/483410\/revisions\/483417"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/462711"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=483410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=483410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=483410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}