Connor Bedard Still in Olympic Mix Despite 4 Nations Snub
In a surprising twist, Team Canada general manager Don Sweeney has confirmed that Chicago Blackhawks phenom Connor Bedard remains a strong candidate for the 2026 Winter Olympics roster, even after being left off the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off lineup this week. The decision has sparked plenty of debate among fans and analysts, especially given Bedard’s meteoric rise in the hockey world.
Bedard, now 19, was nothing short of sensational last season, earning the NHL rookie of the year title. His international performances have been equally jaw-dropping, including a staggering 23 points in just seven games at the 2023 World Juniors and five goals in 10 games during the 2024 IIHF World Championships. These achievements had many expecting him to be a lock for the 4 Nations Face-Off, a new four-team exhibition tournament replacing the NHL All-Star Game this season. The tournament was seen as a potential stepping stone for players eyeing the 2026 Olympic roster in Italy.
However, Bedard’s sophomore NHL season has been a different story. Through 26 games, he’s managed just five goals and 19 points, a noticeable dip from his rookie campaign, where he tallied 22 goals in 68 games. The struggles have raised questions about whether the young star is ready to compete at the highest international level just yet.
Team Canada’s Perspective
Don Sweeney, who also serves as the general manager of the Boston Bruins, addressed the decision, emphasizing that Bedard is still very much part of Canada’s future plans. “It’s his second time around the league. There’s some challenges associated with that. He’s working through that, in a situation where he gets all the attention possible from the best players that he’s playing against each and every night,” Sweeney explained. “So I think he’s living and breathing it right now, and it’s only going to help him to continue to build his resume, and we’re excited about that.”
Sweeney, who will assist GM Doug Armstrong in assembling the Canadian men’s hockey team for the Olympics, reiterated that Bedard is part of “the next wave of great players” for Canada. Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper echoed this sentiment, adding that the 4 Nations Face-Off roster was constructed specifically to win this tournament, not as a preview of the 2026 Olympic lineup.
“We built this team to win the 4 Nations. The Olympics is still a year away. Are there players that are going to develop and take strides in that time? There’s no question,” said Cooper, who also coaches the Tampa Bay Lightning. “Especially some of these younger players where your development continues. That’s just going to make decisions tougher.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
Both Sweeney and Cooper emphasized that the selection process for the Olympics involves a “wider lens,” allowing them to evaluate players like Bedard who may not be ready for the 4 Nations tournament but could emerge as key contributors by 2026. “We wanted to identify players that are going to project out down the road. Players that might not necessarily be ready to push somebody out of a job that we felt had earned it at this point,” Sweeney said. “We’re going to have to continue to have those [players] stack up on top of each other in the next year and a half and make a really hard decision on several emerging players. We’re incredibly excited about them, but we couldn’t lose sight of the fact that we were building a team for February.”
Not the First Time Canada Has Waited
For those worried about Bedard’s omission, history offers some perspective. Canada has previously left young stars off its national team rosters, even when they were performing at elite levels. Sidney Crosby, for example, was left off the 2006 Olympic team at age 18, despite producing at a point-per-game pace as a rookie. Similarly, Steven Stamkos didn’t make the 2010 Olympic team, even after scoring 51 goals as a 19-year-old in his second NHL season.
Meanwhile, Across the Border…
Adding fuel to the fire, the player who finished second to Bedard in last season’s rookie race, 22-year-old Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber, did make the cut for Team USA’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster. The comparison has not gone unnoticed, with fans questioning whether Canada is being overly cautious with Bedard.
What’s Next for Bedard?
While the 4 Nations snub may sting, it’s clear that Bedard’s Olympic dreams are far from over. With over a year to go before the 2026 Winter Games, the young star has plenty of time to refine his game and prove he belongs on the world’s biggest stage. For now, all eyes will be on how he responds to the challenges of his second NHL season and whether he can recapture the magic that made him one of hockey’s most exciting prospects.
Originally Written by: Greg Wyshynski
