Forwards (13)
Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders
Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins*
Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers
Alexis Lafreniere, New York Rangers
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche*
Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins*
Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers*
Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning*
Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers
Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets
Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights
Let’s be honest, this group is stacked, with Crosby, MacKinnon, McDavid, Marchand and Point leading the way. Canada’s forward group is going to be a headache for the other countries no matter who is in it. The one change from our last projection is that Konecny is in, and Steven Stamkos of the Nashville Predators is out. It’s hard to imagine a Canada national team without Stamkos, and he may make the actual team, but Van Diest and Ducharme did not have him on their rosters this time around. Perhaps the most interesting player to watch in the final week before the selections is Bedard, who has certainly struggled this season. The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft was on all three of our rosters when this process started and he stayed there through earlier this month, and though he makes the cut here, Ducharme did not have him on his roster, replacing him with Zach Hyman of the Oilers. Along with Stamkos, I had Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers on my roster, but Van Diest and Ducharme did not. I think Bennett provides the sandpaper Canada will need, especially against the likes of Matthew and Brady Tkachuk of the U.S., and I would love to see Bennett and Brad Marchand on the same team. Barzal, who has not played since Oct. 30 because of an upper-body injury, could return in early December, which is why he’s still on our roster. The other forward to get a vote — but not enough this time around — was Dylan Strome of the Washington Capitals (on Van Diest’s roster). — Price
