Top 5 Team Canada roster snubs for 4 Nations Face-Off feat. Connor Bedard

The official Team Canada roster was unveiled for the 4 Nations Face-Off on Wednesday. The powerhouse Canadian squad is led by Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon, Edmonton Oilers' future Hall of Famer Connor McDavid, along with Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner and Avalanche stud defenseman Cale Makar.

However, some notable names did not make the cut in this version of the Team Canada roster. So, let’s take a closer look at the biggest snubs from Canada’s 4 Nations roster.

Top 5 Team Canada roster snubs for 4 Nations Face-Off

#5 John Tavares

If Brad Marchand is on Team Canada, so should John Tavares. Tavares has an extensive international track record while leading the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs as captain for the bulk of his career.

After a relatively down season last year, Tavares looks to be in top form. His leadership and versatility could have made Tavares a top choice for a third-line center behind MacKinnon and McDavid. Perhaps the Canadian side was looking to go with a more youthful roster.

#4 Zach Hyman

Hyman is coming off a 50-goal season from last year. His sense for the puck while playing the role of a classic power forward is something that cannot be overlooked. Plus, Hyman’s chemistry with Connor McDavid is another key reason why Hyman’s exclusion is surprising.

Hyman is currently nursing an injury, which may have played a role in keeping him off the roster. However, if injuries occur leading up to the 4 Nations, there’s a good chance Hyman’s name will be added to the list.

#3 Evan Bouchard

Team Canada’s blue line is loaded with talent. However, Evan Bouchard is one player Canada should not have overlooked. His combination of speed and skill makes him a threat on the offensive side of the puck. Perhaps current Canadian management was turned off by the slow start Bouchard has had to this season. But make no mistake, Bouchard should be on track for the Olympic 2026 squad.

#2 Noah Dobson

Like Bouchard, Noah Dobson is a premier, puck-moving blue liner. He’s fast, strong, and can log heavy minutes. But like Bouchard, Dobson has been off to a slow start. Perhaps that’s something Team Canada management considered when making their final roster decisions. Dobson’s name should be penciled in for 2026 when NHLers are expected to play in the Olympics.

#1 Connor Bedard

Connor Bedard’s exclusion might have just been the opposite of John Tavares’. At 19, Bedard is still growing into the NHL. As such, the Canadian squad may have felt that Bedard’s lack of experience was too much to be offset by his skill set.

However, Connor Bedard should play a key role in the 2026 Olympic squad when he’ll roughly be 22 years old. By then, Bedard could well have established himself as one of the top forwards in the game.