Canada names first 6 players for 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will be one of the most highly anticipated international events in recent hockey history with players from the National Hockey League finally set to return to the Olympic stage after far too long of a hiatus.

On Monday, countries from around the world began to announce the first 6 members of their Olympic rosters and this time it was Canada's turn to do so. As you might have expected, Canada's first 6 players include a star-studded cast of some of the NHL's very best players at all positions.

First let's take a look at the 6 names that were announced in no particular order:

Sidney Crosby - Pittsburgh Penguins
Connor McDavid - Edmonton Oilers
Brayden Point - Tampa Bay Lightning
Sam Reinhart - Florida Panthers
Nathan MacKinnon - Colorado Avalanche
Cale Makar - Colorado Avalanche

First and foremost the benefit of having the natural chemistry with a duo of teammates like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar from the Colorado Avalanche is a benefit that cannot be understated. Both men are among the very best players in the world at their respective positions and the fact that they play with one another all year round will be a huge benefit to the Canadian squad.

Combine that with the fact that Team Canada also boasts Oilers captain Connor McDavid and Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, not only viewed as two of the greatest players in the sport today but as two of the greatest players to ever play the game, and you've got the makings of an extremely elite squad here.

Of course this is only the beginning and there will plenty of debate about which names should be added to this roster before everything is all said and done.