Team Canada makes roster cuts after 9 hour management meeting

Earlier today, NHL insiders Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston published an article for The Athletic that outlined their roster predictions for Team Canada's 2026 Olympic roster.

Here's a quick peek at the players who the two insiders consider to be in the mix.

Check it out:

Hockey Canada submitted a list of 90 potential players to the IOC earlier this year that the management team of Doug Armstrong, Julien Brisebois, Jim Nill, Don Sweeney and Kyle Dubas must choose from and today they reportedly made significant cuts to their list. LeBrun reports that after a 9 hour manager's meeting that the group has reduced their list from 90 players down to just 35-40 players.

Now, that's still a long way from a final roster, but at the very least this team is starting to take shape.

My personal opinion.... here are my roster locks:

Sidney Crosby - F
Connor McDavid - F
Nathan MacKinnon - F
Brad Marchand - F
Cale Makar - D
Drew Doughty - D
Jordan Binnington - G

That's it... every other spot should be earned through merit between now and the February Olympic break. You want to wear the maple leaf on your chest? Earn it.

I also wouldn't hesitate for a month to give top spots to young players like Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer. Let the boys play!