Team Canada’s ideal replacement for Brayden Point draws controversy

With less than two weeks until Team Canada boards the plane to Milan for the 2026 Winter Games, Brayden Point’s Olympic status remains uncertain. The Tampa Bay Lightning forward has missed most of January due to a lower-body injury, and while head coach Jon Cooper emphasized that Point’s season “was not over,” his recovery is officially on a week-to-week basis. So far, Point has missed eight games, and Canada opens its tournament against Czechia on Feb. 12.

Point is a high-scoring, two-way centre, and replacing him on a top line, especially alongside Connor McDavid, would be no small task. Jason Gregor believes the ideal candidate to step in would be McDavid’s own linemate on the Edmonton Oilers: Zach Hyman.

Team Canada reportedly planned to have Point alongside McDavid at the Olympics. If he’s forced to sit out, Hyman could be the natural choice to slide in seamlessly. His two-way game, familiarity with McDavid, and ability to perform in high-pressure situations make him the perfect replacement.

Though it would come with its fair share of controversy, other strong candidates have emerged, including Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Scheifele, Florida Panthers’ Sam Bennett (who lost his spot on the 4-Nations roster) and Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard. But Hyman has the edge, thanks to his proven chemistry with McDavid and the ability to step into the top line seamlessly on the Olympic stage.

As Canada monitors Point’s recovery in the coming days, Hyman’s name is already rising in conversations as a potential Olympic linemate for McDavid. For fans hoping to see the Canadian top line dominate on the world stage, there are many different opinions out there on who should get the call to be the ideal replacement.

In the meantime, Team Canada might have to look at replacement options in net. Goalie Logan Thompson is considered day to day with an upper-body injury and is on the shelf two weeks before the Milan Games…