{"id":449345,"date":"2026-02-06T19:45:35","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T19:45:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/449345\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T19:45:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T19:45:35","slug":"canada-stressing-synergy-with-injury-replacements-gm-armstrong-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/449345\/","title":{"rendered":"Canada stressing synergy with injury replacements, GM Armstrong says"},"content":{"rendered":"

With Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> forwards Brayden Point<\/a> and Anthony Cirelli<\/a> unavailable to play due to injury, Hockey Canada\u2019s management group had two final roster decisions to make before arriving in Milan for the 2026 Olympics. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was obviously difficult because we wanted both Cirelli and Point to be on the team and felt very bad talking to those guys when they couldn\u2019t come,\u201d Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong told TSN reporter Ryan Rishaug shortly after arriving in Milan on Friday. \u201cAnd then we just sat with our group, came up with a list of players, discussed it with the coaches and tried to get the synergy that they wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Florida Panthers<\/a> centre Sam Bennett<\/a> and Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> winger Seth Jarvis<\/a> received last-minute tickets to Italy. Both players helped Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off last year. <\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, Jarvis and Bennett have a history with this group and so that\u2019s going to be an easy transition,\u201d Armstrong said. \u201cBut it wasn\u2019t based on history. It\u2019s based on, we believe they give us the best opportunity to have a competitive team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Edmonton Oilers<\/a> winger Zach Hyman<\/a>, Winnipeg Jets<\/a> centre Mark Scheifele<\/a> and Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> centre Connor Bedard<\/a> all earned consideration for the final spot.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know everybody has their opinions,\u201d said Armstrong, who is the general manager of the St. Louis Blues<\/a>. \u201cMy bias is to the guys I know in the West and the bias from the guys to the East is to the East. But you debate it, you talk it through and, again, you\u2019re trying to do what you think is right for the whole group. But it\u2019s a spirited debate. It\u2019s a positive debate because you\u2019re hearing other people\u2019s opinions and you\u2019re trying to make the best decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hockey Canada clearly valued the 4 Nations experience in building the Olympic team. In fact, Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> forward Travis Konecny<\/a> is the only member of last year\u2019s squad, who did not get a call to return. Did the tie go to the returning player in this process? <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a hard one,\u201d Armstrong said. \u201cThat\u2019s a yes and no answer. The 4 Nations, it wasn\u2019t four years ago or two years ago, it was one year ago. So to get selected for that team you were at that level then and not a lot really changes in a year. We do have some changes. [San Jose Sharks<\/a> sophomore sensation Macklin] Celebrini obviously is one. A young player that\u2019s really blossomed right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other new recruits are Montreal Canadiens<\/a> centre Nick Suzuki<\/a>, Washington Capitals<\/a> winger Tom Wilson<\/a>, New York Islanders<\/a> centre Bo Horvat<\/a>, Capitals goalie Logan Thompson<\/a> and Los Angeles Kings<\/a> goalie Darcy Kuemper<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you do look for synergy,\u201d Armstrong said. \u201cYou do look for consistency. We tried to pick this year\u2019s team based on the players we thought were playing the best and gave us the best opportunity. But, because that 4 Nations was so recent, it\u2019s not strange that all the countries have a lot of repeat players.\u201d<\/p>\n

Edmonton Oilers<\/a> captain Connor McDavid<\/a> is expected to be the first Canadian player to land in Milan this weekend as he looks to get a jumpstart on acclimatizing. Everyone will be in town by Sunday night when Canada holds its first practice. <\/p>\n

The plan is for the players to spend their first night in the Olympic Village where other athletes are housed, but that could change if there\u2019s any further reported cases of the Norovirus. Finland\u2019s women\u2019s team is dealing with an outbreak, which led to the postponement of their game against Canada on Thursday. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re obviously going to inform the players to do the things they did in COVID and wash their hands and things like that,\u201d Armstrong said. \u201cBut I call that the white noise. We can\u2019t control that, so we\u2019re not gonna really worry about it. They\u2019ll tell us if things change. Until that point, we\u2019re full steam ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Canada GM Gina Kingsbury says they were fine with the postponement option vs Finland: <\/p>\n

\u201cIn the spirit of the games and wanting to compete in these games & making sure that we’re doing so in a safe manner was our priority. So we felt it was a good option and responsible decision\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Claire Hanna (@clahanna) February 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

At the Village, a handful of players will have a single room, but most will be sharing with a roommate.<\/p>\n

HGTV-Olympic Village style courtesy of Sarah Nurse is what we ALL wanted to see\ud83d\ude42\u200d\u2195\ufe0f\ud83d\ude42\u200d\u2195\ufe0f\ud83d\ude42\u200d\u2195\ufe0f<\/p>\n

(via: sarahnurse\/tiktok) pic.twitter.com\/s80Fm31N8Y<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sports Girls Club (@girlsclubsports) February 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

After the first night, players will have the option of moving into a hotel, which is being arranged by the NHLPA. Hockey Canada is providing a space for players to gather together at the hotel, which is only 10 minutes from the Village. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe want them to enjoy the Olympic experience,\u201d Armstrong said. \u201cOne of the things that I find the most rewarding is when you are at the Olympics you\u2019re part of Team Canada. You\u2019re not just part of a hockey team. And to share experiences with other athletes, to watch the players bond and get to know people, see someone walking with a medal as you\u2019re still participating, and have those conversations, I think it\u2019s great. It\u2019s all part of the experience. <\/p>\n

\u201cBut I also think having the players comfortable and having an option to stay at the Village or at a hotel that [they\u2019re] a little more accustomed to at home is something that we want to provide.\u201d<\/p>\n

TSN toured Canada\u2019s team area at their hotel on Friday, which includes rooms for meetings and treatment. There is a poster on one wall featuring headshots of all the Canadian athletes competing in other sports in Milan.<\/p>\n

There is a map with the hometowns of all the Canadian men\u2019s hockey players and staff identified. The slogan, \u201cFrom Canada, for Canada,\u201d is on another poster. <\/p>\n

Just had a look at the Canadian mens off-site facilities. Very efficient setup complete with physio, meeting rooms, lounge area workout space and tons of team signage. Huge map of player home towns, pictures of all other Canadian athletes they may run into. Players can stay\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/dmgMfOPALI<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) February 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Hockey Canada is also creating a venue for all Canadian athletes and their families to gather near the hotel to relax and watch the Olympic coverage. It actually features an outdoor rink with Bauer supplying skates and helmets for those interested. There will be other fun activities as well. <\/p>\n

After so much build up, so much planning and so many tough decisions, it\u2019s almost time to drop the puck on the first Olympic tournament featuring NHL players since 2014. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very excited,\u201d Armstrong said. \u201cI was fortunate enough in 2018 [to be the general manager] and then the NHL decided not to go. And then in 2022, we actually had our final meeting in December. We thought we were gonna go and then that one got cancelled [for NHL players]. I was lucky enough to stay alive long enough to do this in 2022 (smile). So, I\u2019m really excited.\u201d<\/p>\n

In many ways, this is the dawn of a new era in best-on-best hockey. Only Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> captain Sidney Crosby<\/a> and Kings defenceman Drew Doughty<\/a> are back from the 2014 Canadian team that won gold in Sochi. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a whole new group of players,\u201d said Armstrong, who turned 61 in September. \u201cWhen I was able to work with [former Team Canada GM] Steve Yzerman<\/a>, watch him perform, we had a lot of the same players from \u201910 to \u201914 and even to \u201916 at the World Cup. This is a whole new group of players and to see them bond at the 4 Nations and see those bonds continue to grow … these friendships last forever. I think we\u2019re gonna continue to build off of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Canada plays its first game on Thursday against Czechia.<\/p>\n

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