The recent reveal of Olympic men’s hockey rosters for the 2026 Milano Cortina Games has sparked endless debate among fans. Sweden, Finland, Canada, and the U.S. all unveiled their best-on-best squads, leaving a trail of notable snubs in their wake. Arda Ocal of ESPN took this a step further, imagining a best-of-seven series between the “B-teams”—the top players left off both Canada and U.S. rosters.
This thought experiment pits 12 forwards, six defensemen, and two goalies from each side against one another. Factors like talent, grit, size, and even “nice guy, tries hard” vibes come into play. With the Olympics looming, it’s a fun way to highlight overlooked stars who could shine in another context.
Team Canada B-team roster
Canada’s snub squad boasts a potent mix of scoring punch, physicality, and playoff pedigree. Forwards include Drake Batherson, Connor Bedard, Sam Bennett, Morgan Geekie, Dylan Guenther, Zach Hyman, Seth Jarvis, Wyatt Johnston, Travis Konecny, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mark Scheifele, and Carter Verhaeghe. This group blends young phenoms like Bedard with battle-tested vets who’ve chased Stanley Cups.
On defense, Evan Bouchard, Jakob Chychrun, Noah Dobson, Aaron Ekblad, Matthew Schaefer, and MacKenzie Weegar provide a balance of offense and shutdown ability. Ekblad and Weegar bring championship experience, while prospects like Schaefer hint at Canada’s future.
Goaltending falls to Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood, who have formed a strong tandem this season. As Ocal notes, “Goaltending, like with the squad going to the Olympics, will always be the big question, but the Avs duo has been great this season.” Canada emphasizes grit—Sam Bennett would clash hard with U.S. counterpart Jacob Trouba.
This roster screams depth and agitation, with multiple Cup Final trips under their belts. For more on Canada’s Olympic selections overall, check out this breakdown of Team Canada’s 2026 roster grading.
High-pressure performers dominate, making this B-team a gritty contender. Bedard and Schaefer represent the next generation, even as Macklin Celebrini headlines the A-team.
Team USA B-team roster
The U.S. counters with explosive offense led by veterans and rising stars. Forwards feature Cole Caufield, Logan Cooley, Alex DeBrincat, Cutter Gauthier, Patrick Kane, Matthew Knies, Chris Kreider, Shane Pinto, Jason Robertson, Nick Schmaltz, Alex Tuch, and Trevor Zegras. Kane’s presence adds shootout savvy and special teams edge.
Defensemen John Carlson, Adam Fox, Lane Hutson, Jackson LaCombe, K’Andre Miller, and Jacob Trouba mix puck-moving flair with toughness. Fox and Carlson anchor the blue line, while Hutson could erupt in a breakout series.
In net, Thatcher Demko and Spencer Knight offer elite saves despite their teams’ struggles. Ocal highlights, “Demko and Knight are terrific goalies performing well on struggling teams.”
Youth fuels this group, steered by Kane’s wisdom. The D-core thrives offensively, ready to transition swiftly. Trouba ensures physical battles.
The Stars and Stripes lean on skill and speed, perfect for countering Canada’s size.
Key strengths and matchups
Canada edges in size and experience, with players like Hyman and Bennett excelling in board battles. Their forwards combine for rings and Finals runs, pressuring U.S. defenders.
The U.S. boasts superior speed and sniping, with Caufield, DeBrincat, and Robertson lighting lamps. Kane’s IQ elevates power plays, while Hutson-Fox pairings dominate transitions.
Goaltending tilts U.S., as Demko’s consistency outshines Canada’s tandem. Trouba vs. Bennett promises fireworks—“circling each other like sharks seeing blood,” per Ocal.
Defensively, Ekblad-Weegar stonewall, but Fox-Carlson generate more. Offensively, Bedard-Johnston challenge Zegras-Cooley lines.
Special teams could decide: U.S. creativity vs. Canada’s grit. Injuries ignored, this series goes deep.
The U.S.-Canada rivalry runs deep, as seen in events like the 2025 USA-Canada Rivalry Series in women’s hockey.
Series prediction
Ocal predicts USA in seven: Canada takes Games 1-2, U.S. blows out Game 3. Canada leads 3-1 after double OT in Game 4. U.S. rebounds with comfy Game 5, OT Game 6 (Robertson off Hutson pass), and 3-1 Game 7 (DeBrincat empty-netter).
This mirrors classic border battles—early Canadian dominance, American resilience. Tight checks define the finale.
For the full analysis, see Ocal’s piece on ESPN.
Also check roster grades at ESPN’s snubs breakdown.
Broader NHL context
Beyond hypotheticals, Buffalo Sabres heat up after a 10-game streak snapped. Tage Thompson’s Olympic nod boosts vibes; they face Vancouver, Rangers, Ducks this week.
Hart race pits Nathan MacKinnon (74 points) vs. Connor McDavid (72). Macklin Celebrini third at 63, youngest ever named to Canada.
Winter Classic antics: Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk danced with Cup in Miami Vice gear—superstition alert?
Capitals shine community-wise, pairing players with youth hockey kids.
This B-team dream series underscores snubs’ talent, fueling Olympic hype. As rosters settle, watch these players prove their worth nightly—potentially shaping 2026 narratives.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.