Welcome to another edition of NHL rumours. This edition will focus on the still red-hot discussion regarding Team Canada’s Olympic roster. In particular, the focus will be on one of the most notable snubs on the Canadian roster.
So, let’s jump right into this ongoing discussion.
NHL rumours: Bennett Off Team Canada Due to a Coach’s Decision
Rumour: Insider Elliotte Friedman discussed his disbelief of Sam Bennett not being named to Team Canada’s Olympic roster. Friedman hinted at the main reason for the snub. In particular, the notable insider hinted at Team Canada coach Jon Cooper preferring other players ahead of Bennett.
Analysis: NHL rumours have begun swirling around the Florida Panthers’ center and the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy. The chatter has focused on his exclusion from Team Canada’s Olympic roster being a coach’s decision.
After all, Sam Bennett is famous for being a big player in big games. Last season, Bennett raised some eyebrows at his naming for the 4 Nations Face-Off. But Bennett put any NHL rumours to bed with his strong play. While he didn’t light up the scoresheet, he did play a key physical role and provided plenty of gritty shifts.
That’s something that Team Canada will certainly need at the Olympics. But as Friedman pointed out, there’s a possible answer to the NHL rumours surrounding Bennett’s snub:
“I was just shocked at no Bennett. I just… two Stanley Cups, scored a goal in the championship game last year, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, 15 goals in the playoffs.”
But Friedman’s reasoning went beyond Bennett’s impressive resume. He added:
“It sounds like they went to 19 of the 22 skaters, and they basically said, ‘Jon Cooper, you know, who do you want?’”
Nevertheless, NHL rumours aside, here’s the most enlightening portion:
“I think the coach should get a couple of picks. And it sounds like it came down to basically, three of Bennett, Horvat, Cirelli, and Suzuki. And they went with the other three.”
“I was just shocked at no Bennett.”@FriedgeHNIC on Sam Bennett’s omission from the Olympic team. pic.twitter.com/bGiDvHaPXK
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 31, 2025
Horvat Injury Could Open the Door for Bennett
Team Canada GM Doug Armstrong added plenty of fuel to the NHL rumours fire by stating that there was a stand-by list for possible replacements. It makes sense that such a list would exist. But then again, the speculation has run rampant regarding which players could be on said list.
That list will now become more important than ever. On Thursday afternoon, Bo Horvat sustained an injury to his left leg during the third period of the New York Islanders-Utah Mammoth tilt at UBS Arena.
While there is yet to be any precise information on Horvat’s injury, that situation could open the door for Bennett. If Horvat can’t go, then the NHL rumours regarding the stand-by list could come to fruition.
Bennett, should he still be willing to participate, could get the nod in place of Horvat. The Islanders will likely provide an update on Horvat within the next day or two. At the moment, things don’t look too kosher for Horvat. He missed some time in December due to a groin injury.
As such, there’s the possibility that the Islanders’ forward could miss significant time, jeopardizing his Olympic participation.
Main Photo: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports