Striker (13)

Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders

Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins*

Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers

Alexis Lafreniere, New York Rangers

Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche*

Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins*

Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers*

Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning*

Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers

Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets

Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights

Let’s face it, this group is stacked, led by Crosby, MacKinnon, McDavid, Marchand and Point. Canada’s forward group will be a headache for other countries no matter who is in it. The only change from our last prediction is that Konecny ​​is in and Steven Stamkos of the Nashville Predators is out. It’s hard to imagine a Canadian national team without Stamkos, and he could make the actual team, but Van Diest and Ducharme didn’t have him on their rosters this time. Perhaps the most interesting player to watch in the final week before selection is Bedard, who has certainly struggled this season. The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft was on all three of our rosters when this process began, and he remained there earlier this month, and while he makes it here, Ducharme didn’t have him on his roster and replaced him with Zach Hyman from the Oilers. In addition to Stamkos, I had Sam Bennett from the Florida Panthers on my roster, but Van Diest and Ducharme did not. I think Bennett gives Canada the sandpaper it needs, especially against players like Matthew and Brady Tkachuk of the USA, and I would like to see Bennett and Brad Marchand on the same team. Barzal, who has not played since October 30th due to an upper body injury, could return in early December and is therefore still in our squad. The other forward who got a vote – but not enough this time – was Dylan Strome of the Washington Capitals (on Van Diest’s roster). — Price