Bedard's Olympic Dreams Hang in the Balance as Canada Weighs Roster

«What I can tell you is that, internally, Bedard's season opened some eyes,» Johnston explained on Insider Trading. «He definitely has some backers among the people making this decision, but I'm not sure at this point thatit's going to be enough to see him named to the initial roster of players on Dec. 31. Of course, injuries or a couple of other things could crop up in the meantime, but as of right now, it doesn't appear to the case.

«I'd say what's important is that Bedard works his way back from his shoulder injury. That January window is still vital to players not on the roster. Canada is going to identify some reserves in case of injury prior to the February start of this event, and Bedard certainly is very high in the mix in that conversation.»

«Team Canada's management group had another call slated for Thursday night, where they would go over some of these agonizing decisions that they still have to make.

«Up front, these are the four forwards that I believe are highest among the list of guys that were not at the 4 Nations Face-Off last year: Macklin Celebrini, Tom Wilson, Bo Horvat and Nick Suzuki. I think Celebrini and Wilson are as close to locks as there are, and then it's a question of: Can you take Horvat or Suzuki, or is there room for both? I'm not sure. I think there will be two to three changes, at most, up front from the 4 Nations.

«The other debate is this: if you are taking Tom Wilson, is there room on the roster for Wilson and Sam Bennett, and Brad Marchand, who all bring their own level of spice to the roster? As someone said to me today: Is it one of those three? Two of those three? Or do we take all three?»