The Chicago Blackhawks have a forward not named Connor Bedard who has an opportunity to make Team Canada's Olympic Team.
While we have high hopes that forward Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks will make Team Canada's 2026 Olympic roster, the decision-making remains secretive at the moment.
Rosters are to be submitted by December 31st.
The extended timeline has led to thriving speculation, and one Blackhawks player, who isn't named Connor Bedard, is a sleeper pick for Team Canada.
Tyler Bertuzzi has found his footing in Jeff Blashill's system in Chicago and is thriving since they worked together before in Detroit. This has been opportune for Bertuzzi, who is playing some of his best hockey this season.
The Sudbury, Ontario-born forward has played 33 games this season and scored 26 points (16-10).
One NHL writer, named Bill Price, believes that Bertuzzi is a sleeper option for Team Canada, given his shot quality in the league this season.
Here's his reasoning why Bertuzzi is an option for Team Canada in 2026:
«Yes, [Connor] Bedard is the leader of the Blackhawks, and if he's healthy, he should represent Canada. And while Bedard has gotten most of the attention, Bertuzzi has been just as effective for the Blackhawks, especially in the so-called dirty areas of the ice. Per NHL EDGE stats, Bertuzzi has scored 15 goals from high-danger areas, which is tied for the NHL lead with Jake Guentzel of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The high-danger area is the area within 29 feet of the center of the goal and bound on both sides by an imaginary line drawn from the face-off dot to two feet outside the goal post. In layman's terms, not only is he unafraid to go into the tight areas around the net; he also has a knack for scoring greasy goals. Canada needs a guy like that.»
Chicago Blackhawks forward Tyler Bertuzzi, a sleeper option for Team Canada
Tyler Bertuzzi is a forward who will fit in on Team Canada's roster, which we can speculate will be deep with the studs we witness on an NHL roster on a daily basis.
Sidney Crosby Nathan MacKinnon Cale Makar Connor McDavid Brayden Point Sam Reinhart
Of course, while Bertuzzi wouldn't reach the top six, we suspect he'd fit in on the bottom six of the loaded roster headed for Milan, Italy, in February.
We're still uncertain of Bedard's fate with Team Canada, as we gave the updated odds on a chance he makes the roster earlier in the month.
Only time will tell if he's another one who added to the grab-bag of NHL stars who will strive to dominate the international best-on-best tournament in 2026.
Blackhawks forward not named Connor Bedard has opportunity to make Team Canada's Olympic team
Should forward Tyler Bertuzzi of the Chicago Blackhawks, not named center Connor Bedard, be given an opportunity on Team Canada's Olympic hockey team in 2026?