Team Canada snubs Oilers trio, only McDavid makes the cut

Oilers captain Connor McDavid will represent the Oilers at the 2026 Olympics. However, he will be doing it alone.

Hockey Canada just announced its 25-man roster for Milan and three other Oilers who attended September's orientation camp didn't make the final cut. Evan Bouchard, Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will all be watching from home when the tournament begins.

It's not an easy roster to crack. Canada's depth makes every decision difficult forcing Hockey Canada to leave legitimate NHL stars on the sidelines. But from an Oilers perspective, some of these omissions are hard to justify.

Evan Bouchard's case was strong

Evan Bouchard currently ranks fourth among NHL defensemen in scoring this season. His playoff credentials are even more impressive given he holds the second-highest points-per-game rate in postseason history for a blueliner.

When the stakes get higher, Bouchard elevates his game. That's been the pattern throughout his career during Edmonton's deep playoff runs. The Olympics represent the exact type of high-pressure environment where he has consistently thrived.

Hockey Canada selected eight defensemen in Drew Doughty, Thomas Harley, Cale Makar, Josh Morrissey, Colton Parayko, Travis Sanheim, Shea Theodore and Devon Toews. It's a group built on experience and two-way reliability.

But the knock on Bouchard centers on defensive consistency particularly during Edmonton's rough start when goaltending struggled. Those concerns are fair. But overlooking his offensive production and proven ability to perform in big moments feels like an opportunity missed in a short tournament where generating offense from the backend can be crucial.

Of the three Oilers left off the roster, Bouchard's omission is the toughest to understand.

Zach Hyman came close

Zach Hyman reportedly made it to the final rounds of consideration before getting cut. He has returned to point-per-game form this season with 21 points through 21 games.

Beyond the production, Hyman brings an element that's difficult to quantify in relentless forechecking, net-front presence and of course a willingness to do the dirty work that creates scoring chances.

His versatility made him an interesting option. Also, playing alongside McDavid would've provided built-in chemistry. Slotting him on a checking line would have added grit and energy but Hockey Canada apparently chose to address those needs elsewhere, selecting players like Tom Wilson and Anthony Cirelli to fill similar roles.

It is a defensible decision even if it doesn't sit well in Edmonton. But safe to say, Hyman's work ethic and playoff pedigree would've been valuable assets in a tournament setting for Team Canada.

Nugent-Hopkins was always a long shot

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins likely understood his chances from the start. Canada's center depth in McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, Brayden Point and Nick Suzuki doesn't leave much room for additional options.

But his season has been excellent. Through 31 games, Nugent-Hopkins has 32 points while maintaining his trademark reliability in all situations. He excels on the penalty kill and provides steady two-way play that makes good teams better.

Would he have dramatically changed Canada's chances? Probably not. But in a short tournament where depth gets tested and special teams matter, having a versatile center who handles details well could've proven valuable. Nugent-Hopkins fits that description perfectly.

Hockey Canada's final roster features elite talent at every position:

• Goaltenders: Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper, Logan Thompson

• Defensemen: Doughty, Harley, Makar, Morrissey, Parayko, Sanheim, Theodore, Toews

• Forwards: Macklin Celebrini, Anthony Cirelli, Crosby, Brandon Hagel, Bo Horvat, MacKinnon, Brad Marchand, Mitch Marner, McDavid, Point, Sam Reinhart, Mark Stone, Nick Suzuki, Wilson

The selections aren't wrong. Canada enters Milan as the favorite after dominating the Four Nations tournament. Every player chosen brings legitimate credentials and proven performance at the highest level.

But Canada's embarrassment of riches means deserving players inevitably get left behind. Bouchard's offensive ability, Hyman's intangibles and Nugent-Hopkins's reliability would all have fit within the roster structure. Other countries will arrive in Milan with more obvious weaknesses.

For the Oilers, there's a silver lining. While McDavid competes in Italy, Bouchard, Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins will get valuable mid-season rest. When the playoffs arrive and Edmonton makes another deep run, having fresh legs on key contributors could prove more beneficial than Olympic experience.

It doesn't make the omissions easier to accept but it provides perspective. McDavid represents Edmonton on the international stage. His teammates will be ready when the games that matter most begin in April.