Two Oilers speculated to make Team Canada Olympic roster per Insider

While Connor McDavid has never had his spot on Team Canada's Olympic roster in question, two of his Edmonton Oilers linemates are quietly making their case to join him in Italy.

According to sources close to Hockey Canada's selection process, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, both considered long shots earlier this season, have turned up as legitimate contenders for roster spots ahead of the December 31 deadline. 

If the trio is able to make it onto Team Canada's roster, they could be joining other dark horse Oilers candidates at the 2026 Olympic games.

McDavid could find his Oilers linemates on Team Canada

International tournaments rarely allow enough time to manufacture chemistry. Lines are often assembled quickly and games are decided by execution. That reality has insiders reconsidering the value of pre-existing NHL combinations especially ones that are driving results against elite competition.

Since Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman returned from injury, Edmonton's top six has gone on an extended run where the McDavid line has controlled play territorially and produced consistently. This has not gone unnoticed.

NHL analyst Terry Jones has reported that Hockey Canada has been closely monitoring Nugent-Hopkins' recent play since returning from injury, particularly how quickly he re-established his defensive detail and puck support.

He suggested that come New Year’s Eve, Hopkins might even find out he is going to Italy.

“Really interested in watching Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in these two games vs Calgary. Team Canada hopefuls getting injuries and if he has a couple more three-point nights he might find out on New Year's Eve that he’s going to the Olympics,” Jones wrote.

It is actually not even the first time insiders and analysts have floated the idea that Canada could seriously consider bringing a familiar trio to Italy rather than forcing McDavid to adjust to new linemates in a short high-pressure tournament.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ Olympic value

On the surface, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins does not really come up as a typical Olympic headliner. Through 29 games this season, he has 11 goals and 20 assists with a minus-seven rating, numbers that place him firmly in the "good, not dominant" category.

But it seems the Olympic argument for Nugent-Hopkins has little to do with being a top-line scorer.

His value lies in his versatility and reliability. Nugent-Hopkins can play center or wing, handle heavy defensive-zone usage, kill penalties and take key faceoffs. In tight international games, those traits become so often the premium assets. 

In a best-on-best tournament, Nugent-Hopkins wuld not necessarily need to drive offense. His ceiling is as an elite complementary piece potentially anchoring a fourth line or serving as a matchup center who allows more offensive players to be sheltered.

His long history of playing alongside elite talent also matters. Nugent-Hopkins has shown over his career that he can adapt to star players without disrupting pace or structure which is agaim a critical trait on a roster full of high-end skill.

Zach Hyman's game fits Olympic hockey needs

Zach Hyman's case is more visually obvious but no less important. Olympic games are typically played in smaller offensive windows with less time and space than regular NHL contests. The goals that win gold are rarely pretty and they are often scored from inside the crease.

Hyman has made a career in Edmonton by thriving in those exact conditions. His ability to arrive at the net at the right time and finish second and third chances consistently separates him from many other complementary forwards.

He does not need the puck on his stick to influence a shift and his north-south style translates cleanly to international play.

Also, since returning from injury, Hyman has been a key component in stabilizing Edmonton's top line. His net-front presence opens space for McDavid and his finishing touch ensures that dominant shifts turn into goals. In a tournament where one greasy goal can swing an elimination game, that skill set easily becomes increasingly attractive.

The case for bringing the McDavid line

Oilers analyst David Staples had previously floated the idea that Team Canada could consider bringing the entire McDavid line to the Olympics. It is an unconventional approach but not a fully illogical one. He he had suggested that such chemistry and familiarity reduces risk and risk management is often the difference between gold and disappointment at international events.

For Canada, the decision whether Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman’s combined impact with McDavid outweighs the upside of inserting separate stars into unfamiliar roles.

The McDavid-Nugent-Hopkins-Hyman combination already plays at a pace and efficiency level comparable to international competition and it has proven capable of dominating possession while limiting defensive breakdowns.

A difficult decision for Hockey Canada

Neither Nugent-Hopkins nor Hyman is guaranteed a spot. The competition is brutal and Canada will inevitably leave several highly talented players at home. But their strong seasons, timely resurgence after injury and seamless chemistry with the world's best player have complicated what once seemed like straightforward roster decisions.

As December 31 approaches, Hockey Canada faces a familiar but uncomfortable dilemma. Do they prioritize raw talent and reputation or do they lean into chemistry, role specialization and perhaps the small details that define Olympic hockey? For Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman, the answer to that question may be the difference between watching from home and skating in Italy wearing red and white.