Who will make Canada’s men’s Olympic hockey team roster?

In exactly one week, the country will finally find out which players will represent Canada’s men’s Olympic hockey team at the upcoming Games in February.

It will be the first time NHLers return to the Olympics in 12 years after last representing their country in 2014.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!

Six players have already been named to the roster: Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makkar, Connor McDavid, Brayden Point and West Vancouver’s Sam Reinhart.

Sportsnet 650 Host Josh Elliott-Wolfe tells 1130 NewsRadio there are a couple of young B.C. players making the conversation interesting.

“Namely, North Vancouver’s Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard. Matthew Schaefer, last year’s first overall pick, is kind of making the waves now as well, but it might be too early because he’s only 18. But I would say most of the attention is on Celebrini and Bedard. The issue is that Bedard has an injury. He’s week-to-week, so we don’t know if he’s going to end up making the team. But Celebrini is making a really good case. He’s third in the league for points right now and, in my opinion, should be on there.”

Fans have speculated that some young players won’t make the cut this time around because they’ll have many more chances to play at the Olympics, over others who may soon age out.

Elliott-Wolfe doesn’t agree.

“I’ve been of the mind that having the experience at the Olympics is more important than waiting for the next one. We saw in 2006, they didn’t take Sidney Crosby, and they didn’t do well in 2006, so I think there’s a benefit to having some youthful energy on the team. And also if you’re planning on these guys being on your team in 2030 and 2034, I think the experience of playing in an Olympic tournament can go a long way to helping those tournaments as well.”

When it comes to grit, one name that’s being floated is Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals, who has 34 points in 36 games so far this season (17g, 17a) and a +16 rating.

“The physicality Wilson brings would help. He’s not going to fight, obviously. There are different rules, so he’s much less likely to fight at the Olympics. I think based on merit, he deserves to be there and having the physical attributes as well can go a long way, even if you’re not fighting.”

Forward Brandon Hagel is another name Elliott-Wolfe thinks may be on the cusp.

“The ties for Hagel — Anthony Cirelli is another name I’d put there — they both have the ties to Team Canada Head Coach Jon Cooper, who’s also Tampa Bay’s head coach. The team Cirelli and Hagel play for. A lot of times the head coach is like, ‘I’m comfortable with these guys, and I want them to be on my team.’ That could be their in.”

Vegas Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner is expected to be on the roster.

“I can see the reasoning for why [Marner] would or wouldn’t be on the team, but for me, he’s still been able to put up so many points over the last few years. He had a decent Four Nations too, and so for that reason, I don’t see why he wouldn’t be on the team other than he has the reputation of not rising up to the big moments, but based on actual talent and skill level, he should be there.”

Elliott-Wolfe says it’s likely the roster will mirror the line-up seen at the Four Nations Face-Off Tournament back in February, but he’s dubious about Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett’s chances.

“He might not be there, even though he scored a pretty big goal at the Four Nations too. I’d be surprised if it’s not super similar, but I think there will be a few differences in the roster and you can bring more players to the Olympics, so there should be more options for the team.”

He says he’s concerned with Canada’s netminding, with all three goalies from the Four Nations roster struggling so far, this regular season.

“I’d be surprised if Jordan Binnington didn’t make the team, but I don’t think he should be the starter. Logan Thompson — he wasn’t on the Four Nations roster, mainly because there’s some drama related to his former coach in Vegas — Bruce Cassidy and Pete DeBoer — and there are questions about whether they want him on the team. But based on his play this season, Thompson is undeniably the best goalie Canada has. If he isn’t on the team, it would be a huge detriment to their roster, and he is easily the guy who should be the starter.”

He thinks Mackenzie Blackwood could be a third-string if not Adin Hill, but cautions that some of the drama around Thompson is linked to Hill.

The pressure on Team Canada to bring home a gold medal has mounted against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions with the U.S.

“I think it’s going to be a two-horse race between Canada and the U.S. Sweden, Finland might make a case and the other countries like Czechia could be competitive, but outside of a major upset, I don’t see any big changes. I think it’s going to come down to whichever team between Canada, and the U.S. shows up for the tournament. I’d be surprised if it isn’t those two teams duelling for the gold medal.”

Elliott-Wolfe is warning Canadians that Team USA doesn’t have many weaknesses, if any.

“Their defence — and we’ve seen it in Vancouver — it’s going to have Quinn Hughes this time. They didn’t have him at the Four Nations. Zach Werenski has been playing really well. Connor Hellebuyck is the best goalie in the NHL, and he’s going to be their starter. Their forward group is stacked, although some of them are having off years — Auston Matthews isn’t playing as well as he usually does, so if he’s a key piece of them, maybe he’s a bit weaker this year. But I would say both rosters are stacked. If I were to grade them, I’d maybe give the edge to the U.S., mainly because of who they have in net.”

Team Canada’s first preliminary game is against Czechia on Feb. 12.