John Tavares surprisingly included in projected Team Canada roster alongside former Maple Leaf
Photo credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
In Bleacher Report's Team Canada projected roster for the Olympics, it looks like John Tavares has earned a spot next to one very familiar face.
The Winter Olympics are going to have NHL representation again after a hiatus during the 2022 Winter Games. It's expected to be a hard-fought affair with teams like Canada, the United States and Sweden all vying for international superiority.
Team Canada is expected to be fighting for a gold medal yet again, and after their quarterfinal elimination to Sweden; they are looking for some redemption this year.
Obviously we have some locks to make the team like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Drew Doughty, and Jordan Binnington.
John Tavares makes Team Canada in newest roster projection
One name who appeared in a recent projected roster is John Tavares, a surprise add given that the majority of previous projections had him not making the team, and it's who he is lined up beside that brings a lot of intrigue.
Bleacher Report's Team Canada projected roster not only included Tavares but also had him centering a line with former teammate Mitch Marner.
Tavares also has probably played his way onto this roster, averaging nearly a point per game for the Toronto Maple Leafs. This would also be an opportunity to reunite him with former Toronto teammate Marner.
Also added to the line would be Sam Reinhart; a very intriguing line given the history with the Panthers and Leafs as well as Marner being involved.
This season, Tavares has 30 points in 31 games (13 goals, 17 assists) and while he has cooled off a bit, is still putting in the work every night even at age-35.
While it shouldn't be a surprise to Maple Leafs fans considering how good he's been this year, his history representing Canada also plays a huge factor in him making the team in 2026.
John Tavares' international dominance for Canada
There's no doubt that Tavares deserves a chance to play for Canada yet again considering the fact that when he's played, they're pretty much guaranteed to win.
He has Olympic gold, World Cup gold, a Spengler Cup winner, and is a two-time gold medalist as part of the World Juniors squad.
Plus he's been dominant offensively, with 40 points in 41 games (19 goals, 21 assists; all stats part of Olympics, World Cup, and World Championship of Hockey)
You're adding a player who has proven international success on top of being able to still contribute at a high level, with players he is intimately familiar with and can help succeed.
He may not have been selected for the 4 Nations last year, but John Tavares deserves to be given a shot at Olympic gold this year because he's definitely earned it.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 16 | 1646 ANSWERS John Tavares surprisingly included in projected Team Canada roster alongside former Maple Leaf Does John Tavares deserve to be on Team Canada for the Olympics? | ||
| Yes | 1015 | 61.7 % |
| No | 631 | 38.3 % |
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