Connor Bedard, a prominent young NHL star, was not selected for Team Canada's roster at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. The decision, made by head coach Jon Cooper, prioritized established NHL veterans like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, focusing on experience for the short international tournament. This choice generated discussion among fans, especially when Canada faced difficulties in games against Czechia and Finland. While the primary reason cited for his exclusion was Cooper's preference for veterans, one report suggested that an injury sustained at an inopportune time, which led to Bedard missing about a month of play, may have also impacted his chances for selection, despite his strong scoring pace prior to the injury. Looking ahead to the 2030 Winter Olympics in France, Bedard is widely anticipated to be a central figure for Team Canada. Currently recognized as one of the NHL's top young talents, it is projected that by his seventh NHL season, assuming he remains healthy, he will be among the world's elite players. He is already considered an All-Star caliber player and has been diligently working on enhancing his game, focusing on becoming faster, stronger, and more proficient in playing a 200-foot game. These improvements are expected to solidify his position for a spot on Team Canada's Olympic roster in the future, with the expectation that he will represent his country at the Games.