Blackhawks Connor Bedard playing his way onto Team Canada roster

Connor Bedard had one heck of a game for the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night against the Calgary Flames. The 22-year-old had a goal and three assists at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

That’s a great game any way you cut it. But it’s even better as the Blackhawks scored four times, and Bedard was involved in all four goals.

Bedard now has 10 points over his last five games and 22 points in 15 contests this season. Those numbers indicate that Bedard has arrived in the NHL. But the numbers are also sending a broader message: Connor Bedard deserves serious consideration for Team Canada’s roster at the 2026 Olympics in Milano-Cortina.

Now, let’s pause for a moment. Bedard WILL be on the Team Canada roster in 2030. Barring injury and/or his game falling off a cliff, Bedard will be there. He’ll take over the role Connor McDavid has now, while McDavid takes Sidney Crosby’s current spot.

That may seem like a bold prediction. But the fact is that Bedard really seems to have come into his own in his third season. In 15 games this year, Bedard has dispelled talk of a relatively underwhelming sophomore season.

That discussion is now moot. As long as Bedard keeps up his current play, he’ll force his way onto Team Canada’s roster. The Canadian management team stated back in late August that no spots were guaranteed. Players had until roughly three months to audition for the squad on the ice.

If that’s indeed the ethos, Team Canada officials are quickly running out of reasons to keep Connor Bedard off the 2026 Olympic roster.

Blackhawks ace could be part of a new Kid Line

One of the main talking points surrounding Team Canada’s 2026 Olympic roster is Bedard playing with San Jose Sharks rising star Macklin Celebrini. Celebrini is also having a good season out West. The 19-year-old has kept pace with Bedard, scoring nine goals and 14 assists for 23 points in 15 games.

The chatter has centered on playing Bedard and Celebrini on the same line. If Team Canada coach Jon Cooper wanted to go that direction, he could have the makings of a new Kid Line. Two dynamic, speedy, highly-skilled forwards wreaking havoc on the ice.

The only squad that could match that sort of firepower would be Team USA. Other clubs would struggle to find defenders to contain the pair, much less forwards who could keep up.

A line of Celebrini and Bedard with say, Brayden Point could have the makings of a strong second line for Team Canada.

Meanwhile, it would put the Blackhawks star on the hockey map worldwide. Bedard still has about six weeks to prove his hot start is no fluke. Judging just from the eye test, Bedard looks poised to deliver on the promise that made him a first-overall selection and a Calder Trophy winner.

It would be great to see Bedard go head-to-head with Frank Nazar on the world’s biggest stage. By the looks of things, the Blackhawks could have their future captain make a splash at the Olympics this season.