In a decision that has sparked debate among hockey fans, Team Canada has once again passed over Edmonton Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard for its Olympic roster, set to compete in Italy next month. The move underscores the high-stakes calculus of international tournament selection, where offensive brilliance is sometimes weighed against the peril of defensive miscues.
The Elite Offence Overshadowed by Defensive Concerns
There is little dispute about Evan Bouchard's world-class offensive toolkit. His ability to unleash a booming point shot, deliver precision passes to spring breakaways, and quarterback a power play is considered among the best in the NHL. This season, his production ranks him second only to Colorado's Cale Makar among Canadian defencemen in points. Furthermore, his playoff performance has been historically significant, with a points-per-game rate among blueliners trailing only the legendary Bobby Orr.
However, the selection committee for Team Canada has consistently viewed his game through a different lens. In the crucible of a single-game elimination tournament like the Olympics, where one turnover can end gold medal hopes, Bouchard's well-documented defensive lapses have been deemed a liability too great to bear. Concerns persist about costly giveaways in his own zone and a perceived nonchalance in protecting the front of the net.
A Familiar Snub and Canada's Chosen Blueline
This omission is not Bouchard's first. He was also left off Canada's roster for the Four Nations Cup earlier this season, not ranking among the initial top nine defencemen considered. For the Olympic team, Hockey Canada has opted for stability and a known defensive quantity, selecting the same eight defencemen from that tournament: Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Josh Morrissey, Shea Theodore, Colton Parayko, Travis Sanheim, Drew Doughty, and Thomas Harley.
The selection reinforces that Canada's management prioritized puck-moving defenders who can also "protect the house" and avoid giving opponents easy opportunities. With Makar, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, slated to run the primary power play, Canada's basket is already overflowing with offensive talent from the back end, making Bouchard's specific skill set less of a necessity.
The McDavid and Draisaitl Factor
Analysts often note that Bouchard's extraordinary point totals are significantly bolstered by playing on a team featuring Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, two of the world's most dominant forwards. While his innate ability to generate offence is undeniable, the question for selectors was whether that production would translate equally without his elite Oilers linemates in a tightly-checked international format.
The final calculation for Team Canada was clear: in a tournament where every opposing player is a star, the risk associated with Bouchard's defensive game outweighed the reward of his offensive prowess. As a result, the 26-year-old Oilers standout will watch from home as his teammate Connor McDavid and the rest of Team Canada pursue gold in Italy in February 2026.
