There was definitely a lot of criticism towards the team that was chosen to represent Canada at the Olympics, and for good reason. Now all of the critics have supporting evidence from tournament play and what everyone missed out on with the players who were left at home, Connor Bedard being one of them despite multiple chances to name him to the team.
After a loss to Team U.S.A., even if there isn't a management change so the GM doesn't choose legacy over who's the top players right now, Bedard was already skilled enough to be on the team at age 20 and will be there at 24 years old when he's even better.
Let's fast forward four years. There are a handful of players based on age alone that have likely played their last Olympics. Brad Marchand, Mark Stone, and Sidney Crosby fit this description. But if Crosby is playing, he'll be there. We also don't know how players like Tom Wilson, Bo Horvat, Sam Reinhart, or Sam Bennett will age either.
Based on performances at forward, Marchand is the clear outlier and had a rough go, but Reinhart was also invisible other than his one big goal. Canada could have used a scorer and elite player like Bedard, and size clearly didn't matter as 5'11, 176 lbs Jack Hughes scored the game-winner over Canada.
The next wave of young players is already here and should have been better represented at the Olympics for Canada. It's about who's the best as building a legacy team with nepotism didn't work when it really mattered. It should change and it's a long ways away until the next time Bedard has the opportunity to play for Canada at the Olympics.
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