With Canada’s 25-man males’s ice hockey roster formally submitted for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, consideration is popping to contingency plans ought to Brayden Level be unable to play.
Level suffered a proper‑knee damage throughout Tampa Bay Lightning’s 3‑0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 12 at Xfinity Cell Area in Philadelphia. Level scored a power-play aim early within the second interval however instantly went down awkwardly and was helped off the ice, lacking the rest of the sport.
On Sportsnet 590 The FAN, NHL insider Jason Bukala mentioned potential replacements for Level. Bukala described how Workforce Canada administration has pre-identified gamers by position guaranteeing that coaches know which choices would greatest match a niche.
“I used to be on the presser in Minneapolis when Workforce Canada’s Administration Group, Doug Armstrong nannounced to the group that now we have gamers, sure forms of gamers in sure classes, and if one thing like this had been to occur, we had been proposing to our coaches, ‘That is the form of participant we see to slot in that position.’,” he stated.
Among the many names mentioned, Bukala identified Sam Bennett, the $64-million ahead with the Florida Panthers as a key potential alternative. The insider talked about Bennett’s versatility in being taking part in each heart and wing and famous his robust trajectory and playoff efficiency, which make him a pure candidate if Level can not take part.
“For those who’re trying on the heart ice place now, Bennett can play heart. He can even play wing, in truth, he can play either side. On the wing, he can play any of the three positions. So, personally, as we speak I’d return to Bennett, as a result of his trajectory the best way he’s performed over a reasonably well-extended time period has actually outlined his id, like he did final yr within the playoffs,” the insider stated.
“That offers you extra confidence that he can do this job for you. I’d lean that approach personally if it involves that; time will inform,” he added.
Bennett signed his 8-year, $64 million contract in June 2025, carrying an $8 million cap hit per season with the Panthers. To date, he has 16 targets and 19 assists in 45 video games this season.
Workforce Canada GM revealed Sam Bennett’s response after being left off 2026 Olympic roster
Earlier this month, Workforce Canada normal supervisor Doug Armstrong addressed the exclusion of Sam Bennett from the 25-man males’s ice hockey roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan‑Cortina.
Talking on Sportsnet 590 The Fan, Armstrong shared that he personally reached out to gamers from final yr’s 4 Nations Face‑Off who weren’t chosen. Armstrong stated Bennett acquired the information professionally and stays prepared to affix the staff if an damage opens a spot.
“And Sam was very troublesome. Not surprisingly dealt with like a real gentleman and a professional. And, you understand, desires to be a part of the method if there may be an damage. Nevertheless it was very exhausting, as a result of he did… he did an awesome job for us final yr,” he added.
Armstrong defined that the choice course of centered on gamers who might fill particular roles significantly in faceoffs and defensive tasks. Bo Horvat of the New York Islanders, who additionally brings versatility and expertise taking part in wing with high gamers on the Worlds, was chosen over Bennett to satisfy these staff aims.
Edited by Anjum Rajonno