Oilers Snubs at the 2026 Olympics: Who’s Out, and What It Could Mean for Edmonton’s Cup Chase
With the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan right around the corner and national hockey rosters now finalized, the spotlight is squarely on who made the cut-and who didn’t. For the Edmonton Oilers, the headlines are naturally dominated by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, two of the NHL’s brightest stars finally set to represent their countries on the Olympic stage.
McDavid will wear the Maple Leaf, Draisaitl the German black, red, and gold. Joining Draisaitl is Oilers prospect Josh Samanski, a rising talent who’ll get a taste of the international spotlight.
But while the big names are packing for Italy, a few notable Oilers are staying home. And not because they’re not playing well-far from it.
These omissions are the kind that spark heated debates in locker rooms, press boxes, and fan forums alike. Let’s dive into the three biggest snubs from Edmonton’s roster and what their absence could mean not just for their national teams, but for the Oilers’ Stanley Cup hopes.
Evan Bouchard: Too Much Offense to Ignore?
Evan Bouchard’s Olympic snub is one of the more polarizing decisions for Team Canada. At the start of the season, you could understand the hesitation.
Bouchard was coming off a new long-term deal, and with that came sky-high expectations. The early returns?
Inconsistent. His offensive numbers dipped, and the Oilers’ blue line looked out of sync.
The puck movement that had once been a strength started to feel labored, and Bouchard’s game seemed a step behind.
But hockey seasons are marathons, not sprints-and Bouchard has found his stride. Over the past couple of months, he’s reminded everyone why the Oilers bet big on him. A hat trick from the back end-yes, you read that right-was just the latest exclamation point in a resurgence that has him back among the league’s most dangerous offensive defensemen.
Now, Team Canada is always deep on the blue line. That’s nothing new.
And when it comes to roster construction, things like handedness, defensive pair chemistry, and special teams roles all come into play. But when you’ve got a defenseman who can flip the ice with one pass or hammer a shot through traffic that changes the game, it’s fair to ask: how do you leave him off?
Sure, there are still questions about his play without the puck. He’s not a shutdown guy in the traditional sense.
But in a short tournament where one power play can decide a medal game, Bouchard’s offensive toolkit could’ve been a game-changer. Canada opted for experience in some spots-like bringing back Drew Doughty-and that’s understandable.
But if the Canadians find themselves struggling to generate offense from the back end, Bouchard’s absence might be one they regret.
Zach Hyman: The Perfect Complement Left Behind
Zach Hyman not making Team Canada? That one’s going to sting for a while-especially if chemistry ends up being a deciding factor in the tournament.
Hyman has been everything the Oilers could’ve hoped for since arriving in Edmonton. He’s the kind of player who makes good teams better and great players even greater.
Just ask Connor McDavid. Their on-ice connection has become one of the NHL’s most effective partnerships, built on relentless effort, smart positioning, and an uncanny ability to find each other in tight spaces.
Hyman isn’t flashy. He’s not going to dangle through three defenders and roof one on the backhand.
But he’s going to win puck battles, create chaos in front of the net, and bury the kind of gritty goals that decide tight games. In Olympic hockey, where time and space disappear and every shift matters, that kind of game travels.
There’s even precedent here. Remember when Chris Kunitz made Team Canada in 2014 to play alongside Sidney Crosby?
It raised eyebrows at the time, but it worked because the fit was right. Hyman could’ve been that guy for McDavid-a plug-and-play winger who already knows how to complement the world’s best player.
Instead, Canada went with more traditional star power. No one’s saying the roster isn’t stacked, but in a tournament where line chemistry can make or break a run, passing on Hyman feels like a missed opportunity to build from a known strength.
Mattias Ekholm: Sweden’s Steady Hand Left Off
Mattias Ekholm being left off Sweden’s roster might not make the same headlines as Bouchard or Hyman, but make no mistake-it’s a head-scratcher.
Since arriving in Edmonton, Ekholm has been the Oilers’ defensive anchor. He brings a calming presence to the back end, combining size, poise, and a veteran’s understanding of how to manage tough minutes. He’s not flashy, but he’s effective-exactly the kind of player who usually thrives in international play.
Sweden’s blue line is always deep, and this year is no different. But with injuries already hitting their defensive corps, leaving out a player like Ekholm-who can log big minutes, kill penalties, and steady a pairing-feels like a curious call.
That said, there’s a silver lining here for the Oilers. Ekholm’s last run at international play didn’t end well; he picked up an injury that lingered into the postseason and clearly affected his game.
With Edmonton eyeing a deep playoff push, keeping Ekholm fresh and healthy might be more valuable than any Olympic medal. If he’s at full strength come spring, the Oilers’ top four becomes that much more formidable.
The Bigger Picture: Olympic Snubs, Playoff Fuel?
At first glance, these omissions sting. Bouchard, Hyman, and Ekholm each had a real case to make their national teams.
All three bring something unique-whether it’s offensive dynamism, grinding two-way play, or steady leadership on the back end. In a best-on-best tournament, those are the kinds of players who often swing games.
But for the Oilers, this might be a blessing in disguise.
Come playoff time, rest matters. So does motivation.
And there’s no doubt that these snubs will light a fire under each of these players. A well-rested Ekholm, a driven Bouchard, and a hungry Hyman?
That’s a trio no team wants to face in a seven-game series.
So while the Olympic spotlight shifts to Milan, don’t forget about what’s brewing back in Edmonton. Because if these snubs turn into fuel for a deep Stanley Cup run, the Oilers might end up being the biggest winners of all.