Team Canada hit the ice for its first Olympic practice in Italy, and right away, head coach John Cooper made it clear-this isn’t about stacking lines with star power. It’s about building four balanced units that can all hold their own against the world’s best. And with the firepower on display, Cooper has the luxury of mixing and matching elite talent to find the right chemistry.
One of the most intriguing combinations from day one? Nick Suzuki skating on the wing alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Brad Marchand. That’s Montreal’s captain flanking Colorado’s dynamic center and Florida’s agitating veteran-three very different styles, but potentially a dangerous trio if they click.
Suzuki, who’s usually the guy driving the play down the middle for the Canadiens, is being asked to shift to the wing-a necessity when Team Canada is this deep down the middle. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Suzuki over the years, it’s that he adapts. Whether it’s taking on more responsibility in Montreal or adjusting to new linemates in a short tournament, he’s the kind of player who gives his coach exactly what’s needed.
After practice, Suzuki spoke about the challenge of building chemistry quickly in a high-stakes, short-format tournament. He said it was fun skating with MacKinnon and Marchand, and that the coaching staff is clearly experimenting to see what combinations might click. That process is crucial-there’s no time to waste when the puck drops in just a few days.
In a light moment that reminded everyone this is still a tight-knit hockey community, Marchand couldn’t resist chirping Suzuki during his media availability. As he walked by, he tossed out a playful “Je m’appelle Nick Suzuki,” a nod to the Montreal market-and maybe a little jab at Suzuki’s French, too. It’s the kind of moment that shows how quickly camaraderie can build on a team full of rivals-turned-teammates.
And it’s not the first time Marchand has found common ground with a Canadiens player. Back in 2016 at the World Championships, he and Brendan Gallagher were side-by-side during Canada’s gold medal celebration. Marchand may be a villain in Montreal during the NHL season, but on Team Canada, he’s just another guy chasing gold.
As for the rest of the lineup, Cooper rolled out some eye-catching combinations. The top line featured Macklin Celebrini, Connor McDavid, and Tom Wilson-a mix of youthful promise, generational talent, and physical edge.
The third line brought together Mark Stone, Sidney Crosby (who’s wearing the “C”), and Mitch Marner-three players known for their hockey IQ and two-way play. The fourth line had Brendan Hagel, Bo Horvat, and Sam Reinhart, giving Canada depth and versatility across the board.
Sam Bennett and Seth Jarvis were the extras on day one, which makes sense given they were late additions to replace the injured Anthony Cirelli and Brayden Point.
On the back end, Canada’s defense pairings were just as stacked. Devon Toews and Cale Makar-Colorado’s elite duo-were reunited.
Josh Morrissey lined up with Colton Parayko, while Thomas Harley (Suzuki’s roommate in Milan) skated with veteran Drew Doughty. The final pair featured Shea Theodore and Travis Sanheim, giving Cooper a mix of puck-moving skill and defensive stability.
Now the question becomes: will Cooper stick with these combos, or will we see more tinkering before the tournament opener?
Team Canada’s first game is set for Thursday, February 12, when they face Czechia at 10:40 AM. Meanwhile, Canadiens fans will want to keep an eye on Juraj Slafkovsky and Oliver Kapanen, who go head-to-head on Wednesday, February 11, in an early matchup that starts at 10:40 AM. Alexander Texier and Team France open their tournament Thursday morning against Switzerland at 6:10 AM.
With practices underway and rosters set, the countdown to Olympic puck drop is on-and Team Canada’s search for the right mix is officially in motion.