Although Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson was not included among the initial six players named to Team Canada’s preliminary roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics on Monday, he remains a strong candidate for the final squad competing in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Wilson’s strong season and overall performance keep him in serious consideration for representing Canada at the upcoming games.
General Manager Doug Armstrong Discusses Early Roster Choices and Wilson’s Status
Following the announcement of the first six roster selections, Team Canada’s general manager Doug Armstrong spoke with Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic about the criteria behind his early picks. Armstrong emphasized that the rough style of the recent 4 Nations Face-Off Canada-USA game, which included multiple fights in the opening seconds, did not influence his decisions. Despite Wilson’s absence from these initial picks, Armstrong made it clear that the winger remains under evaluation.
Quite honestly, the way Tom played last season, he’s in that group of strong consideration just for his overall play,
Armstrong said.
We just went through the easy part, the first six. Now it gets interesting.
—Doug Armstrong, Team Canada General Manager
Wilson’s National Team History and Career-Best Season
Tom Wilson has yet to debut for Canada’s senior national team, having only participated at the junior level in events like the World U17 Hockey Challenge and Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in 2011, as well as the Canada-Russia Challenge in 2012. The Toronto native has recently completed his best offensive season, totaling 65 points (33 goals, 32 assists) in 81 games to help the Capitals secure the league’s top spot.
Wilson expressed his disappointment at missing the 4 Nations Face-Off roster last month, revealing how much it meant to him to compete for his country. He watched the tournament from home as fellow Canadians claimed victory.
As a competitor, you want to be out there competing with your country,
Wilson shared last month.
You always want to put that jersey on and go out there best-on-best. If it happens in the future, I’ll be stoked. Obviously, it was great for the game of hockey. Everybody saw what a savage sport it is. Great skill, speed, and toughness on display. It was awesome.
—Tom Wilson, Washington Capitals Forward
Initial Roster Picks Highlight Canada’s Elite Talent
The first six athletes selected by Armstrong represent some of the NHL’s best players. The group includes Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart, and Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point. Notably absent from this initial announcement was a goalkeeper, despite the recent success of Jordan Binnington.
Goalie Competition Remains Open as Armstrong Weighs Several Candidates
Jordan Binnington, who led Canada to the 4 Nations Face-Off championship and also plays under Armstrong’s management for the St. Louis Blues, remains the frontrunner among goaltenders. However, Armstrong acknowledged a strong cadre of contenders, which includes Capitals’ number-one goalie Logan Thompson, who had an impressive rookie season.
[Binnington is] certainly the leader in the (goalie) clubhouse, there’s no question about that, with his play,
Armstrong explained.
But you look at different players now — the two guys that joined him at 4 Nations (Adin Hill and Sam Montembeault), and quite honestly you have (Logan) Thompson, you have (Darcy) Kuemper, you have (MacKenzie) Blackwood, you have (Stuart) Skinner, that’s just four off the top of my head — they’re all quality goaltenders who are going to push.
—Doug Armstrong, Team Canada General Manager
Thompson finished his first NHL season with a remarkable 31-6-6 record, a 2.49 goals-against average, and a .910 save percentage. His playoff performance was also notable, ranking second among postseason starters in MoneyPuck’s goals saved above expected metric despite the Capitals’ exit in the second round. The 28-year-old goalie also placed fourth in the voting for the 2025 Vezina Trophy, honoring the NHL’s best goaltender.
Thompson’s International Experience and Team Dynamics
Logan Thompson’s only prior senior international appearance for Canada was during a four-game stretch at the 2022 World Championship, where the team earned a silver medal. His omission from the 4 Nations Face-Off roster was reportedly influenced by a strained relationship with members of the coaching staff led by head coach Jon Cooper, formerly of the Vegas Golden Knights.
Outlook for Final Roster Decisions and Team Canada’s 2026 Prospects
With the first six players now selected, the remainder of Team Canada’s roster remains open for debate and evaluation. Tom Wilson’s impressive recent form and Armstrong’s acknowledgment of his strong candidacy suggest that the winger could still earn a spot for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The high level of competition across all positions, especially in goal, ensures that the final roster will reflect top-tier talent and depth, positioning Canada as a formidable contender on the international stage.