Way-Too-Early Canada Roster Selections for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey
The 2026 Winter Olympics finally gave fans a tournament featuring the best talent from top hockey-playing nations.
We won't have to wait until the 2030 Games in the French Alps to see it again, though, as the NHL will stage its World Cup of Hockey in 2028.
The World Cup of Hockey will be held in February 2028 and feature teams from eight nations in its fourth edition.
Canada won the last two editions in 2004 and 2016. Their roster for the 2028 World Cup will likely feature many of the players from their 2026 Olympic men's hockey team.
Nevertheless, there could be some changes.
Sidney Crosby, Drew Doughty, and Brad Marchand might not be chosen, simply because they're in their late 30s and their performances could be in decline by then. However, if any of them continue playing at a high level two years from now, they could earn themselves spots on the World Cup roster.
Rising young players will make a case for selection over some of the veterans who were on this year's Olympic roster. Meanwhile, stars who missed the Games due to injuries could make the cut in 2028.
Here's our way-too-early selection for Team Canada in the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.
Bear in mind that none of these defense pairings and forward lines should be considered set in stone. It could take at least another year before it becomes clearer as to which players are most likely to be selected.
Goaltenders: Logan Thompson, Jordan Binnington, and Mackenzie Blackwood
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The solid performances of Jordan Binnington and Logan Thompson at the Olympics could see them return for Canada at the World Cup of Hockey. They could be joined by Colorado Avalanche netminder Mackenzie Blackwood.
Thompson has established himself as a reliable starter since getting traded to the Washington Capitals in 2024. The 28-year-old is among this season's top-10 NHL goalies with a 2.45 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage, and played well in his sole start for Canada in the Olympics.
Binnington has had an up-and-down career with the St. Louis Blues, but he has proven capable of stepping up in big games. The 32-year-old backstopped the Blues to the 2019 Stanley Cup and came up clutch for Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off. He had a 1.78 goals-against average in the Olympics.
Blackwood joins Thompson among this season's top-10 goalies. The 29-year-old has found stability since joining the Avalanche in 2024, and has a 2.25 goals-against average and .916 save percentage with three shutouts.
Defense Pairing 1: Devon Toews and Cale Makar
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As the old saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Devon Toews and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche have been among the NHL's best defense pairings for years. They helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2024 and played well for Canada in the 2026 Olympics.
Toews will turn 34 when the 2028 World Cup rolls around, but he should remain a solid defensive presence for Canada. He averages 22:22 of time on ice per game, including a team-leading 2:24 on the penalty kill. Toews also contributes offensively, netting 44-plus points in each of the last four seasons.
Makar is considered the NHL's top defenseman. He's a two-time winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy, and also won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2019-20 and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2021-22. Makar logs big minutes, blocks shots, and is among the league leaders in takeaways with 32.
Defense Pairing 2: Matthew Schaefer and Shea Theodore
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This pairing would feature a young New York Islanders defenseman who is quickly establishing himself among the league's elite blueliners, and a reliable all-around right-shot veteran.
Matthew Schaefer was chosen first overall by the Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft. He's wasted no time becoming their best defenseman, sitting third with 16 goals and 39 points in 58 games. The 18-year-old logs over 24 minutes per game in all situations and is the favorite to win the Calder Memorial Trophy.
Shea Theodore is yet another Canadian blueliner who can play big minutes (23:42 this season) in all situations as a skilled all-around defender. The 30-year-old rearguard helped the Vegas Golden Knights win the 2023 Stanley Cup and was a reliable presence on Canada's blue line in the Olympics.
Defense Pairing 3: Thomas Harley and Noah Dobson
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For Canada's third defense pairing, we've selected two players in their mid-twenties who are coming into their own as skilled and experienced defensemen. They could also move up in the lineup as required.
Harley earned his place on Canada's Olympic roster following a solid effort in the 4 Nations Face-Off. The 24-year-old rearguard averages over 23 minutes of ice time per game with the Dallas Stars. A smooth-skating puck-mover, he had a career-high 50 points last season.
Dobson established himself as a mobile defenseman with the New York Islanders before getting traded to the Montreal Canadiens last summer. He's averaging 22:44 minutes of ice time per game and sits second in the league with 139 blocked shots. With 38 points, he should break the 40-point plateau for the fourth time.
Spares: Evan Bouchard and Josh Morrissey
Evan Bouchard of the Edmonton Oilers and Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets are the top defensemen on their respective teams. Depending on their performances, they could be regulars or spares for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.
Bouchard emerged as a high-scoring defenseman in 2023-24. Since then, he sits third among all NHL blueliners with 212 points. He's also developed a reputation as a clutch scorer, leading all rearguards with 12 game-winning goals. Over that time, he's also the leading playoff scorer among defensemen with 55 points.
An injury sidelined Morrissey for all but one game in the Olympics. The 30-year-old averages a team-leading 24:37 of ice time per game with the Jets. Another gifted puck-mover, he has averaged over 60 points in each of the last three seasons. His offensive skills should keep him in the mix for the 2028 World Cup.
Forward Line 1: Macklin Celebrini, Connor McDavid, and Connor Bedard
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This line comprises two-thirds of Canada's first line from the 2026 Winter Games, with the addition of a young forward who was passed over for the Olympic roster.
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini earned his spot at left wing on the top line of Canada's Olympic team. The 19-year-old was the youngest player on the roster, but led all 2026 Olympic scorers with five goals and was second with 10 points. He also sits fourth among NHL scorers with 81 points.
Connor McDavid remains Canada's top player and the NHL's top scorer. The 29-year-old Edmonton Oilers captain set a single-tournament Olympic points record with 13 points and was named tournament MVP. He will center their first line in the World Cup and will likely be named team captain.
Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2023-24. The 20-year-old center was sixth in the league with a team-leading 44 points until his injury, but he was omitted from the 2026 Olympic squad.
He's an elite forward with international experience, winning gold medals in the 2022 and 2023 World Juniors.
Forward Line 2: Wyatt Johnston, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mitch Marner
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Our second line for Canada has Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon returning as the center. Joining him is his 2026 Olympic teammate (and Vegas Golden Knights' winger) Mitch Marner, and Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston.
MacKinnon brings more superstar depth at center among Canada's top two lines. He remains among the NHL's leading scorers and finished third among Canada's scorers in the Olympics with seven points. He was also part of Canada's gold-medal team at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
Marner has garnered a well-deserved reputation as a clutch two-way player for Canada. He set up the tying and winning goals in the gold-medal game at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and scored overtime goals in that tournament and the Olympics. He can move up and down the lineup and works well on the penalty kill.
Johnston was under consideration for Canada's Olympic team and should make the cut for the 2028 World Cup. The 22-year-old center has steadily developed into a productive offensive forward for the Stars, sitting third among their scorers with 59 points in 57 games.
Forward Line 3: Nick Suzuki, Seth Jarvis, and Anthony Cirelli
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This line features Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki and Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis returning after playing for Canada's Olympic squad. Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli was initially selected for the Olympic team until he was sidelined by a lower-body injury.
Suzuki, 26, has captained the Canadiens since 2022-23 and is among the NHL's best two-way forwards. A skilled center who played wing at times for Canada in the Olympics, he reached 89 points last season and is on pace for over 90 this season. He also kills penalties and plays top power-play minutes.
Since his NHL debut in 2021-22, Jarvis has steadily developed into an energetic, two-way playmaking forward for the Hurricanes. The 24-year-old can play in all situations and is among the league leaders this season with three shorthanded goals.
For the past eight seasons, Cirelli has been a strong defensive center for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He's a smart, hard-working forward and a solid penalty killer, averaging 2:44 of shorthanded ice time per game. Cirelli also has a good scoring touch and is on pace to reach 40 points for the fifth time in his career.
Forward Line 4: Brandon Hagel, Brayden Point, and Mark Stone
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The fourth line features three forwards who play a strong two-way style with plenty of big-game experience. Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel and Vegas Golden Knights winger Mark Stone return from the Olympic roster. Lightning center Brayden Point was selected for the Games until he was sidelined by an injury.
Captain of the Golden Knights since 2020-21, Stone remains among the league's top two-way forwards despite a history of back injuries. He has the best active stick in the league, making him the king of the takeaways. The 33-year-old Stone is also one of the NHL's smartest players and shows no sign of slowing down.
Another returning Olympian and 4 Nations veteran, Hagel has developed into a reliable scoring winger without losing the grit and work ethic that first garnered him attention in the NHL. The 27-year-old regularly logs nearly 20 minutes of ice time and is a regular on the Lightning's special teams.
Point can also play center or wing and is an elite play-driving forward with three 90-plus point seasons on his resume. The 29-year-old was a core part of the Lightning's two Stanley Cup titles earlier in this decade, and remains an invaluable member of their lineup. He also played for Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Spares: Beckett Sennecke and Adam Fantilli
A rising star with the Anaheim Ducks, winger Beckett Sennecke leads all rookies this season with 18 goals and is second in points with 44. The 20-year-old winger will be in his third NHL season in 2028, and could blossom into an international sensation as Macklin Celebrini did in the Olympics.
Adam Fantilli is a promising center with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 21-year-old is in his third NHL season, coming off a career-high 31 goals and 54 points in 2024-25. He's still developing his game, but could be a factor as a physical two-way forward for Canada in 2028.
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