Jon Cooper, the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, has been dealing with a series of player injuries during the early part of the NHL season. Despite this challenge, Cooper is also focused on the upcoming return of the NHL players to the Olympics at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games after a 12-year hiatus.
Cooper, who recently led Canada to victory in the 4 Nations Face-Off and will coach the team in Italy, anticipates making difficult decisions when finalizing the country’s roster for the Olympics. He emphasized the tough choices ahead due to the impressive performances of young talents like Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard, who have emerged as key players.
Celebrini, 19, ranked second in NHL scoring with 43 points, while Bedard, 20, followed closely with 40 points. Cooper acknowledged the challenge posed by these young players and praised their impact on the game, highlighting their exceptional talent.
The Canadian team already includes star players like Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Cale Makar, Sam Reinhart, and Brayden Point, who played a pivotal role in Canada’s recent 4 Nations victory. As the roster deadline for the 2026 Olympics approaches, Cooper continues to work on shaping the team.
While Cooper noted a stronger connection with the current players compared to the previous year, he expressed confidence in the team’s progress and preparation for the upcoming games in Italy. The roster decisions are expected to be finalized by December 31, with Canada aiming to secure the gold medal at the Olympics.