The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament replaced this year's NHL All-Star weekend. It has been extremely well received as Canada, Finland, Sweden and the USA have all duked it out in a round-robin tournament. The action has been exciting, but there has been a glaring mi sing piece in the event. Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard is not part of the tournament and wasn't added to Team Canada's roster. Bedard was a highly touted prospect and was considered a generational player when Chicago took him first overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. Here is why Bedard was not added to Team Canada's roster. 4 NATIONS FACE-OFF HQ Why is Connor Bedard not on Team Canada? Bedard started his profe sional career largely looking like the player he was supposed to be. He played in 68 games and finished with 22 goals and 39 a sists for 61 total points. This effort was good enough to earn him the 2023-2024 Calder Memorial Trophy winner that goes Ty Mueller Jersey to the best rookie in the league. Bedard had all the momentum built up in his first season. It's hard to tell if it is just a down year for him or if defenses somehow figured out a way to minimize his impact, but he is going through a sophomore slump. Bedard has played in 55 games this season with 16 goals, 33 a sists and 49 points. said that the second-year center just isn't ready yet to push the more experienced players from Team Canada's roster. "The experiences hes going to go through (are important)," Sweeney said before the tournament. "The world championships he went through last year. Going through the second time around the league now, so to speak in your second year, theres some challenges a sociated with that. Hes working through that in a situation where he gets all the attention po sible from the best players that hes playing against each and every night. "I think hes living and breathing it right now, and its only going to help him to continue to build his resume, and were excited about that." Will Connor Bedard play for Team Canada at 2026 Olympics? Nothing is guaranteed in hockey, but he should. Bedard will have the remainder of this season and the start of the next to prove that he is ready. Despite being highly talented coming into the draft, there is still room for him to develop. If he can get back on track by the time the Olympic roster is due, he could certainly represent Team Canada in the 2026 Olympics in Italy. Team Canada 4 Nations Face-Off roster Player Name Position NHL Team Sam Bennett F Panthers Anthony Cirelli F Lightning Sidney Crosby F Penguins Brandon Hagel F Lightning Seth Jarvis F Hurricanes Travis Konecny F Flyers Nathan MacKinnon F Avalanche Brad Marchand F Bruins Mitch Marner F Maple Leafs Connor McDavid F Oilers Brayden Point F Lightning Sam Reinhart F Panthers Mark Stone F Golden Knights Thomas Harley D Stars Cale Makar D Avalanche Josh Morri sey D Jets Colton Parayko D Blues Alex Pietrangelo D Golden Knights Travis Sanheim D Flyers Shea Theodore D Golden Knights Devon Toews D Avalanche Jordan Binnington G Blues Adin Hill G Golden Knights Sam Montembeault G Canadiens Mark Friedman Jersey