Sidney Crosby Highlights Differences Between Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini

During the 2026 Winter Olympics, Team Canada began their campaign spectacularly with a commanding 5-0 victory against Czechia. Captain Sidney Crosby praised teenage sensation Macklin Celebrini, whose performance has sparked discussions about his counterpart, Connor Bedard.

Team Canada’s Olympic Journey

As Team Canada traveled to Italy, Crosby’s comments about Celebrini hinted at the complexities surrounding Bedard’s exclusion from the squad. While Celebrini was a solid choice, Bedard was left in Chicago as a spare player, highlighting a risky decision by head coach Jon Cooper and his team.

Crosby Praises Celebrini

Crosby emphasized Celebrini’s worthiness, stating, “He’s obviously earned the right to be here. I don’t think he was a guy that was on the bubble.” Celebrini opened the scoring for Team Canada, reinforcing why he was selected for the Olympic roster.

The Bedard Dilemma

In contrast, Connor Bedard, the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, found himself on the “bubble.” Despite injuries to some players, he never received a call, leaving many fans bewildered. They believed Bedard deserved a spot alongside Crosby and Celebrini in Italy.

Upcoming Rivalry

Celebrini and Bedard are seen as potential successors to NHL stardom. Celebrini now boasts Olympic experience, while Bedard’s absence will leave unanswered questions about their competition. However, both players share a strong bond dating back to their beginnings in North Vancouver.

Conclusion

The early success of Team Canada raises anticipation for the future of both Celebrini and Bedard. As they continue to develop, comparisons will persist, but the current Olympic stage belongs to Celebrini. The decision to exclude Bedard may have implications for Team Canada as they pursue gold.