The roar inside Bell Centre is deafening, a sea of red surging as Noah Dobson throws his arms skyward in celebration, flanked by Mike Matheson and Nick Suzuki—three names suddenly at the heart of a story much bigger than one December night in Montreal. The flashes of cameras, the wild cheers, and the gleam of victory all seem to freeze in time, capturing not only a goal against the St. Louis Blues but a moment that could echo all the way to the grand stage of the 2026 Olympic Games in Milano Cortina.

Yet, beneath the jubilation, an undercurrent of intrigue pulses through the hockey world. The Olympics are approaching fast, but uncertainty clouds every step. Will the arena in Italy be ready? Will NHL stars actually make the trip, or will safety concerns keep the world’s best at home? Bill Daly’s warning—NHL players will not go if it’s “unsafe”—hangs over every conversation, every scouting trip, and every whispered rumor. Still, Hockey Canada’s top minds aren’t waiting for answers; they’re on the move, combing arenas and pouring over stats, determined to build a roster worthy of gold.

Doug Armstrong, Julien BriseBois, Jim Nill, Don Sweeney, and Kyle Dubas—Canada’s hockey brain trust—are seen everywhere, clipboards in hand, eyes locked on the ice, searching for that elusive combination of skill, grit, and leadership. Even Jon Cooper, the man destined to command Team Canada from behind the bench, has gone beyond the ordinary. In a move that stunned insiders, he picked up the phone during the summer and dialed Montreal’s Martin St-Louis, a former teammate and now rival coach, to discuss two Canadiens who have ignited curiosity across the country.

Nick Suzuki, the captain whose quiet determination and explosive talent have made him a fan favorite, and Noah Dobson, the newcomer whose rise has been nothing short of meteoric, are the subjects of Cooper’s inquiry. Anthony Martineau of TVA Sports broke the story: “Jon Cooper contacted Martin St-Louis this summer about Canadiens players on Team Canada’s radar. Noah Dobson and Nick Suzuki.” The connection between Cooper and St-Louis runs deep, forged in the fires of Tampa Bay’s locker room years ago, but now their conversation could shape Canada’s Olympic destiny.

Suzuki’s case is especially compelling. After being snubbed for Team Canada’s Four Nations Face-Off, he’s responded with a vengeance—racking up points at a pace bested only by superstars Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. The question now isn’t whether he’s good enough, but whether his moment has finally arrived. Dobson, meanwhile, has injected new life into Montreal’s defense, his play drawing attention from scouts and analysts alike.

As the clock ticks down to Milano Cortina, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will Hockey Canada take a chance on Suzuki’s leadership and Dobson’s promise? Will the NHL’s brightest stars light up the Olympic stage, or will uncertainty leave fans dreaming of what might have been? For now, the answers remain hidden, the drama intensifying with every game, every call, and every goal. The spotlight is on, and the next chapter is about to be written.

Dec 7, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson (53) celebrates with defenseman Mike Matheson (8) and center Nick Suzuki (14) his goal against the St. Louis Blues during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The 2026 Olympic ice hockey tournament in Milano Cortina is fast approaching.

Even though we still do not know if the arena will be ready in time, nor even if NHL players will ultimately go to Italy, Hockey Canada’s decision-makers continue to closely monitor players in order to make the best possible choices.

“Deputy commissioner and chief legal officer, Bill Daly, has said that NHL players will not go to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics if the players deem it “unsafe” – TSN

It is no surprise, then, that Doug Armstrong, Julien BriseBois, Jim Nill, Don Sweeney, and Kyle Dubas – all key members of Canada’s hockey operations – are touring arenas to watch their country’s players in action.

Even the man who will be the team’s head coach, Jon Cooper, is working to gather information about the various candidates.

Jon Cooper made a call to Martin St-Louis to discuss two players in particular

We learn, via Anthony Martineau of TVA Sports, that the Tampa Bay Lightning’s bench boss took his job seriously this summer.

In fact, during the offseason, he took the time to call his counterpart in Montreal, Martin St-Louis, to discuss the Canadiens players who are on Hockey Canada’s radar.

Two names emerged from that conversation: Nick Suzuki and the newcomer, Noah Dobson.

“Jon Cooper contacted Martin St-Louis this summer about Canadiens players on Team Canada’s radar.

Noah Dobson and Nick Suzuki.”

– Anthony Martineau

When Cooper arrived behind the Lightning bench in 2012-2013, St-Louis was still part of the roster in Tampa Bay. The two men therefore know each other quite well.

Even if it is normal for these types of conversations to take place, it is good to see that everyone at Hockey Canada is involved and taking their role seriously.

It will be interesting to see whether the Canadiens’ captain will get his chance to participate in the event.

He is one of the team’s top players, and his performance since last season’s Four Nations Face-Off speaks for itself. Being left off Team Canada’s roster may have served as motivation, as only Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon have more points than him since the start of the calendar year.