Just one month before the Olympic tournament kicks off, Team Canada is on the edge of their seats, anxiously awaiting news on Brayden Point’s injury—a setback that could force them to make their first injury replacement. But here’s where it gets controversial: With Point’s status uncertain, the question arises—who could step up to fill his skates? And more importantly, can anyone truly replace his unique role on the team?**
Point, a key forward for both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Team Canada, suffered a grim injury on Monday while scoring his 11th goal of the season against the Philadelphia Flyers. The incident occurred when defenseman Cam York fell onto Point’s right leg, causing the 29-year-old to immediately clutch his knee and leave the ice without putting any weight on it. And this is the part most people miss: Despite a slower-than-usual start this season, Point had been heating up, tallying eight points in his last five games and showing signs of returning to his high-scoring form.
‘I think we all saw [the injury], so let’s see,’ said Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, who will also lead Team Canada at Milano Cortina 2026. Point’s injury comes at a critical time, as he was one of the first six players named to Canada’s roster last summer. While his 11 goals and 30 points in 37 games this season haven’t matched his previous 40-goal, 80-point campaigns, his recent surge had been a promising sign.
‘The tough part for Pointer is his game had really turned the corner, and it seemed he was scoring every night for us,’ Cooper noted on Monday. Now, with Point’s availability in question, Team Canada must consider their options. TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun has reported that Connor Bedard, Sam Bennett, Wyatt Johnston, Mark Scheifele, Seth Jarvis, and Travis Konecny are all in the running as potential replacements.
Here’s where opinions start to clash: Of these candidates, Scheifele, Johnston, and Bedard are having standout offensive seasons, outperforming Point’s current stats. Scheifele, a 32-year-old center, is on pace for another stellar year with 22 goals and 52 points in 44 games. Johnston, just 22, has already notched 25 goals and 51 points in 46 games, while Bedard, despite missing nearly a month with an injury, sits 24th in the NHL with 19 goals and 46 points in 33 games.
On the other hand, Bennett, Jarvis, and Konecny bring familiarity, having all played for Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off team. Bennett, who many were surprised to see left off the initial roster, has 16 goals and 35 points in 45 games, fresh off two Stanley Cup wins with the Florida Panthers. Jarvis, returning from injury, has 12 goals and 33 points in 38 games, while Konecny, who openly blamed himself for not making the initial cut, has 14 goals and 38 points in 43 games.
If Point is ruled out, the bigger question remains: What specific role will Team Canada aim to fill? Point was slated as the second-line right winger alongside Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini in TSN’s projected lineup. With the Olympic tournament set to begin on February 11, time is ticking for Canada to make a decision.
Here’s a thought to ponder: Should Canada prioritize offensive firepower with players like Scheifele or Johnston, or lean on the familiarity and chemistry of Bennett, Jarvis, and Konecny? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from settled. The tournament opens with Finland vs. Slovakia and Italy vs. Sweden, while Canada, grouped with Czechia, Switzerland, and France in Group A, will face the Czechs on February 12. Every team advances to the knockout rounds, but only the group winners and top second-place team earn a direct spot in the quarterfinals. The clock is ticking, and the stakes have never been higher.
