Why Sam Bennett was the right fit for Canada’s Olympic team

Canada’s men’s hockey team is making a change for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, naming Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett to the lineup as an injury replacement for Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli. 

The news comes just a month after Bennett was initially left off Canada’s Olympic roster, a move that surprised many as Bennett was an X-factor for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, as well as the Conn Smythe Trophy winner last spring when the Panthers won their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship.

Bennett, who has 19 goals and 23 assists for 42 points in 55 games through the 2025-26 season, has a chance to be one of a select few players to win both a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal within the same year.

On Wednesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Jonny Lazarus steps in as the guest host with former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton to discuss Bennett’s addition to the team and how he’ll factor in to Canada’s Olympic lineup.

Carter Hutton: I think it’s a piece-out, piece-in situation. When Cirelli went down, you asked who that replacement player, and I don’t think we had Sam Bennett as high. But the familiarity with Jon Cooper from the 4 Nations Face-Off means he can come in and play this role. I also thought Bennett looked better as the 4 Nations went on.

I think numbers wise, Bennett has played better as of late, especially on a struggling Panthers team. He can be a big X-factor, as we saw last year when he scored against the U.S.

Jonny Lazarus: He’s also a Conn Smythe Trophy winner. When it comes to playing the big games, is there a more proven guy than Sam Bennett?

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…