DALLAS — Team Canada’s Olympic Roster Talks

Team Canada hasn’t reached out directly to Bo Horvat or Matthew Schaefer since narrowing down its Olympic roster last week, both players mentioned to the Post on Tuesday. However, that doesn’t necessarily imply they’re out of the running for a spot in Milan.

Horvat is still thought to be in the mix for Team Canada. Schaefer’s situation is a bit more ambiguous. At the start of the season, Olympic considerations weren’t really on anyone’s radar, and given his age, it’s a different scenario for him. Yet, he has been observed watching the Islanders frequently this season, which might catch the eye of Canadian scouts, especially considering the performances of Horvat and Mathew Barzal.

While there are strong viewpoints on both sides about roster inclusion ahead of the December 31 deadline, the absence of direct communication hasn’t raised any alarms. Horvat shared that Canada’s leadership has been communicating with GMs and agents instead of the players, which leaves him feeling involved in Olympic discussions.

“They’ve definitely expressed interest and said through intermediaries that they haven’t confirmed whether I’m in yet. I’m very much in the conversation,” Horvat stated to the Post, just before a game against the Stars. “You have to keep performing, though. It’s always been my dream to be part of that team, and I’d do anything to make it happen.”

Schaefer, on the other hand, is more cautiously optimistic about the potential trip to Italy. “I just play hockey,” he told the Post. “I don’t have to worry about that. No one has reached out to me. I’m focused on my team and what’s happening here.”

Notably, Team Canada executives, including several GMs, have been repeatedly seen at Islanders games. For example, Kyle Dubas was present for games during this road trip, which lined up with the Penguins’ visit to New Jersey. It’s expected that Doug Armstrong will also be at the game when the Blues face the Islanders.

There’s increasing chatter surrounding Schaefer and his Olympic prospects. Canada faces tough decisions regarding recent first overall picks, as both Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard are performing well, but Horvat might still stand out more.

Even though his scoring has slowed recently, Horvat is still doing quite well with a career-high of 12 goals this season. His ability to cover the entire rink and score timely goals could play a vital role in a Canada team filled with stars like Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar.

For Schaefer, it ultimately hinges on how comfortable Team Canada feels with a relatively inexperienced player on such a grand stage. It may take longer for Schaefer, but it certainly could turn into a compelling narrative, especially given how discussions about him have shifted in just a few weeks.

Understandably, Schaefer was hesitant to stir the pot on Tuesday. “That doesn’t come up too often,” he said. “There’s enough chatter on social media for people to share their opinions. But there’s still a lot to be found in hockey. I’m young, and the key is to work hard and perform on the ice. Decisions will be made when the time comes; it’s not something I dwell on.”