Team Canada replaces an injured forward with Sam Bennett and reopens the snub debate

Feb 3, 2026 (3:27 PM)

Photo credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Sam Bennett is in for Anthony Cirelli on Team Canada, and it instantly re-ignited the Zach Hyman snub noise.

Darren Dreger reported Tuesday that Bennett replaces Cirelli, calling it a tough break for the Lightning veteran after he got hurt Sunday.

Bennett was banged up Monday, but it’s not serious, and he’s expected to be fine.

This is the exact kind of swap that makes roster debates feel personal.

Cirelli isn’t a headline guy, but he drives play, wins details, and coaches love him in tight games.

He also leaves behind 15-20-35 this season, and that’s real middle-six value to lose overnight.

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Bennett brings a totally different flavor, more edge, more chaos, more grease around the crease.

He’s sitting at 19-23-42, and he plays like every shift is a grudge match.

Canadian fans are going to argue about this until the puck drops in Italy, because the margins are razor thin.

And that’s where the Oilers fanbase jumps in with the same question: how does Zach Hyman keep ending up outside the velvet rope?

That OilersDaily post didn’t even bother with subtle, "hyman snubbed yet again" says it all.

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Hyman has 22-14-36, he lives at the net front, and he makes elite players even harder to defend.

If you’re building a short tournament lineup, you want guys who simplify offense on the man advantage.

For Canada, Bennett in means more bite, but also less of that clean, two-way Cirelli snap.

Now it’s on the staff to make the lines fit, fast.

Because the Olympics don’t wait for anyone.

Previously on HockeyLatest

POLL
FEVRIER 3\|140 ANSWERS Team Canada replaces an injured forward with Sam Bennett and reopens the snub debate Should Zach Hyman have been on Team Canada over a depth forward?
Yes	94	67.1 %
No	46	32.9 %
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