Patrick Roy hopes this Islanders forwards goes to Milan

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan have been on hockey fans' minds for a while. After the success and popularity of the Four Nations Face Off, many fans are eagerly awaiting watching international hockey again. Not only are fans excited to see the country face off, but to watch their favorite players represent their home country. Many New York Islanders fans are hoping to see a few of their players suit up in Milan this year.

One player generating a lot of buzz about a potential trip to the Olympics is Bo Horvat. In 16 games this season, Horvat has registered 12 goals and eight assists for 20 points. His goal total is tied with Cole Caufield for the second most in the league. This hot start has many believing he has a chance of making the Canadian Olympic roster. This includes head coach Patrick Roy, who believes Horvat has made a really good impression and should be included on the roster. But can Horvat play this well for Team Canada?

Can Bo Horvat be a difference maker with Team Canada

This would not be the first time that Horvat has suited up for Team Canada. He has played in 34 international games at both the senior and junior levels. In this time, he has racked up 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points. He even played for Team Canada in the 2025 World Cup of Hockey, which saw Canada get eliminated in the quarterfinals. During this run, he played in six games, recording four goals and four assists for a total of eight points.

It's also likely that Horvat can bring his hot start to Team Canada. While his performance may vary with different line mates, his metrics suggest that he can maintain this level of offensive production. According to Natural Stat Trick, Horvat has a Corsi percentage of 60.49% and an xG percentage of 56.21%. This shows that Horvat is generating these offensive chances, and his stats are not the result of luck.

With Horvat having a strong offensive season, he'll likely find a spot on the Team Canada roster. The only question is who he will replace. According to Daily Faceoff, the current center group for Team Canada is Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Anthony Cirelli, and Nick Suzuki. Obviously, he's not replacing McDavid or MacKinnon, and Suzuki is third in the league in assists. However, Cirelli has not been lighting up the league, allowing an opportunity for Horvat to take his spot.

Now Horvat does not have to play center, as he could slide over to forward during the tournament. However, Team Canada needs to find a spot for Horvat on the roster. If Team Canada wants to get back on the podium and go for the Gold Medal, Horvat needs to play a significant role for the team.