Team Canada's Projected 2027 NHL All-Star Roster Blends Legends With Rising Stars

Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard skates against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on April 4, 2026. Photo by Jenn G.

Written by Gina Anton

The 2027 NHL All-Star Game is still eight months away, but one thing is already becoming clear: Team Canada's future has officially arrived.

Following the unveiling of the 2027 Honda NHL All-Star Game logo earlier this month, NHL.com released its first projected roster for Team Canada ahead of the international-style tournament at UBS Arena in February. While the lineup still features franchise icons like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby and Cale Makar, it's the younger names that stand out.

Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer all made the early projection, a sign that Canada's next generation is already earning its place alongside some of the game's biggest stars.

Schaefer's inclusion is particularly telling. After an outstanding rookie season with the New York Islanders, the 19-year-old is being viewed as one of Canada's top defensemen, not simply because the event will be held at his home arena, but because he's quickly becoming one of the NHL's brightest young stars.

The only real question mark among the skaters is Brandon Hagel, who claimed the final forward spot over Mark Scheifele and 2026 first-overall pick Gavin McKenna. If McKenna lives up to the hype, that race could look very different by December when fan voting begins.

Jordan Binnington and Logan Thompson round out the early roster projections in goal, though Canada's crease remains one of the biggest storylines to watch entering the season.

There is still plenty of hockey to be played before the 2027 All-Star Game arrives. But if this early projection is any indication, Team Canada won't just be relying on its established superstars, it'll be showcasing the next generation that's ready to lead the way.