/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn-tor.buminteractif.com%2F2026%2F02%2F05223118%2FSuzuki-1-1-1.jpg)
Bad news for Brayden Point.
The Lightning forward was injured in a game last week. And the worst-case scenario has just come true for him…
Point will have to give up on participating in the Olympics with Team Canada. This is obviously a huge disappointment for him… and the player is devastated by what is happening right now, as Julien BriseBois mentioned to Pierre LeBrun:
From Lightning GM Julien BriseBois via text message on how crushing this is for Brayden Point:
“Devastating. Incredible selflessness on his part (and Cirelli's). They could have pushed to play at less than 100%, but showed character of the highest order in giving up their…
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 5, 2026
Seth Jarvis will replace Point in Milan. And, indirectly… that also involves Nick Suzuki.
Why do I say that?
Because, in reality, Point was likely going to play an important role on Team Canada. Someone will have to be found to fill a similar role… and that's where the name of the Canadiens' captain comes back into the discussion.
Suzuki, like Point, plays center. He's responsible for the entire 200 feet of the rink and can produce offensively, as is also the case with Point…
Oh, and let's not forget that Anthony Cirelli (another center) has given up his spot to Sam Bennett. That could also help Suzuki:
Seth Jarvis added to the Canadian Olympic squad, but Nick Suzuki feels like the most suitable replacement for what Brayden Point could bring. I think the door just opened for the Canadiens' captain to fill a bigger role than he might've initially been designated.
That said, feel…— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) February 5, 2026
I'm not saying that Nick Suzuki will automatically play on the first line with Point out.
But… it does mean that Suzuki's role could become more important as well. I feel like we could see him on the penalty kill, and I tend to believe that there's a world in which Suzuki can make his mark on the powerplay.
Especially with Brayden Point out of the competition.
We've been talking about the Olympics and NHL player participation for a long time, but it's finally coming.
In exactly one week, on Thursday, February 12, Canada will kick off its tournament against the Czech Republic. The game will be broadcast at 10:40 a.m., and honestly, I can't wait for it to start.
I can't wait to see what the Canadiens have in store. But with the loss of Point and Cirelli, it could be more complicated than expected for Canada…
Overtime
– That's a good one.
Should've been Veleno to win faceoffs in the D zone, but hey, can't have everything I guess https://t.co/XbhVk2zyuW
— HFTV (@HFTVSports) February 5, 2026
– What a great hockey player.
At the Four Nations, Aleksander Barkov led Team Finland per game at even-strength in:
• scoring chances
• inner-slot shots
• inner-slot goals
• passes to the slot
• pre-shot passes
• pass receptions
• plus/minus
• wrist shots
• faceoffs and faceoffs won
• defensive… pic.twitter.com/1YADEPtLIl— Big Head Hockey (@bigheadhockey) February 5, 2026
– Well done.
The @MTLAlouettes announce the contract extension of receiver Régis Cibasu @TVASports
This will be his sixth season with the Als
— Mathieu Bédard (@MatBedardTva) February 5, 2026
– What do we think?
The last NHL Power Rankings before #MilanoCortina2026
pic.twitter.com/BaQdFxIxDK
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 5, 2026
