NHL Analyst Thinks Two Montreal Canadiens Will Make Team Canada In Return Of Best On Best Hockey

The Montreal Canadiens are not exactly the first team that jumps into mind when you hear the phrase "best on best." However, a couple of Canadiens players could be suiting up when hockey finally gets back to the bright lights of international hockey.

The last time the top players in the world all faced off against each other was the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price proved to be the best player in the world at that time and Canada won it all. He also was sensational at the most recent Olympics that featured NHL players, back in 2014 as he helped lead Canada to a gold medal.

We have not seen an international tournament in nearly a decade, but there are two on the horizon. First, an NHL hosted 4 Nations Face Off will take place next February and then NHL players will finally return to the Olympics in 2026.

Though the Canadiens are not among the top teams in the league this season, there are some players who could very well be representing their countries at these events.

One prominent hockey analyst believes that two Canadiens could be on Team Canada when we finally see the best players from the country form a team once again.

Kevin Bieksa of Sportsnet was on Hockey Night In Canada recently and showed his choices for Team Canada. Included on the list were center Nick Suzuki as well as goaltender Sam Montembeault.

With so many centers available to Team Canada, it is quite an accomplishment for Suzuki to even be mentioned among those players who could make the team. He is having a career year right now with 20 goals and 53 points in 55 games.

Montembeault is a bit of a surprise addition but there are not a lot of options in goal for Canada. Montembeault has been fine, posting a 3.21 GAA and a .903 SV% but is not in the running for the Vezina Trophy. However, there aren't any slam dunk options like there always were at past tournaments.

There is a long way to go before we get to an actual international event, but it is interesting to see a couple of Canadiens on the short list to represent Canada once again.