The countdown to the 2027 NHL All-Star Game has started. Canada's first projected roster already includes a mix of NHL stars and young players with huge potential.

The event will take place on Feb. 5-6 at UBS Arena on Long Island. The NHL's new five-team international format will feature the best players in a three-on-three tournament. And the early projections are already generating a lot of discussion.

Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks and Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks are among the biggest names on the list. Many people see them as the future stars of Canadian hockey. They join veterans like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby on Canada's projected roster.

The nine projected skaters are Bedard, Celebrini, Crosby, Brandon Hagel, MacKinnon, Mitch Marner, McDavid, Cale Makar and Matthew Schaefer.

Each team will have 11 players, including nine skaters and two goalies. Fans will vote for eight players from a list of 30 nominees. The NHL and NHLPA will choose the final three spots — one forward, one defenseman and one goalie.

In its projection, NHL Media report said eight of the nine skater picks were chosen by every panel member. The last forward spot created some debate, but Brandon Hagel got the spot over Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele and Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna.

The report also explained that Matthew Schaefer earned his place because of his talent, not just because the All-Star Game will happen at his home arena. His selection shows Canada's mix of experienced legends and young rising stars.

Canada's depth leaves tough roster decisions ahead

The same NHL report also picked Jordan Binnington and Logan Thompson as Canada's two projected goalies. However, it said the position is still open because the fan vote will not start until December.

Binnington is the early favorite after his strong performances for Canada at the Winter Olympics and the 4 Nations Face-Off. Thompson also earned attention after a great season with the Washington Capitals.

The report added that Avalanche goalies Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood could compete for a spot if they have strong starts to the season.

Canada's forward group could also change before February, especially if 2026 first-overall pick Gavin McKenna quickly shows why he has high expectations.

The 2027 All-Star Game will have five teams — Canada, Finland, Sweden, the United States and a World team featuring players from other countries.

This will make roster spots more difficult to earn. While these projections are only early predictions, they show the incredible depth of Canadian hockey before the 2026-27 season.

There are still eight months left before the 2027 NHL All-Star Game, so many things can change. Injuries, breakout seasons, and fan voting could affect the final roster. But if these predictions become true, Canada could have one of the strongest All-Star teams in recent years.

What do you think? Will Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini join McDavid and MacKinnon as the new faces of Team Canada when the final roster is announced? Let us know in the comments. 

Read more at NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Kapil Manghnani brings over 4.5 years of experience in sports journalism, covering a wide range of sports, including Soccer, NHL, Tennis, Gymnastics, NASCAR, Swimming, and more. He has written for leading sports platforms, producing everything from breaking news and features to in-depth analysis, opinion pieces, long-form stories, and short-form content. Beyond articles, he has also scripted long-form storytelling videos for YouTube channels. His work focuses on delivering well-researched, engaging, and reader-first sports content across multiple formats.

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Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason