Will Tom Wilson Face Suspension After Olympic Ejection versus France? 

It was the exact moment every detractor feared when the Team Canada roster was announced in December. Tom Wilson, arguably the most polarizing selection for Team Canada’s 2026 Olympic squad, was ejected from today's game following a fight with France’s Pierre Crinon. Wilson was ejected from the game and awarded a match penalty, Canadian fans are now holding their breath as we await a ruling from the IIHF Disciplinary Committee, which could result in a potential suspension for Wilson. 

With the next game looming, Canada has already won Group A going 3-0 with a combined 20 goals for and only 3 against, but up next is the knockout round. Canada will skip the qualifying round and receive a bye into the Quarterfinals on February 18th. However, now questions will surface on whether Wilson will be available to the team. After initially resisting the fight Wilson’s biggest mistake comes after the players were initially separated, he forced his away around the linesman to reengage, something heavily frowned upon by the IIHF, who views fighting as not a part of the International game. 

After a strong group stage questions once again arise, does Tom Wilson’s style of play help this team, or is it a liability we can't afford on the international stage? Especially when he loses his temper against an opponent like France, who doesn’t have any chance of a medal. 

The "I Told You So" Moment for Critics

When Doug Armstrong and the management group included Wilson on the final roster, the rationale was clear: Canada needed "grit." They needed a physical deterrent to create space for the likes of Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini. Wilson, playing some of the best hockey of his career with the Capitals, fit the mold of a modern power forward who could skate with the elite.

But the fan reaction was mixed, to say the least.

Social media and sports talk radio were flooded with concerns that Wilson’s NHL history, punctuated by multiple suspensions, could be a liability with the stricter officiating standards of IIHF hockey. Critics argued that his "edge" was a ticking time bomb in a short tournament where a single five-minute major or game misconduct could cost Canada a medal.

Today, those critics are having their "I told you so" moment. 

The Lineup Shuffle: Who Replaces Wilson?

If the IIHF hands down a suspension, Head Coach Jon Cooper has a massive hole to fill.

Wilson wasn't just buried on the fourth line; he had been effectively riding shotgun on the top unit with Connor McDavid, providing the muscle and retrieval skills to let the superstars operate. Losing him means breaking up a line that was beginning to find serious chemistry.

Option 1: The Skill Upgrade

The most obvious move is to slide Mitch Marner or Sam Reinhart up to the top line. Marner has a history of magic with McDavid, and his playmaking ability would give that line a different, albeit less physical, dynamic. Reinhart, coming off a 50-goal pedigree, would turn that line into a pure finishing threat, though they would sacrifice the forechecking terror Wilson provides.

Option 2: The Defensive Safety Valve

If Cooper wants to maintain a two-way conscience on that line, Mark Stone is the premium option. While he doesn't have Wilson's speed or pure aggression, Stone’s hockey IQ is unmatched. He can retrieve pucks just as well as Wilson, just via stick lifts rather than body checks.

Option 3: The "Next Man Up"

With Wilson out, the 13th forward draws in. Team Canada could opt to increase the role of either Seth Jarvis or Bo Horvat, or simply insert Brad Marchand back into the lineup in Wilson’s role. In a single elimination situation having to make this decision comes with a ton of pressure. 

The Verdict Looms

The impact of this ejection may go beyond one player. It may force Team Canada to look in the mirror and ask if the "identity" they built this roster around, skill blended with heavy grit, is sustainable under the microscope of Olympic officiating.

For now, we wait for the ruling. But for Tom Wilson and the management team that vouched for him, the pressure has never been higher. The next game isn't just about advancing; it's about proving that the gamble on grit didn't just cost Canada its composure.

Update: Both players have avoided additional punishment