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Two Team Canada players are facing heavy criticism


Julien Trekker
Feb 20, 2026  (11:58)
Jan 16, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) and Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) look on against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

The honeymoon phase for Team Canada at the Milano Cortina Olympics is officially over. Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett find themselves under a microscope as the pressure of the elimination rounds reaches a boiling point.

Head coach Jon Cooper has a roster loaded with talent, but his Florida Panthers duo is failing to deliver.
Fans have been ruthless across social media. They have been vocal about their disappointment, with some even calling them "beer league guys".
Considering the two players had big roles in the Panthers' back-to-back Stanley Cups, it's surprising and disappointing.

Bennett and Reinhart Under Heavy Criticism

After a regular season where he tallied 57 goals two years ago, Reinhart has been virtually invisible in Italy. Career-wise, he is known for his elite finishing, yet he remains pointless through the most crucial stretch of the tournament.
Then there is the Bennett problem. His physical style is often a weapon, but his antics are backfiring on the world stage. In the semifinal matchup against Finland, a reckless collision with Juuse Saros proved disastrous.
The play directly led to Canada conceding the opening goal of the game. For a team missing Sidney Crosby due to injury, they cannot afford these mental lapses. Bennett was a late addition to this roster, and many are now questioning whether he belongs in the lineup at all.
Critics argue that his "pest" identity doesn't translate to the Olympic format. Instead of drawing penalties, he is putting his own team at a disadvantage.
Here are a few comments found online:
Bennett, 29, scored one assist in three games so far, while Reinhart scored two points, including one goal in the semifinal agaisnt Team Finland.
The numbers don't lie. With zero goals between them and a mounting list of mistakes, the two Panthers are struggling. Canada’s gold medal hopes are dangling by a thread, and they need their NHL stars to wake up immediately.
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Two Team Canada players are facing heavy criticism

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