The last time NHL players competed on the world stage: the Xbox One had just come out, the Chicago Blackhawks were defending Stanley Cup champions, and Macklin Celebrini was eight years old.
The NHLers did not travel to PyeongChang in 2018 due to various issues such as disputes with the IOC, along with a lack of desire to pause the season. The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing took place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, so players didn’t travel for the big games once again.
Finally, thanks to more favorable time zones, along with an agreement with the IOC, NHLers will return to the Five Rings in Milan, Italy. We will see several notable players from 2014 return, such as Sidney Crosby (Canada), Viktor Hedman (Sweden), and Drew Doughty (Canada). More excitingly, we have a plethora of new talent that will take the world stage for the first time.
It’s time for a full in-depth preview for all 12 teams entering the 2026 Winter Olympics, including our predictions at the end.
Canada
The last time NHL players were playing in the Olympic games, we saw team Canada take home their ninth Gold Medal in the Sport. With the NHLers coming back to the Olympic games, we also see the return of Sidney Crosby, the captain of Team Canada. There are also a lot of new and exciting faces when it comes to this year's team. We see players like Macklin Celebrini, Cale Maker, and Connor McDavid make their Olympic debut in this year's games.
Canada sends a really talented and stacked roster to Milan, looking to bring home a gold medal back to the True North. Canada's offense is filled with amazing young talent which led them to winning the 4 Nations Face-Off last year. However, there are problems that I see with this version of team Canada, particularly on the bluelines and in net. Compared to the other countries, Canada really lacks in the pipes, especially with Jordan Binnington having a down year in St Louis. Compared to the 2014 and 2010 teams, Canada lacks defensively. However, if Canada can fill the nets, I can see them bringing home another gold medal.
Czechia
The Czechs enter the 2026 Olympics with the best medal odds of the non 4 Nations Face-Off teams. Despite having the ageless Jaromir Jagr on the 2014 squad, Czechia lost in the quarterfinals to the United States. They have not had much success in the last two Olympics, and finished in a mere ninth in Beijing in 2022. However, I believe that this Czech team is the most equipped to have Olympic success in quite some time. They have proven in the past that they can do it. Back in 1998, the Czechs took home the gold medal in Japan, eliminating the U.S., Canada and Russia along the way.
David Pastrňák headlines the group the Czechs are sending to Milan. “Pasta” has been one of the NHL’s most consistent wingers over the last decade. This will be the first time he will get to represent his country as a pro on the world stage. Martin Nečas is another massive piece for Czechia, as he has had a breakout season in Colorado. They also have two returners from 2014 in Ondřej Palát and Radko Gudas. However, I believe the real Czech calling card is their goaltending. Dan Vladař has been outstanding in Philadelphia this year. Even if he struggles, they can turn to Karel Vejmelka or Lukáš Dostál, two other proven NHL goaltenders. I think Czechia is by far Canada’s biggest challenger in Group A.
Denmark
In 2014, Denmark did not qualify for the Olympics. The Danish then proceeded to make their Olympic debut in Beijing in 2022. They are looking to capture their first medal this year in Milan. Denmark is entering this tournament as a huge underdog in Group C with the Americans and the Germans standing in their way. Denmark, in my opinion, led by all star Nikolaj Ehlers, could be a surprising pick to sneak into the knockout round.
This year's Denmark team has a lot of work to do to knock off the U.S. and Germany. Most of their offensive production will come from their top line of Ehlers, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Lars Eller. They lack a lot on the backline not having a lot of NHL caliber defensemen. If they want to compete with the major countries in their groups, veteran goalie Frederik Andersen has to step up and play at an elite level.
France
For the first time since the year of 2002, France has qualified for the Olympics. In 2002, France finished the Olympics in 14th place. Safe to say they have no returning players from that 2002 team. This year, they return to the Olympics looking to bring home glory to their country. France enters this year's tournament led by their only NHL player, Alexandre Texier, and former NHL player, Pierre-Édouard Bellemare.
France is in a very difficult group with Canada, Switzerland, and Czechia. A lot has to go right for the French to make it out of their group, such as Capitals prospect Antoine Keller playing out of his mind and finding scoring from their young core. Like in 2002, I don’t see France making it very far in this year's Olympics. I see them fishing fourth in group play, and if they find a way to win a game or two, the country of France should be proud.
Finland
Finland is looking to repeat as gold medal winners, as they won it all in Beijing in 2022. This time, Finland is coming into the Olympics with a whole new supporting cast. The MVP of the 2022 Olympics, Valtteri Filppula, will be taking a back seat due to the NHL players returning to the Olympics. The last time the NHLers went to the Olympics, Finland took home a Bronze Medal. Two players are returning from that bronze medal winning team, forward Mikael Granlund and defenseman Olli Määttä. One key player from that 2014 team that won’t be on the ice for team Finland this year is Aleksander Barkov. Barkov played such a key role in the 4 Nations Face-Off last year for Finland and his absence is a big one for this year's team.
When you look at this year's team, they have a very elite forward core which is led by Mikko Rantanen and Sebastian Aho. Finland's forward core has a nice mix of young pieces and veteran experience. As for Finland's defensive core, it is very lackluster, with Miro Heiskanen being the lone game changer on the defense. In net, Finland is going to be relying heavily on goalie Juuse Saros to switch the clock back. However, if Saros can find his game, and if they can find scoring from their forward core, I can see Finland working their way to another medal.
Germany
What an exciting time to see Germany have a legitimate shot against the world’s best. They didn’t qualify the last time the NHLers played in the Five Rings. That being said, they did secure a silver medal at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang. While Germany doesn’t have the quantity of NHL players it used to have, the quality of the talent is the best it’s ever been.
The headlining piece for the Germans is Leon Draisaitl, one of the five best players in the world. Draisaitl took home the 2020 Hart Trophy, and is the best passer in the league today. He is joined on the Germany team by young Senators center Tim Stützle and productive veteran J.J. Peterka. If those three play together on the same line, it could be one of the best frontlines in the entire competition. Germany also has a proven NHL goaltender in Philipp Grubauer. Germany definitely has a shot in Group C if the United States struggles. Along with the Czechs, I think they have the best shot of the teams who didn’t compete in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Italy
The last time Italy competed in the Olympics was 2006 in Turin. Sure enough, 20 years later, their return to the Olympics will also take place at home, this time in Milan. The only reason Italy is competing in the Olympics is because they are the host nation. However, as we have seen with other worldwide events, being the home team can sometimes be a massive advantage. Remember back in 2018, when a Russia soccer team given no chance before the World Cup made it to the quarterfinals in their home country?
Italy is the only team that will not feature a single player from the National Hockey League. That being said, they do have an NHL prospect on the roster in goalie Damian Clara, who was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2023 NHL Draft. Clara has the opportunity to prove to the Ducks why they took a chance on it, and a chance to prove to the league that Italians are worthy of being a part of the NHL.
Latvia
Latvia has consistently made the Olympics, making it in five of their last six attempts. That being said, they don’t exactly have the talent level that NHL loaded teams do. Latvia’s best finish in an Olympics was in Sochi in 2014 when they finished eight. However, I believe that 2026 has the potential to be Latvia’s best performance ever in the Five Rings.
They have the claim of two rock solid goaltenders from the NHL ranks. Both Artūrs Šilovs and Elvis Merzļikins have been up-and-down this season, but both have shown the potential to be top tier goaltenders. This especially goes for Merzļikins, who had a save percentage of .900 or better in each of his first three seasons. Latvia also has four NHLers elsewhere, with forward Teddy Blueger of the Vancouver Canucks headlining the supporting cast.
Slovakia
Slovakia is entering the Olympics with the eighth best odds to win and bring home a gold medal. This Slovakia team is led by former first overall pick Juraf Slafkovský and the only returning player from the 2014 Slovakia Olympic team, Tomas Tatar. Slovakia is a very underrated team with a very young core. The defensive core is the best part of this Slovakia team, led by three NHL defensemen: Simon Nemec, Martin Fehérváry, and Erik Cernak. In net, they have a very young goaltending core with Blackhawks prospect Adam Gajan who is only 21 years old and Wild prospect Samuel Hlavaj who is 24 years old.
The way I really see Slovakia making it out of group play is if they outplay team Finland and team Sweden which is not impossible but it is very hard when you are a young hockey team. If they do, it will be on the back of Slafkovsky and one of these young goaltenders. They also have host country Italy in their group so I could very much see Slovakia getting third or fourth in Group B.
Sweden
Led by co-captains Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall, Sweden was the runner up to Canada in Sochi in 2014. Sweden has asserted themselves as a hockey powerhouse, finishing in the top five of every Olympics they’ve competed in, including two gold medals. Led by Zetterberg, Peter Forsberg, the Sedin twins, and Henrik Lundquist, Sweden captured the goal medal in Turin in 2006.
You can make a legitimate argument that Sweden has the most balanced roster of any team entering Milan. The forward group showcases tremendous veteran experience. William Nylander, Jesper Bratt and Lucas Raymond will headline one of the best offensive attacks in the Olympics. The defense core is led by Sabres star Rasmus Dahlin and Lightning captain Viktor Hedman. Gustav Forsling won’t provide much offense, but he is one of the best defensive blueliners in the game. They also lay claim to the elite goaltending tandem for the Minnesota Wild, as Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt are both representing Sweden. If Sweden lives up to their potential, they have as good a chance as anyone to bring home the gold medal.
Switzerland
Switzerland is returning to the Olympics, led by Captain Roman Josi, who was a key part of their 2014 Olympic team. Switzerland's main source of offense will come from Kevin Fiala, Timo Meier, and Nico Hischier. Their lineup is filled with a lot of NHL veterans mixed in with younger tools that can help Switzerland upset some of the bigger countries in the tournament. When you look at Switzerland's defense, of course you look at Josi, but they also have Jonas Siegenthaler and Janis Moser to help provide some much needed depth to the bluelines. In net, they will be relying heavily on Golden Knight’s goalie Akira Schmid, who has shown in past playoffs that he can play in big situations.
So when looking at team Switzerland, I see an amazing young core that could potentially give Canada a run for their money in Group A play. For me, the only way I could see that happening is if Akira Schmid plays like he did in the 2023 NHL playoffs and they find scoring outside from their first line. I believe that team Switzerland is a very sneaky team that Canada should not take lightly in group play.
United States
The United States came incredibly close to upsetting Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off last February, taking the champions to overtime in the championship game. However, deja vu struck for the United States, as Connor McDavid’s goal sunk the hearts of the Americans, just as Sidney Crosby’s “golden goal” did in 2010 in Vancouver. The U.S. is looking for their first gold medal since the world famous 1980 team secured gold at Lake Placid.
The real headliner for the U.S. will be the defenseman. Quinn Hughes and Zach Werenski are two of the five best blueliners in the league today, and it is a toss up as to who will be quarterbacking the top power play group. Jaccob Slavin was the best player for Team U.S.A at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Brock Faber and Jake Sanderson are rising stars on their respective teams, and Charlie McAvoy’s physicality provides another difficult element for opposing offenses to overcome. The United States also has a nice blend of forwards, with big, physical power forwards such as the Tkachuk brothers and Tage Thompson, along with gifted offensive players in Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel. However, the success for this U.S. team in the Olympics will come down to goaltending. Connor Hellebuyck, Jeremy Swayman, and Jake Oettinger all have significant playoff experience, but can Mike Sullivan rely on any of the three to be consistent over this brutal two week stretch against this level of competition?
Finals Predictions
With the nuts and bolts of every team having been assessed, it’s time for our predictions as to who’s taking home the gold medal in Milan. Here are our gold medal game predictions:
Noah: Canada over United States
Jack: United States over Sweden
