A closer look at the Olympic field as NHL stars fight for world glory
by T.R. Holler, Let’s Play Hockey
The Winter Games are in full swing with our USA Women’s Hockey Team off to a thunderous start as they fulfill their destiny to take on the Canadians in what should be an epic gold medal game. Just book your calendar now for this showdown on Thursday, February 19 at 12:10PM CST (TV network carrier TBD) as our Ladies of Liberty embark on a mission to further crush the Canadian spirit on heels of their 2025 World Championship thrilling 4-3 overtime victory.
Meanwhile, our Men’s USA Hockey Team will kick off preliminary rounds on Thursday, February 12 versus Latvia, followed by February 14 vs. Denmark and February 15 vs. Germany all at 2:10PM CST on USA Network. The boys should march through this slate like Julie Andrews running downhill amidst the Von Trapp wildflowers.
Then the path gets tougher rather quickly. The men’s road to Olympic gold is a crushing schedule that leaves little time to peruse the sartorial shops of Milan. You thought the recent NHL schedule was jam-packed? Our boys will play five Olympic games in six days!
The playoff round begins Tuesday, February 17 with the quarterfinals on Feb 18th and semifinals on February 20thviewable at 2:10PM CST, with network carriers TBD as of Monday, February 9th. These games and subsequent medal round games will presumably be carried on NBC Network.
The medal rounds will air Saturday, February 21 at 1:10PM CST with the Bronze medal and the gold medal game will air – get this – on Sunday, February 22 at 7:10AM CST (Network carrier TBD) that’s brutal. So, as a backup plan, get the DVR dialed in for what we predict to be our Star-Spangled Gents versus you guessed it, our recently not-so-friendly northern border bros, the Canadians.
How do we arrive here? One could just regurgitate the Four Nations endeavors of a year ago, but there is a sleeper or two in this 2026 Olympic mix that could stir the pot a bit. So, let’s take an educated guess at the 2026 Olympic gauntlet and see if the boys can MEPA? Huh, MEPA? You know, Make Eruzione Proud Again – for the first time in 46 years!
Now that the NHL players are BACK in the Olympics, multiple countries enter the fray as legit gold medal contenders. With NHL the players, the gap between these teams is razor-thin, opposed to the usually lopsided World Juniors, thus increasing the likelihood of high drama overtime tilts.
TOP CONTENDERS:
- Canada – Unmatched depth, physical & sustained forechecks, and elite two-way forwards with hyper-active 200 ft. stickwork. A blend of vets and a few newbies.
- United States – Young, high-end NHL talent with plenty of scoring punch, yet arguably still a bit undersized. Nearly identical roster that took 2nd place in 2025’s Four Nations losing to Canada in the final.
- Sweden – Historically structured defensive corps with solid net-front protection and precise breakouts sprinkled with its usual world-class goaltending.
- Finland – Disciplined deployment of smart, high-end facilitators and sound defenseman with new breed of goalie options. If you appreciate the Dallas Stars of recent years? Finland is YOUR team. Course, that’s a big IF here in Minny.
CANADA
Canadian depth is deep and unmatched and littered with elite veteran scoring talent and over the last decade plus they are hungry as ever for keeping the elite hockey hardware in their country. Canada will be ready from prelim games puck drop through to the end as a shoo-in for the gold medal game as they combine speed, skill, and experience better than anyone, even our beloved U.S. boys. (I loathe typing that, but dang it – it’s just the facts).
The Canuck lineup is without flaw in the likes of Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Conner McDavid, and Mitch Marner with grinders in Tommy Wilson, Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Bo Horvat. In addition, wunderkind superstar, Macklin Celebrini makes his Olympic debut and could be a difference maker late in games as the veteran’s tire late.
The Canadian D-corps is equally sublime in superstar, Cale Makar and Josh Morrissey, Shea Theodore, etc. In the pipes, one could argue the slight weak spot is in net with Logan Thompson and Darcy Keumper as both have struggled in last month+ of NHL action, yet they bring along Jordan Binnington who, even in a down year, is a true gamer when it matters most. So, there’s that. Odds-on fave to secure the Gold.
Canada Roster
| Shoots | Height | Weight | DOB | Hometown | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 |  | Travis Sanheim | Defence | L | 6’4 | 222 | 03-29-1996 | Elkhorn, MB | Philadelphia (NHL) |
| 7 |  | Devon Toews | Defence | L | 6’1 | 191 | 02-21-1994 | Abbotsford, BC | Colorado (NHL) |
| 8 |  | Cale Makar | Defence | R | 6’0 | 187 | 10-30-1998 | Calgary, AB | Colorado (NHL) |
| 9 |  | Sam Bennett | Forward | L | 6’1 | 193 | 06-20-1996 | Holland Landing, ON | Florida (NHL) |
| 10 |  | Nick Suzuki | Forward | R | 5’11 | 207 | 08-10-1999 | London, ON | Montreal (NHL) |
| 13 |  | Sam Reinhart | Forward | R | 6’1 | 196 | 11-06-1995 | West Vancouver, BC | Florida (NHL) |
| 14 |  | Bo Horvat | Forward | L | 6’1 | 215 | 04-05-1995 | London, ON | New York Islanders (NHL) |
| 17 |  | Macklin Celebrini | Forward | L | 6’0 | 190 | 06-13-2006 | Vancouver, BC | San Jose (NHL) |
| 20 |  | Thomas Harley | Defence | L | 6’3 | 211 | 08-19-2001 | Syracuse, NY | Dallas (NHL) |
| 24 |  | Seth Jarvis | Forward | R | 5’10 | 180 | 02-01-2002 | Winnipeg, MB | Carolina (NHL) |
| 27 |  | Shea Theodore | Defence | L | 6’2 | 197 | 08-03-1995 | Aldergrove, BC | Vegas (NHL) |
| 29 |  | Nathan MacKinnon | Forward | R | 6’0 | 200 | 09-01-1995 | Cole Harbour, NS | Colorado (NHL) |
| 38 |  | Brandon Hagel | Forward | L | 6’2 | 180 | 08-27-1998 | Morinville, AB | Tampa Bay (NHL) |
| 43 |  | Tom Wilson | Forward | R | 6’4 | 225 | 03-29-1994 | Toronto, ON | Washington (NHL) |
| 44 |  | Josh Morrissey | Defence | L | 6’0 | 195 | 03-28-1995 | Calgary, AB | Winnipeg (NHL) |
| 55 |  | Colton Parayko | Defence | R | 6’6 | 228 | 05-12-1993 | St. Albert, AB | St. Louis (NHL) |
| 61 |  | Mark Stone | Forward | R | 6’3 | 210 | 05-13-1992 | Winnipeg, MB | Vegas (NHL) |
| 63 |  | Brad Marchand | Forward | L | 5’9 | 176 | 05-11-1988 | Hammonds Plains, NS | Florida (NHL) |
| 87 |  | Sidney Crosby | Forward | L | 5’11 | 200 | 08-07-1987 | Cole Harbour, NS | Pittsburgh (NHL) |
| 89 |  | Drew Doughty | Defence | R | 6’1 | 210 | 12-08-1989 | London, ON | Los Angeles (NHL) |
| 93 |  | Mitch Marner | Forward | R | 6’0 | 180 | 05-05-1997 | Thornhill, ON | Vegas (NHL) |
| 97 |  | Connor McDavid | Forward | L | 6’1 | 194 | 01-13-1997 | Newmarket, ON | Edmonton (NHL) |
| Catches | Height | Weight | DOB | Hometown | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 |  | Darcy Kuemper | Goaltender | L | 6’5 | 215 | 05-05-1990 | Saskatoon, SK | Los Angeles (NHL) |
| 48 |  | Logan Thompson | Goaltender | R | 6’4 | 207 | 02-25-1997 | Calgary, AB | Washington (NHL) |
| 50 |  | Jordan Binnington | Goaltender | L | 6’2 | 172 | 07-11-1993 | Richmond Hill, ON | St. Louis (NHL) |
UNITED STATES
The United States is stacked and not all that far in the Canucks rearview mirror. Billy Guerin, GM of the MN Wild and this U.S. men’s hockey team adopted the Herb Brooks approach in selecting “the right players over the best players” opting for chemistry and strategic role-playing. However, although it was stated by Guerin that he wanted a heavy checking team there are still a handful of Smurfy players that may struggle versus Sweden and especially the Canadians heavier, longer players.
The ’Mericans are loaded with scoring talent in Matt Boldy, Kyle Connor, Jack Eichel, and Austin Matthews and two-way depth players with Dylan Larkin, J.T. Miller, Vinny Trocheck and the ever-gritty, now healthy Tkachuk brothers. The U.S. has a bevy of young, dynamic defensive talent Quinn Hughes, Brock Faber, and Charlie McAvoy with the burgeoning star offensive-defenseman in Zach Werenski. Personally, my favorite shutdown defender is the unsung Jacob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes. Slavin is a smooth, four-way skater, disciplined in his gaps and the ultimate neutralizer. Give Slavin a special watch and you’ll appreciate the nuance he brings to the game. The talent and depth for the Americans is present, but where they really shine is in net; Connor Hellebuyck, Jeremy Swayman, and Jake Oettinger arguably form the top trio in the Milan games. Just one needs to get hot and stay hot, so we shall see how they persevere over those five games in six days stretch.
TEAM USA Roster
NO. | FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | POS | HT (CM) | WT (KG) | BIRTHDATE | S/C | HOMETOWN | MOST RECENT TEAM (LEAGUE) | U.S. COLLEGE (LEAGUE) (IF APPLICABLE) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91 | Clayton | Keller | F | 5-10 (178) | 175 (79) | 7/29/98 | L | St. Louis Mo. | Utah Mammoth (NHL) | Boston University (Hockey East) |
| 86 | Jack | Hughes | F | 5-11 (180) | 175 (80) | 5/14/01 | L | Canton, Mich. | New Jersey Devils (NHL) | |
| 85 | Jake | Sanderson | D | 6-2 (188) | 202 (91) | 7/8/02 | L | Whitefish, Mont. | Ottawa Senators (NHL) | University of North Dakota (NCHC) |
| 81 | Kyle | Connor | F | 6-1 (185) | 183 (83) | 12/9/96 | L | Shelby Township, Mich. | Winnipeg Jets (NHL) | University of Michigan (Big Ten) |
| 74 | Jaccob | Slavin | D | 6-3 (191) | 207 (95) | 5/1/94 | L | Erie, Colo. | Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) | Colorado College (NCHC) |
| 72 | Tage | Thompson | F | 6-6 (198) | 220 (100) | 10/30/97 | R | Orange, Conn. | Buffalo Sabres (NHL) | University of Connecticut (Hockey East) |
| 59 | Jake | Guentzel | F | 5-11 (180) | 176 (80) | 10/6/94 | L | Woodbury, Minn. | Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) | University of Nebraska Omaha (NCHC) |
| 43 | Quinn | Hughes | D | 5-10 (178) | 180 (82) | 10/14/99 | L | Canton, Mich. | Minnesota Wild (NHL) | University of Michigan (Big Ten) |
| 37 | Connor | Hellebuyck | G | 6-4 (193) | 207 (95) | 5/19/93 | L | Commerce, Mich. | Winnipeg Jets (NHL) | University of Massachusetts Lowell (Hockey East) |
| 34 | Auston | Matthews (C) | F | 6-3 (191) | 215 (98) | 9/17/97 | L | Scottsdale, Ariz. | Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) | |
| 30 | Jake | Oettinger | G | 6-6 (198) | 225 (102) | 12/18/98 | L | Lakeville, Minn. | Dallas Stars (NHL) | Boston University (Hockey East) |
| 29 | Brock | Nelson | F | 6-4 (193) | 205 (93) | 10/15/91 | L | Warroad, Minn. | Colorado Avalance (NHL) | University of North Dakota (WCHA) |
| 25 | Charlie | McAvoy (A) | D | 6-1 (185) | 211 (96) | 12/21/97 | R | Long Beach, N.Y. | Boston Bruins (NHL) | Boston University (Hockey East) |
| 21 | Dylan | Larkin | F | 6-1 (185) | 204 (92) | 7/30/96 | L | Waterford, Mich. | Detroit Red Wings (NHL) | University of Michigan (Big Ten) |
| 19 | Matthew | Tkachuk (A) | F | 6-2 (188) | 202 (91) | 12/11/97 | L | St. Louis, Mo. | Florida Panthers (NHL) | |
| 16 | Vincent | Trocheck | F | 5-11 (180) | 187 (85) | 7/11/93 | R | Pittsburgh, Pa. | New York Rangers (NHL) | |
| 15 | Noah | Hanifin | D | 6-3 (191) | 206 (93) | 1/25/97 | L | Norwood, Mass. | Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) | Boston College (Hockey East) |
| 14 | Brock | Faber | D | 6-1 (185) | 200 (91) | 8/22/02 | R | Maple Grove, Minn. | Minnesota Wild (NHL) | University of Minnesota (Big Ten) |
| 12 | Matt | Boldy | F | 6-2 (188) | 201 (91) | 4/5/01 | L | Millis, Mass. | Minnesota Wild (NHL) | Boston College (Hockey East) |
| 10 | J.T. | Miller | F | 6-1 (185) | 211 (96) | 3/14/93 | L | East Palestine, Ohio | New York Rangers (NHL) | |
| 9 | Jack | Eichel | F | 6-2 (188) | 208 (94) | 10/28/96 | R | North Chelmsford, Mass. | Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) | Boston University (Hockey East) |
| 8 | Zach | Werenski | D | 6-2 (188) | 214 (97) | 7/19/97 | L | Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. | Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) | University of Michigan (Big Ten) |
| 7 | Brady | Tkachuk | F | 6-4 (193) | 226 (103) | 9/16/99 | L | St. Louis, Mo. | Ottawa Senators (NHL) | Boston University (Hockey East) |
| 2 | Jackson | LaCombe | D | 6-2 (188) | 205 (93) | 1/9/01 | L | Eden Prairie, Minn. | Anaheim Ducks (NHL) | University of Minnesota (Big Ten) |
| 1 | Jeremy | Swayman | G | 6-3 (191) | 195 (88) | 11/24/98 | L | Anchorage, Alaska | Boston Bruins (NHL |
THE PURSUING PACK
SWEDEN & FINLAND
Sweden and Finland remain bone-fide contenders, both equally capable of surprise upsets, yet both enter the Olympics with cause for concern.
Neither squad made convincing statements nor instilled fear at the 2025 Four Nations Tournament. Sweden leaned on its typically stellar defensive structuring, while Finland leaned on depth and clock-eating possessions as a strategy. Both were competitive, but neither separated itself from top-tier opponents who juxtaposed themselves as nasty dogs and funky kings in pursuit of the gold hardware.
Finland is basically a road team of Dallas Stars in Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz and D-men Esa Lindell and Miro Heiskanen backed up in the twine by Joonas Korpisalo, Kevin Lankinen, and Juuse ‘No Goals’ Saros.
Sweden has an eerily similar roster to the U.S. with scoring punch, balanced two-way players and crafty, young defenseman who can both lock down and provide blue line scoring, especially on the power play in the likes of the Rasmus boys, Dahlin and Andersson and in vets Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Swedes will deploy Jesper Bratt, Joel Eriksson-Ek, Filip Forsberg, Adrian Kempe, Elias Pettersson, Mika Zibanejad and sparkplug agitator, Lucas Raymond. Lastly, in net you have Team Minnesota Wild with Filip Gustavsson and Jesper ‘Pink Floyd’ Wallstedt, and savvy vet Jakob Markstrom.
That said, writing either of these Scandinavian squads off is not advised. I wouldn’t bet on the gold for either, but a medal to take home? Sure. And one could be silver, especially for the Swedes.
SLEEPER:
CZECHIA
Yes, there are some depth concerns for Czechia, but they are grinders, your lunch-pail crew that works their tail off, commits to team defense and protecting the net front, clearing the lanes for prime netminder vision. They will be fun to watch and could slip into the medal round fighting like H for a bronze. Take these boys lightly and you will pay.
Tomas Hertl, Ondrej Kase, Radek Faksa, and the blazing Martin Necas and super sniper David Pastrnak can be lamplighters like few others. They get hot and with veteran blue line patrolmen in Radko Gudas, Filip Hronek, and Jan Rutta you are facing pure strength and grit, and most of all pride. Get past that wall of experience and you’ll face rising, NHL-proven talent and currently hot netminders in Lukas Dostal and Karej Vejmelka from Anaheim and Utah, respectively. Depth goalie is journeyman game-stealer, Dan Vladar.
GOLD MEDAL GAME PREDICTION: USA VS. CANADA
The Gold medal game will provide what hockey fans desire – a rematch of the 2025 Four Nations Final and obvious bragging rights: Canada vs. the United States.
It will be electric from puck drop and physically demanding with Canada setting the tone. The U.S. speed and skill will keep it close, but by the mid third period, Canada’s depth and firepower will begin to overpower the Stars and Stripes. The U.S. pulls the goalie early while trailing 4–2 and will spark late heroics and inspire a sleepy Sunday morning nation in the U.S. cutting it to 4-3. But ultimately, at 1:30 remaining and the U.S. still with a pulled goalie it backfires – as only Brad ‘The Rat’ Marchand can do, chewing on the vulcanized rubber before lasering it into the empty goal, assisted by Sidney Crosby in a game sealing ENG as Canada claims gold with the 5-3 vic.
Final Score: Canada 5 / USA 3
Wah-wah. But it was a helluva ride, boys!
*T.R. Holler is a regional scout for Red Line Report and area scout for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL.
