Lapsed fan’s guide to the Olympic men’s hockey tournament

The men’s ice hockey tournament for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics kicks off on Wednesday with the round-robin stage, marking the NHL players’ return to the Winter Games for the first time since 2014.

This guide is for hardcore hockey fans and those Olympic followers wondering, “Who is Tkachuk?”

What brings NHL players back to the Olympics?

The NHL started sending players to the Winter Olympics in 1998, coincidentally aligning with Canada securing three gold medals since then, a feat they hadn’t achieved at all since 1952. Their last gold was earned during the Sochi Games in 2014, the same year NHL players last participated in the Olympics.

For years, the NHL and its players have clashed over Olympic involvement. Players are eager to represent their nations in this historic global sporting event, inspired by past moments like the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980. yet, NHL owners are hesitant about pausing their regular season and lending their players to an IOC that doesn’t share revenues or provide any financial incentives to the league. still, to promote the sport’s growth, the NHL has agreed to participate, albeit with certain exceptions.

The league opted out of the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang due to new terms with the IOC and the strong opposition from “the overwhelming majority of our clubs” to disrupting the regular season, according to commissioner Gary Bettman, who was also looking for concessions from the NHL Players Association. NHL owners were against halting the season for South Korea, a market they didn’t see as crucial for global expansion.

Disheartened by this choice, the NHLPA included a provision in their 2020 collective bargaining agreement, ensuring player participation in the 2022 and 2026 Olympics. The condition for the 2022 Beijing Games hinged on whether the previous NHL season was significantly disrupted by COVID-19. Eventually, after numerous postponements, the NHL and NHLPA decided to hold players back from the Beijing Games.

Luc Tardif, president of the International Ice Hockey Federation, supported the league’s decision, stating, “We understand the NHL’s decision is in the best interest of the health and safety of its players.” In 2023, when Marty Walsh, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, took the role of NHLPA executive director, his priority became securing a return to the Olympics. After lengthy negotiations, the NHL declared in February 2024 its intent to send players to the Milan Cortina Games. Bettman noted that crucial issues for players, such as insurance and travel costs, needed addressing before reaching an agreement.

With that, preparations ramped up for Italy and players across numerous nations.

Why is Russia absent from the tournament?

Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, both Russia and Belarus have been barred from IIHF events, including the 2026 Olympics, due to “security conditions.”

This absence leads some to label the 2026 tournament as “best-on-most-of-the-best.” importantly, top scorers like Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild) won’t be participating, nor will stars such as Artemi Panarin (Los Angeles Kings), Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins), and Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals), who became the NHL’s all-time leader in goals scored last season.

This could be the last Olympic hockey tournament with such restrictions. While the IIHF has maintained its ban for the 2026-27 season, there is a possibility of reevaluating the status of Russian and Belarusian under-18 teams for 2027-28. Other organizations, such as FIFA, have also suggested they may lift restrictions on Russia.

The absence of Russian teams from international tournaments has hampered the NHL and NHLPA’s ability to host another World Cup of Hockey since 2016, pushing them to innovate instead. This resulted in the successful 4 Nations Face-Off in February, held in Montreal and Boston, which established the U.S. and Canada as the current hockey powerhouses and intensified their rivalry.

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P.K. Subban’s biggest question for Team USA heading into the Olympics

P.K. Subban’s biggest question for Team USA heading into the Olympics

Is a U.S. vs. Canada gold-medal game inevitable?

Like giant forces of nature preparing for a showdown, the U.S. and Canada possess the two most formidable teams in the men’s tournament. They are unrivaled in depth across all positions, particularly as injuries have impacted other traditional hockey powerhouses. Both teams also feature championship-winning coaches: Jon Cooper of Canada (Lightning) and Mike Sullivan of Team USA (Rangers).

Team Canada’s offensive lineup features:

• A historic trio of centers. Connor McDavid from the Edmonton Oilers is participating in his first Olympics and boasts four MVP awards (three regular season, one postseason) along with five scoring titles in 11 NHL seasons. Nathan MacKinnon from the Colorado Avalanche, also in his Olympic debut, has achieved 40 goals in 55 games this season. Sidney Crosby, a two-time Olympic champion and two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins, still maintains a point-per-game rate at 38 years old, often hailed as the NHL’s best all-around player of the century.

• A dynamic group of wingers, including Mitch Marner and Mark Stone (Vegas Golden Knights), Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens), Brandon Hagel (Tampa Bay Lightning), and Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers), all known for their scoring and defensive skills.

• Canada’s great rival in Brad Marchand, nicknamed the “Rat King,” and Tom Wilson from the Washington Capitals, a controversial enforcer, who also contribute offensively.

• Macklin Celebrini, the 18-year-old sensation from the San Jose Sharks, earned his spot on the Olympic roster.

• Cale Makar from the Avalanche, recognized as one of the all-time greats among defensemen for points per game (1.08).

This is the first time in the NHL’s Olympic history that Team USA has assembled a roster capable of matching Canada’s depth while surpassing it in specific areas. Even with some high-caliber offensive talents like Montreal’s Cole Caufield and Dallas Stars’ Jason Robertson omitted from the lineup, the Americans may have their strongest array of scoring players in Olympic history.

GM Bill Guerin, who constructed the 4 Nations team that narrowly lost to Canada in overtime in the championship, has retained much of that roster for the Olympics. Key highlights of Team USA include:

The eagerness among fans for these Olympics is palpable. A U.S. vs. Canada matchup could become legendary, whether for a medal or earlier in the knockout stage.

What is the potential timeline for a U.S.-Canada showdown?

The men’s hockey tournament is divided into three groups for the qualifying round. While the initial draw provides an opening-round clash between Finland and Sweden, Canada and the U.S. are placed in different groups:

Group A: Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, France

Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy

Group C: United States, Germany, Latvia, Denmark

The seeding for the elimination rounds is determined by (in order) record, points, goal differential, total goals scored, and then IIHF world ranking. The top four teams receive a bye into the qualification round, and it would be surprising if Canada and the U.S. were not among them. Team USA has arguably the easiest group, while Canada is expected to outperform Switzerland and Czechia — although neither is a guaranteed win.

keep in mind that this is not a fixed bracket. According to IIHF regulations, the semifinal round will see the highest-seeded team face the lowest-seeded team after the quarterfinals, while the second and third-seeded teams will compete against each other. If Canada and the U.S. finish first and second after round-robin play and then continue to win their matches, they could face each other in the gold-medal game.

yet, an unexpected twist arises from Group B. In the 2014 Sochi Games, the U.S. and Canada were placed in different groups, finishing with two regulation wins and one overtime/shootout victory each. Sweden, in another group, had three regulation wins and topped the round-robin standings, leading to a U.S.-Canada semifinal clash, where Canada won 1-0. The melancholy follow-up meant that the U.S. failed to even secure a bronze medal.

What major concerns plague Canada and the U.S.?

For Canada, the most notable concern lies in its goaltending.

Jordan Binnington from the St. Louis Blues was outstanding in Canada’s victory over the U.S. in the 4 Nations overtime matchup, yet he has struggled this season, statistically ranking as one of the two weakest goalies in the NHL. Canada has since swapped out its other 4 Nations goaltenders (Adin Hill of Vegas and Samuel Montembeault of Montreal) for stronger options: Darcy Kuemper from the Kings, a Stanley Cup champion with Colorado in 2022; and Logan Thompson from the Capitals, who ranks sixth in save percentage over the last two NHL seasons. although the upgrades, their goaltending doesn’t measure up to the U.S.’s standard.

For the Americans, the issues lie in scoring capability and experience. Will GM Guerin regret excluding prolific scorers, such as Montreal’s Lane Hutson and the Rangers’ Adam Fox, in favor of players with more defensive skills? How effective can star Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils be, hampered by injuries and playing out of position, along with New York Rangers’ J.T. Miller, currently experiencing a tough season? And will Auston Matthews, who had no goals during the 4 Nations, find his shooting touch?

Team USA features several Stanley Cup champions like Jack Eichel, Matthew Tkachuk, and Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning), but Canada holds more championship titles within their ranks. Canada’s captain, Sidney Crosby, brings unparalleled experience and leadership — a factor that may shine through when pressure mounts, such as in a third-period deficit during elimination rounds, while the U.S. may have players feeling the heat.

One of Guerin’s strategic decisions regarding this roster is to emphasize experience gained from the IIHF World Championship. The Americans secured the title in 2025, marking their first on-ice triumph in the tournament in 92 years. Olympic forwards Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres) and Clayton Keller (Utah Mammoth), defensemen Jackson LaCombe (Anaheim Ducks, replacing injured Florida blueliner Seth Jones), and Werenski, along with goalie Swayman, have all participated in that championship. Many players have faced elite competition, but Olympic elimination games present an unparalleled level of challenge.

Who are the other contenders for medals?

Sweden is widely recognized as the third-strongest team in the tournament, and overlooking them would be unwise.

They possess a formidable defense lineup, featuring stars like Rasmus Dahlin from the Buffalo Sabres and Gustav Forsling from the Panthers; Victor Hedman, captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning; and Rasmus Andersson from the Golden Knights, alongside Erik Karlsson, the 35-year-old Penguins defenseman still known for his offensive contributions.

Their forward lineup includes talented scorers like William Nylander (Maple Leafs), Adrian Kempe (Kings), Filip Forsberg (Nashville Predators), and Lucas Raymond (Detroit Red Wings), but they fall short in quality centers, especially after losing Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson (44 points in 44 games) to injury. That said, Mika Zibanejad’s resurgence with the New York Rangers (23 goals) has somewhat alleviated concerns.

To challenge either Canada or the U.S., elite goaltending is essential. Sweden may have that in Filip Gustavsson from Minnesota, one of the NHL’s top goalies seeking redemption after a poor performance against Finland in the 4 Nations Face-Off when illness forced him off the ice early. He is expected to lead over inconsistent Jacob Markstrom (Devils) and rookie sensation Jesper Wallstedt, who has better statistics this season than Gustavsson.

Finland, the reigning gold medalist from Beijing, won with a non-NHL roster. Unfortunately, they faced a significant injury setback when superstar Aleksander Barkov required surgery on his torn ACL and MCL right before the tournament. He was crucial to the Panthers’ success in back-to-back Stanley Cup wins and would have provided valuable depth alongside talents like Sebastian Aho (Hurricanes), Roope Hintz (Stars), and Anton Lundell (Panthers).

although challenges, Finland should not be underestimated. Winger Mikko Rantanen (Stars) demonstrated his ability to carry a team offensively during the previous Stanley Cup playoffs, and Miro Heiskanen is among the top defensemen in the tournament. If Juuse Saros (Predators) can elevate his performance beyond an average regular season, Finland could be very competitive. At the very least, they will not be easy opponents.

Switzerland presents an intriguing squad featuring NHL talents such as Nico Hischier and Timo Meier (Devils), Kevin Fiala (Kings), and Nino Niederreiter (Jets), in addition to defensemen Roman Josi (Predators) and J.J. Moser (Lightning). yet, their goaltending situation lacks a standout, with NHL goalie Akira Schmid (Golden Knights) alongside Swiss league players Reto Berra (a veteran) and Leonardo Genoni, who has performed well in World Championships. The absence of a prominent goaltender like Jonas Hiller is notable.

Germany boasts one of the elite players in Leon Draisaitl from the Oilers, plus one of the best defensemen, Moritz Seider from the Red Wings. They’re also armed with accomplished scorers like JJ Peterka (Utah) and Tim Stutzle (Ottawa). The rest of their roster mostly comprises DEHL players, some with NHL backgrounds. An effective spoiler could be Seattle Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer, one of the season’s best netminders and a frontrunner for comeback player of the year.

Czechia’s forward lineup features familiar NHL names, including David Pastrnak (Boston), Martin Necas (Colorado), and Tomas Hertl (Vegas), each having scored 22 goals this season. Their hopes hinge on a strong goaltending trio: Lukas Dostal (Anaheim), Karel Vejmelka (Utah), and Dan Vladar (Philadelphia), noted for their NHL performances.

Slovakia made history by winning its first men’s hockey medal in Beijing. Montreal’s Juraj Slafkovsky, the MVP from that tournament, returns as one of Slovakia’s few notable NHL players. They boast some NHL talent in defense, including Erik Cernak (Lightning), Martin Fehervary (Capitals), and Simon Nemec (Devils), but face challenges in goal, as none of their three goalies have NHL experience. One of them, Adam Gajan, is currently in his second NCAA season with the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Denmark fields recognizable forwards such as Nikolaj Ehlers (Hurricanes), Oliver Bjorkstrand (Lightning), and Lars Eller (Senators), along with longtime netminder Frederik Andersen (Hurricanes), who was once a game-changer on the international stage but has struggled with consistency this season.

Latvia’s squad features several players with North American experience, yet only three currently play in the NHL: Forwards Teddy Blueger (Vancouver), Zemgus Girgensons (Tampa Bay), and Uvis Balinskis (Florida). still, Latvian goalies Elvis Merzlikins (Blue Jackets) and Arturs Silovs (Penguins) bring intrigue to the squad.

France qualified for the 2026 Olympics following Russia’s disqualification, while Italy gained entry as the host nation. Winning a game in group play would be considered a minor miracle for either team, though they may find advantages on the smaller ice.

What issues surrounded the Olympic rink?

The most prominent controversy focused on whether the hockey tournament would occur amid construction complications. As of November, construction delays led to test events being relocated, and Olympic organizers indicated there was no contingency plan. Even as late as January 25, a layer of mud lined the Zamboni tunnel leading to the ice at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

By the time the Olympics began, the venues, while still incomplete, were functional. The players noted that the ice felt soft but manageable.

Another controversy revolved around the size of the Olympic ice. Several months prior, Team Canada’s GM Doug Armstrong and assistant coach Peter DeBoer stated in passing that the Olympic rink would be smaller than an NHL surface. The IIHF later released a statement confirming dimensions of 196.85 feet by 85.3 feet, smaller than the NHL’s standard of 200 feet by 85 feet.

While NHL teams often adapt to varying ice dimensions internationally, the announcement about the smaller Olympic rink surprised many observers. Will this reduced ice size lead to a more physical game, prompting Canada to include Wilson on their roster? Or does it serve merely as a counter to Tkachuk?

What key dates should fans watch for during the tournament?

The excitement kicks off on Wednesday with round-robin games in Group B. Team USA, vying for its first gold medal since 1980, begins play against Latvia on Thursday, while Canada faces Czechia.

The men’s qualification round playoffs commence on Feb. 17, followed by quarterfinals on Feb. 18. Semifinals are set for Feb. 20, with the bronze medal game following on Feb. 21, while the winners will compete for gold on Feb. 22.

Will we witness yet another chapter in hockey’s greatest rivalry during these games? The time has finally come to find out.