For the first time in over a decade, NHL players are set to participate in the Winter Olympics, allowing fans to witness top-tier hockey on the world stage. The United States is looking to secure its first gold medal since 1980, but with strong contenders like Canada, Sweden, and Finland, the competition is expected to be fierce, with several other teams poised for medal positions.
The last instance of NHL players competing was in the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where Canada won gold for the second consecutive time. The United States narrowly missed out on a medal, losing the bronze match to Finland, while Sweden captured the silver after falling to Canada in the final. Since then, much has evolved: the U.S. team now boasts a deeper talent pool and is better prepared to avoid past pitfalls, while traditional powers like Canada, Sweden, and Finland remain strong contenders. Additionally, nations like the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Germany are closing the gap. A notable change this year is the absence of Russian players, as the International Olympic Committee still bans Russians from competing due to geopolitical reasons, largely influenced by the Ukraine conflict. Consequently, stars like Alex Ovechkin and Nikita Kucherov will be watching from home.
Even with Russia’s absence, the return of NHL competition adds significant excitement to this Olympics, making it one of the most anticipated in years. A detailed preview categorizes the 12 teams into tiers based on their chances for gold, ending with medal predictions and awards.
Favorites:
Canada (+115): Canada’s roster is stacked, especially down the middle, with Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, and Brayden Point all anchoring the team. Their wings are equally talented, featuring Macklin Celebrini, Mitch Marner, and Sam Reinhart, along with physical players like Mark Stone and Tom Wilson. Defensively, the team counts on top defenseman Cale Makar, Shea Theodore, Devon Toews, and Josh Morrissey. The main concern is goaltending, with Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper, and Logan Thompson all facing questions, but if the goalies perform at least averagely, Canada is a strong contender for the gold.
United States (+175): The U.S. team’s biggest strength lies in its elite goaltending, with Connor Hellebuyck ranking among the best in the world, supported by Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman. Their forwards feature goal scorers like Auston Matthews, Jake Guentzel, Matt Boldy, and Tage Thompson, complemented by speedsters Dylan Larkin, Clayton Keller, and Jack Hughes, plus physical two-way players such as the Tkachuk brothers and Jack Eichel. However, their decision to use more checking-focused players over top scorers in the forward lineup is a strategic gamble. Defensively, with Quinn Hughes healthy and players like Adam Fox unavailable, the back end remains strong, led by Zach Werenski, Jake Sanderson, Charlie McAvoy, Jacob Slavin, and Brock Faber.
Contenders:
Sweden (+650): Sweden stands out as a potential spoiler, with a well-rounded roster featuring William Nylander, Lucas Raymond, Jesper Bratt, Filip Forsberg, and Adrian Kempe on the attack. Rasmus Dahlin, Victor Hedman, and Gustav Forsling anchor a talented defense, while their goalies, Filip Gustafsson and Jesper Walstedt, provide reliable options. Their offensive and defensive balance makes Sweden a dangerous dark horse.
Finland (+1000): Missing their top center Aleksander Barkov due to injury, Finland relies on Sebastian Aho, Lupe Hintz, and star Mikko Rantanen. Their defense is led by Miro Heiskanen, Niko Mikkola, Esa Lindell, and Rasmus Ristolainen. Goalie Juuse Saros, though inconsistent lately, will need to be excellent to keep Finland competitive.
Dark Horses:
Czech Republic (+2500): With star forwards like David Pastrnak and Martin Necas, along with Tomas Hertl, the Czechs have offensive punch. However, injury setbacks and less NHL talent on defense, with only Radko Gudas and Filip Hronek, make their success depend heavily on goalie performance and opportunistic play.
Switzerland (+2500): Improving quickly on the international stage, Switzerland boasts star players such as Nico Hischier, Kevin Fiala, Timo Meier, and Roman Josi. Their defense, led by Josi and JJ Moser, and their emerging goaltending options, like Akira Schmidt, give them a real shot at an upset despite depth limitations.
Germany (+5000): With top talents like Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stutzle, and Moritz Seider, Germany is an intriguing contender in this group. Their success hinges on perimeter players’ performance and Seider’s leadership, as their defensive depth is limited.
Nuisance Teams:
- Slovakia (+6500): Featuring NHL talent like Juraj Slavkovski and Erik Cernak on defense, Slovakia could surprise if their many NHL players perform consistently, although they lack reliable goaltending.
- Denmark (+25000): With Nikolaj Ehlers and Oliver Bjorkstrand, Denmark looks to replicate their 2022 quarterfinal run, but goaltender Frederik Andersen’s recent struggles could impact their chances.
- Latvia (+50000): Relying on goaltenders Elvis Merzlikins and Artur Silovs, Latvia has never medaled before and rarely advances far, making their tournament participation more about experience than medal hopes.
Enjoyment and Hosts:
- France (+80000): Highlighted by Alexandre Texier, France is debuting at the Olympics after a long absence, with limited success in past tournaments.
- Italy (+100000): As hosts, Italy has automatic qualification but lacks NHL talent or recent success, having lost all their qualification games historically.
Medal Predictions:
- Gold: Canada
- Silver: USA
- Bronze: Switzerland
Awards:
- MVP: Nathan MacKinnon (Canada)
- Olympic All-Star Team includes stars such as MacKinnon, Crosby, Draisaitl, Makar, Josi, and Hellebuyck.
Fan Take: The return of NHL players to the Olympics injects fresh excitement and credibility into international hockey, giving fans a chance to see the best players compete on a global stage once again. This tournament could redefine how the sport is perceived worldwide, energizing the fan base and inspiring the next generation of hockey stars.
