NHL players are returning to the Olympics for the first time since the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
Countries’ hockey federations had until Dec. 31 to submit their final rosters for the February tournament in Milan, Italy.
Canada announced its roster that day, and the United States, Sweden and Finland made their announcements on Jan. 2. Other countries made announcements afterward.
Finland is the defending champion after winning in 2022 in Beijing. Canada won the last two Olympics involving NHL players in 2010 or 2014.
Here are the Olympic rosters that have been announced so far:
First six named
Rest of the team
Analysis: If this roster looks familiar, it’s because it’s the USA’s 4 Nations Face-Off one with a few changes. Tage Thompson, Clayton Keller and Seth Jones are the newcomers. There’s plenty of offense (even with Jason Robertson and Cole Caufield not named), and the defense is solid. Quinn Hughes, who was injured and couldn’t play in the 4 Nations, will be a difference-maker. The goaltending should be among the best in the tournament.
First six named
Rest of the team
Analysis: Most of the 4 Nations players return, including the entire defense corps. Second-year standout Macklin Celebrini was named, but Connor Bedard didn’t make the cut. Rugged Tom Wilson and goalie Logan Thompson are among the other newcomers. Jordan Binnington, the 4 Nations-winning goalie who’s struggling this season, could be the No. 1 goalie to start, but Logan Thompson is a solid option if Binnington falters.
First six named
Rest of the team
Analysis: Aleksander Barkov’s injury will hurt Finland, but there are plenty of other players. Mikko Rantanen is a big-game player, and Miro Heiskanen is available after missing the 4 Nations. There are a lot of Stars and Panthers players on the roster, which is a good thing considering those teams’ recent playoff runs.
First six named
Rest of the team
Analysis: Plenty of offense, good defense and the impressive Wild goalie tandem are heading to Italy. Joel Eriksson Ek is a shutdown forward, and Gustav Forsling is a shutdown defenseman. Gabriel Landeskog and Victor Hedman are out with injuries.
First six named
Rest of the team
Analysis: David Pastrnak and Martin Necas are among the league’s top scorers. Dan Vladar is the best of the three goalies, though Lukas Dostal could get the call first. Roman Cervenka will be playing in his fifth Olympics.
First six named
Rest of the team
Analysis: The first six are a good start, led by two-way center Nico Hischier and Devils teammate Timo Meier. J.J. Moser, named in the second wave, played well enough to earn an eight-year extension.
First six named
Rest of the team
Analysis: Juraj Slafkovsky, the No. 1 overall of the 2022 NHL Draft, was MVP of the non-NHL 2022 Olympics as Slovakia won bronze. Simon Nemec also played on that team, was selected second overall. Tomas Tatar is a former NHL 20-goal scorer.
First six named
Rest of the team
Analysis: Any team with Leon Draisaitl is dangerous, and Tim Stutzle and Moritz Seider are having impressive seasons. Nico Sturm is a two-way player who’s strong on faceoffs.
First six named
Rest of the team
Analysis: Not many NHL players, but there are two NHL goalies in Arturs Silovs and Elvis Merzlikins. Defenseman Alberts Smits is eligible for the 2026 draft and played at the world junior championships.
First six named
Rest of the team
Analysis: Denmark upset Canada at the 2025 world championships, and many of those players are here, including the speedy Nikolaj Ehlers. Frederik Dichow was the goalie in that game. Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen has joined the team.
First six named
Rest of the team
Analysis: Alexandre Texier is the lone NHL player, though Pierre-Edouard Bellemare is a former NHL player. Texier had back-to-back three-point games in early January.
First six named
Rest of the team has not been named.
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