The 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic men’s ice hockey tournament kicks off Wednesday with round-robin play. It’s the first best-on-best competition featuring NHL players since the 2014 Sochi Games. This primer covers everything from the NHL’s return to key storylines for hockey fans new and old alike.
Expect intense rivalries, star-studded rosters and debates over everything from goaltending to rink size. With Canada and the United States leading the pack, the gold-medal conversation starts now.
Why NHL players are returning to the Olympics
The NHL first sent players to the Winter Olympics in 1998, boosting Canada’s gold medal haul to three since then. Before that, Canada hadn’t won since 1952. The 2014 Sochi Games marked their last triumph with NHL stars, but participation halted afterward due to ongoing disputes.
League owners resisted pausing the regular season without revenue sharing from the IOC. Players, inspired by moments like the 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” pushed for involvement to grow the game globally. Tensions peaked in 2018 when the NHL skipped Pyeongchang over poor terms and owner opposition.
The NHLPA embedded Olympic clauses in their 2020 CBA for 2022 and 2026, but COVID derailed Beijing. New executive director Marty Walsh prioritized a return, leading to a 2024 agreement. Key concessions included IIHF and IOC covering insurance, travel and accommodations.3
This paved the way for nearly every nation to feature top NHL talent. The move reignites international passion while showcasing the league’s global stars.
Owners now see value in exposure, especially after the successful 4 Nations Face-Off. Players get a shot at Olympic glory, fulfilling a career highlight for many.
The agreement ensures focus on health and logistics, minimizing disruptions.
Russia’s absence from the tournament
Russia and Belarus remain banned from IIHF events since Russia’s 2022 Ukraine invasion. The IIHF cites security issues, extending the exclusion through 2026 Olympics. This leaves the field as “best-on-most-of-the-best.”
Missing are elite scorers like Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov, Artemi Panarin, Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin recently passed Wayne Gretzky for NHL goals all-time, but sits out.
The ban stalled plans for another World Cup of Hockey post-2016. Instead, the 4 Nations Face-Off highlighted U.S.-Canada dominance last February.
Restrictions might lift soon, with IIHF eyeing U-18 reintegration by 2027-28. FIFA signals similar openness for Russia.
Without these powers, medals favor traditional giants, but opens doors for surprises.
Could U.S. vs Canada headline the gold-medal game?
Canada and the U.S. boast the deepest rosters across positions. Injuries hit others, but these teams shine with Stanley Cup coaches: Jon Cooper for Canada, Mike Sullivan for USA.
Canada’s center trio—Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby—is historic. McDavid debuts with multiple MVPs; MacKinnon scores at elite pace; Crosby thrives at 38.
Wingers like Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, Nick Suzuki, Brandon Hagel, Sam Reinhart balance offense-defense. Agitators Brad Marchand and Tom Wilson add edge. Macklin Celebrini, 18, earned his spot; Cale Makar leads D-men in points per game.
For detailed roster predictions on USA and Canada, see this analysis.
Team USA matches depth, surpassing in spots. Matthew and Brady Tkachuk set truculent tone; Jack Eichel-Auston Matthews form top center pair ever.
Quinn Hughes, Zach Werenski bring offense; Jaccob Slavin anchors. Goaltending trio Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, Jeremy Swayman is tournament-best.
Anticipation builds for a clash echoing King Kong vs Godzilla.
Tournament format and potential U.S.-Canada matchups
Three groups split the field:
Group A: Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, France
Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
Group C: United States, Germany, Latvia, Denmark
Seeding uses record, points, goal differential, goals scored, IIHF ranking. Top four bye to quarters; flexible semis pit 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3.
USA faces easiest path; Canada favored over A foes. Top seeds could delay U.S.-Canada to gold.
Group B looms large, like 2014 when Sweden’s regulation wins forced semifinal U.S.-Canada thriller. Canada won 1-0.
Check the full schedule here.4
Flexibility adds intrigue; early rivalry game possible if seeding aligns.
Latvia, Denmark pose tests, but powerhouses advance.
Key concerns for Canada and the U.S.
Canada’s goaltending draws scrutiny. Jordan Binnington shone in 4 Nations but struggles this season. Upgrades Darcy Kuemper and Logan Thompson improve depth, but trail USA.
USA worries scoring, experience sans snubs like Cole Caufield, Jason Robertson, Lane Hutson, Adam Fox. Jack Hughes injury-prone; J.T. Miller slumping; Matthews goalless at 4 Nations.
Canada holds more Cups, Crosby’s leadership. USA leans IIHF Worlds winners from 2025.
Recent Canadian roster tweak with Seth Jarvis replacing Brayden Point adds depth amid injuries.
Both built for medals, but pressure tests mettle.
Adversity favors Canada’s poise over USA’s youth.
Other medal contenders
Sweden ranks third with elite defense: Rasmus Dahlin, Gustav Forsling, Victor Hedman, Rasmus Andersson, Erik Karlsson. Forwards William Nylander, Adrian Kempe, Filip Forsberg, Lucas Raymond score big.
Center depth thins sans Leo Carlsson; Mika Zibanejad steps up. Filip Gustavsson eyes top goaltending.
Finland, 2022 champs sans NHLers, misses Aleksander Barkov. Mikko Rantanen, Sebastian Aho, Miro Heiskanen, Juuse Saros carry load.
Switzerland features Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, Kevin Fiala, Nino Niederreiter, Roman Josi. Goalie Akira Schmid unproven.
Germany has Leon Draisaitl, Moritz Seider, JJ Peterka, Tim Stutzle, hot Philipp Grubauer.
Czechia boasts David Pastrnak, Martin Necas, Tomas Hertl; strong goalies Lukas Dostal, Karel Vejmelka, Dan Vladar.
Slovakia, Denmark, Latvia, hosts Italy, France play spoilers.
The Olympic rink controversy
Venues faced delays; Santagiulia Arena had mud into January, no Plan B. By Games, functional but soft ice.
Rink measures 196.85x85.3 feet, smaller than NHL’s 200x85. Sparks debate on physicality; Tom Wilson added as counter?
Recent arena readiness updates highlight no backup amid delays. NHL teams adapt internationally, but size caught off-guard.5
Smaller sheet favors speed, hits; benefits skilled North Americans?
Players tested; conditions playable.
Tournament schedule highlights
Round-robin starts Wednesday, Group B. USA vs Latvia Thursday; Canada vs Czechia opens theirs.
Qualification playoffs Feb. 17; quarters Feb. 18; semis Feb. 20; bronze Feb. 21; gold Feb. 22.
Full rosters and how to watch on NHL.com.2
Mark calendars for potential U.S.-Canada fireworks.
The stage is set for hockey’s premier international showdown. Whether in semis or final, U.S.-Canada rivalry promises drama. NHL stars chase Olympic immortality amid global talent—tune in to witness history.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.