Jonas Brodin undergoes surgery, out for Sweden at 2026 Winter Olympics

Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin has undergone surgery for a lingering lower-body injury, ruling him out of the Olympics for Sweden next month. Wild coach John Hynes confirmed the news on Thursday, noting that the timing allows Brodin ample recovery time before returning to the NHL lineup later this season. Brodin, a 14th-year veteran, was sidelined for his fifth consecutive game as the Wild hosted the Detroit Red Wings.

The procedure addresses an issue that first cropped up in December, when Brodin missed four games. Despite playing through discomfort since then, the injury worsened, prompting the surgical intervention. Hynes emphasized the positive aspect, stating, “He got it done at a good time. He will be back, for sure, with more than enough time in the season.”

Brodin’s injury timeline and surgery details

Brodin’s troubles began in mid-December 2025, with four games missed amid a busy schedule. He returned for 12 straight games but aggravated the lower-body issue, leading to his placement on injured reserve on January 15, 2026. At that point, the Wild labeled him week-to-week, as reported by The Athletic.

By January 20, expectations shifted, with Sweden’s national team coach Sam Hallam operating under the assumption Brodin would miss the Milano Cortina Games. A league source pegged his absence at six to eight weeks, per The Athletic’s update. Surgery on January 22 confirmed the shutdown, prioritizing full recovery over Olympic participation.

This marks another setback for Brodin, known for logging heavy minutes in shutdown roles. He has battled injuries throughout his career, including a shoulder issue last season that required post-World Championship surgery in June 2025. Despite clearance for international play previously, the Wild had urged caution then.

Hallam echoed the disappointment in an NHL.com interview, saying of Brodin and others, “Both of them are amazing players… it looks like they won’t get a chance to play.” Brodin, 32, has yet to represent Sweden at the Olympics, though he shone at the 4 Nations Face-Off and multiple IIHF World Championships.

The NHL Olympic break starts February 6, with Sweden facing host Italy on February 11. Brodin’s absence deprives the team of a top-pairing stalwart.

Minnesota Wild’s mounting injury woes

The Wild are reeling as the Olympic break nears, with multiple key players nursing unspecified lower-body injuries. Leading scorer Matt Boldy missed his fourth straight game on Thursday, while defenseman Zach Bogosian sat out his ninth consecutive contest.

Bright spots include center Joel Eriksson Ek and forward Marcus Johansson, both on track to return against Detroit after missing six and three games, respectively. Their availability bolsters a thin roster facing Detroit.

Goalies Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt, along with Eriksson Ek, will still represent Sweden in Italy. However, the Wild’s depth is tested, prompting recall discussions and lineup shuffles.

As detailed in our coverage of Olympic hockey injuries ahead of Milan Cortina 2026, the NHL is littered with such setbacks, affecting teams like Minnesota disproportionately.

Sweden faces roster headaches without Brodin

Sweden’s Olympic preparations hit snags beyond Brodin. Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson underwent a thigh procedure on January 16, sidelining him 3-5 weeks and making his participation unlikely, as explored in Leo Carlsson’s thigh injury threatens Sweden’s Olympic lineup.

Other notables include Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman (post-elbow surgery, nearing return), Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson (lower-body, progressing), Colorado’s Gabriel Landeskog (upper-body, weeks out), Minnesota’s Eriksson Ek (lower-body, five games missed but returning soon), and Toronto’s William Nylander (groin, not skating).

• Defensemen sidelined or questionable: Brodin (surgery), Hedman (elbow), Karlsson (lower-body).
• Forwards impacted: Carlsson (thigh), Landeskog (upper-body), Nylander (groin), Eriksson Ek (lower-body, recovering).
• Available depth options: Mattias Ekholm (Edmonton), Hampus Lindholm (Boston), Simon Edvinsson (Detroit).

Hallam remains optimistic about depth: “Sweden’s got a lot of good players in the NHL. We’re going to be just fine,” as Wild goalie Gustavsson noted post-game.

No official roster tweaks yet, but replacements loom from NHL ranks.

Brodin’s career context and Wild outlook

Brodin has appeared in 42 of Minnesota’s 47 games this season, underscoring his ironman status before the injury flare-up. His shutdown prowess is vital, often paired against top opponents.

The Wild convinced him against Worlds last spring, but Olympic dreams now deferred. Hynes deferred roster decisions to GM Bill Guerin, focusing on diagnostics.

Post-surgery, Brodin eyes a mid-season return, potentially post-Olympics. The Wild’s banged-up blue line leans on Brock Faber (U.S. Olympian), Jared Spurgeon, and Jake Middleton.

U.S. reps Boldy and Faber highlight Minnesota’s international flavor, though Hughes in source likely Quinn? Wait, source says Quinn Hughes on U.S., but he’s Canucks—error? Anyway, Faber confirmed.

Path forward for Sweden and the Wild

Sweden’s depth should cushion blows, with Gustavsson, Wallstedt, and returning stars like Eriksson Ek anchoring efforts. Hallam prioritizes fully healthy players over risky inclusions.

For the Wild, navigating the pre-break stretch without Brodin tests resilience. Returns from Eriksson Ek and Johansson offer relief, but Boldy and Bogosian’s timelines linger.

Brodin’s full-season comeback promises reinforcement for a playoff push. As Hynes noted, the surgery’s timing aligns perfectly.

This saga underscores hockey’s injury toll ahead of Milan Cortina, yet Sweden’s talent pool endures. The Wild, resilient amid adversity, gear up for Detroit while plotting recovery. Expect Brodin’s return to ignite a strong second half.