Russian NHL players are grappling with the reality of missing the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. Long-standing sanctions from the International Olympic Committee and the International Ice Hockey Federation have barred Russia and Belarus from participating due to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. This marks the third straight Olympics without NHL players from these nations, leaving stars like Alex Ovechkin and Nikita Kucherov on the sidelines.
Players express a mix of frustration and understanding. They crave best-on-best international competition but recognize the geopolitical barriers. Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov captured the sentiment: “[NHL players] have missed the last three Olympics. We were hoping for this year, but I guess not and it’s tough. But from the other side, I understand where they’re coming from, right? … The war’s going on and everything, and there are the sanctions.”
The weight of exclusion
For many Russian players, the Olympics represent a pinnacle beyond even the Stanley Cup. Zadorov, now 30 and in his 13th NHL season, wonders if he’ll ever don his nation’s colors internationally. Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko echoed this: “Everyone is excited about the Olympics but us. And of course we would love to be at the Olympics. Russia would have a great team because our roster would have looked so nice.”
The IIHF extended its ban in February 2025, stating it was “not yet safe to reintegrate” Russia and Belarus. This decision persists despite NHL players returning to the Olympics for the first time since 2014. Events like the 4 Nations Face-Off have whetted appetites for elite matchups, but Russia’s absence looms large.
San Jose Sharks defenseman Dmitry Orlov, 34, views it pragmatically. “It’s politics and sports. I cannot say anything, you know? It is just, it is what it is. It’s not our decision.” Orlov grew up idolizing Russian teams and has international experience, including a world championship, but never the Olympics.
Players like Orlov highlight a generational shift. Born after the Soviet Union’s collapse, they missed the dominance of that era—seven Olympic golds and unmatched IIHF success. Yet, modern Russia boasts NHL talent that could rival any nation.
A hypothetical powerhouse roster
ESPN’s recent projection of a Russian Olympic team underscores the “what if.” Forwards would include Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov, Artemi Panarin, and Marchenko himself. He quipped about swapping spots with Valeri Nichushkin: “I should have been on the second line … instead of the third.”
Defensemen like Orlov, Zadorov, Mikhail Sergachev, Vladislav Gavrikov, Ivan Provorov, and more would anchor the blue line. Sergachev, now with the Utah Mammoth, praised the group: “We would have a great team with the greatest goal scorer of all time. We’d have had the best goalies in the league.”
The goaltending conundrum steals the show:
- Sergei Bobrovsky (Florida Panthers)
- Igor Shesterkin (New York Rangers)
- Ilya Sorokin (New York Islanders)
- Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Sergachev favored Vasilevskiy: “To me, Vasy’s just something different.” For a detailed breakdown of what a Russian Olympic hockey team would look like in 2026, check this analysis.
Russia’s “Olympic Athletes from Russia” squad won gold in 2018 amid a doping ban. Experts believe this hypothetical 2026 version could claim their second post-Soviet medal—or even gold.
Navigating politics and personal views
Zadorov proposed compromises, like playing under a neutral flag as in the 4 Nations Face-Off. “If they invited Russia … ‘You guys can play. But you cannot use your flag or anthem,’ I would say 99% of the guys would agree.” He noted players know their identity: “Our anthem is something we can sing in the [dressing] room.”
His outspokenness adds complexity. Zadorov has criticized Putin and the Ukraine war publicly, questioning his own selection: “With my political views … I don’t know if I would have even made this team.” Nearly half of NHL Russians are 30-plus, including aging stars like Kucherov and Panarin who deserve the shot.
The Athletic reported in June 2025 on the ongoing ban’s impact, confirming no Russian NHLers at Milano Cortina. Meanwhile, nations like Finland and Sweden have named star rosters, heightening the void.
Sergachev remains measured: “It’s sad … but it is what it is. You can’t really dwell on it … There’s still a lot of political stuff that needs to get done.”
Eyes on the games despite absence
Russian players plan to watch selectively. Sergachev is eager for Crosby vs. Matthews or McDavid vs. Hughes: “I love hockey, and it’s the best-on-best … I still want to watch.” Marchenko will support Blue Jackets teammate Zach Werenski while sneaking peeks between beach workouts.
The NHL’s Olympic return and new tournaments like the World Cup offer alternatives. Yet, the Olympics’ prestige endures. Orlov hopes for 2030: “You just hope that with the next Olympics that we’ll have a chance to play.”
This saga underscores hockey’s global tensions. Russian stars continue thriving in the NHL, but their Olympic dreams hinge on diplomacy. Fans miss the full best-on-best spectacle—what a Russian inclusion could mean for Milan Cortina’s legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.