The Summer Olympics in Paris are now in the rearview mirror. Next time the Olympic torch is lit, it’ll be in Milan for the 2026 Winter Games. It will also be the first time since the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia that NHL players will participate.
The NHL was expected to participate in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, but COVID led to a late decision to withdraw NHL players from competition. In 2026, Tampa Bay Lightning fans will get to see some of their favorite players take the ice. Here are some strong candidates to represent the Bolts and their home countries.
Brayden Point – Team Canada
The Calgary-born forward’s last appearance at an international tournament was the 2017 IIHF World Championship when he was just breaking into the NHL. Point is confirmed to represent Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NHL’s replacement for the All-Star Game this season when NHL players will represent their countries in a tournament.
Perhaps that will be a sneak peek of what’s to come. If Jon Cooper is Team Canada’s coach at the Olympics, which he was supposed to be in 2022, it is nearly guaranteed that he will be bound for Milan. In 2023-24, Point scored 46 goals and 44 assists. It was his third season of scoring 40 goals or more and 90 points or more.
Brandon Hagel – Team Canada
Brandon Hagel is coming off a career-best season in the NHL and a strong performance at the 2024 IIHF World Championship. During the regular season, he scored 26 goals and 49 assists for 75 points – the latter were both career highs, and he had his second-best season for goals.
At the World Championship in May, he scored three goals and four assists in 10 games. He’s already shown he’ll step up for Canada. The Olympic team could be calling him up for his services in an effort to win the gold.
Victor Hedman – Sweden
Victor Hedman is a lock to play for Sweden at the Olympics. He’s still one of the top defensemen in the league, finishing sixth in Norris Trophy voting last season. In 78 games in 2023-24, he had 13 goals and 63 assists – the second-highest point total of his career at 33 years old. He is also confirmed to play for Sweden during the 4 Nations Face-Off.
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Hedman also played for Sweden in the 2024 IIHF World Championship and won the bronze medal. Now, in…
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