The NHL Returns to the Olympics: Everything You Need to Know for 2026
After a twelve-year absence that felt like an eternity for hockey purists, the National Hockey League is officially returning to the Olympic stage. That’s right, the wait to see NHL players in the Olympics is finally over.
Since the final whistle in Sochi in 2014, a massive void has existed in the international sports landscape. We’ve missed the opportunity to see generational talents like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Nathan MacKinnon pull on their national sweaters at the peak of their powers.
The 2026 Winter Games in Milan Cortina represent the restoration of hockey’s ultimate hierarchy and the chance to finally define the legacies of the greatest players of this era. From the updated tournament format and controversial rink dimensions to the must-watch players, here’s a complete look at what to expect when the NHL returns to Olympic ice.
2014 flashback: The last time we saw NHL players in the Olympics
The last time NHL players competed in the Olympics was Sochi 2014. That year, Team Canada delivered a defensive masterclass, winning gold with a 3–0 shutout over Sweden in the final. Canada didn’t trail for a single second during the entire knockout stage.
Meanwhile, Finland secured the bronze medal with a 5–0 win over Team USA. It was a poetic send-off for Finnish legend Teemu Selänne, who scored two goals in his final international game to secure Olympic MVP honors.
For the few Canadian veterans returning in 2026—like Sidney Crosby and Drew Doughty—they’re technically entering the tournament as the defending champions of a title they’ve held for over a decade. However, Finland is the reigning Olympic champion after winning gold at Beijing 2022, despite lacking NHL participation.
The tournament format: The path to gold
The Olympic tournament follows a specific structure designed to make sure every game in the preliminary round matters, while providing a “second life” for lower-seeded teams.
Group stage (preliminary round)
The 12 qualified nations are divided into three groups (A, B, and C), each with four teams. Every team plays three games within their group, earning 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for an overtime/shootout win, and 1 point for an overtime/shootout loss.
- Group A: Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, France
- Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
- Group C: United States, Germany, Latvia, Denmark
The re-seeding (combined standings)
After the preliminary round, all 12 teams are ranked 1 through 12 based on their performance across all groups.
- The bye (teams 1–4): The three group winners and the best second-place team earn a direct bye to the quarterfinals. This is a massive advantage, providing an extra day of rest and scouting.
- The qualification playoff (teams 5–12): The remaining eight teams play a single-elimination game (5 vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, etc.). The winners advance to the quarterfinals, while the losers are eliminated.
The knockout stage
- Quarterfinals: The four bye teams face the four winners of the qualification playoff.
- Semifinals: Winners advance to play for gold; losers move to the bronze medal game.
- Overtime rules: In the gold medal game, the NHL-style 20-minute sudden-death periods (5-on-5) are used until a winner is determined, ensuring the championship isn’t decided by a shootout.
The “short rink” twist: A game of inches
While most international tournaments are played on wider “Olympic-sized” ice, Milan 2026 features a controversial logistical curveball. The two rinks in Milan measure 60 meters x 26 meters (approx. 197′ x 85.3′).
- The impact: This is more than three feet shorter than a standard NHL rink.
- The strategy: Expect a “phone booth” style of play. With less room to maneuver in the neutral zone, the transition game will be faster and more physical. This compressed surface heavily favors the “North-South” aggressive style of Canada and Team USA, leaving less room for the looping, tactical puck possession often favored by European squads.
The passing of the torch: Crosby and McDavid
One of the most compelling storylines of 2026 is the union of two eras. Sidney Crosby, the man who defined Canadian dominance with his “Golden Goal” in 2010, is entering the final chapter of his career. Meanwhile, Connor McDavid—widely considered the best player on the planet—has reached his absolute physical peak without ever having the chance to represent his country at the Olympics.
In 2026, McDavid will likely captain a squad that includes his childhood idol, who’s still playing at an elite level, by the way. Watching whether these two generational talents play on the same “super-line” or anchor separate units is the primary tactical question for Team Canada. For McDavid, winning gold alongside Crosby is the final piece of the puzzle to cement his status alongside Gretzky and Lemieux.
USA vs. Canada: The “dream team” rivalry
Historically, Canada has entered the Olympics as the undisputed favorite. That era is over. The 2026 U.S. roster is arguably the most talented squad the Americans have ever assembled, boasting a core of Auston Matthews, the Hughes brothers, and the Tkachuk brothers.
The gap between the North American giants has vanished. While Canada relies on veteran savvy and legendary depth down the middle, the U.S. offers a level of high-end speed and transition play that is tailor-made for the modern game.
Global challengers: The best of the rest
While much of the media focuses on a Canada vs. USA “dream final,” the European field has never been more dangerous. These nations bring tactical continuity that often outweighs raw star power.
- Sweden’s defensive wall: Sweden might possess the best skating blueline in the tournament. With Victor Hedman, Erik Karlsson, and Rasmus Dahlin, they can generate offense from the back end better than any other nation. Their challenge will be finding consistent goal-scoring depth beyond their top six.
- Finland’s tactical identity: The Finns are the masters of the “system.” Even without as many superstars as its North American rivals, Finland’s ability to play suffocating defense and capitalize on power plays makes it the team no one wants to face in a single-elimination quarterfinal.
- Czechia’s elite finishing: Led by David Pastrnák, the Czechs have a “game-breaker” quality. They’ve proven in recent World Championships that they can beat anyone when their goaltending gets hot, and their top-end NHL talent is as creative as any in the world.
- Germany’s rise to power: Germany is no longer a “Cinderella” story. With Leon Draisaitl (one of the top three players in the world), Tim Stützle, and Moritz Seider, they have elite pillars at forward and defense. They play a heavy, NHL-style game that matches up well against the U.S. and Canada.
- Switzerland, the dark horse: No longer content just to participate, the Swiss have evolved into a team that expects to win. They have become the “giant killer” of international play, consistently pushing traditional hockey powerhouses to the brink.
X‑factor players to watch from every country
With NHL players back on the Olympic stage, the depth of talent on display in Milan will be unmatched. Beyond the captains and superstars, here are the specific athletes who could be the difference-makers in the hunt for gold.
Canada – Cale Makar (D)
McDavid and Crosby will dominate headlines, but Makar may be the most important player on the roster. His ability to control pace, escape pressure, and quarterback the power play could be the difference in tight games. If he takes over shifts the way he does in the NHL playoffs, Canada becomes nearly unbeatable.
United States – Jack Hughes (C/W)
Matthews is the finisher, but Hughes is the engine. His ability to create off the rush and break down defensive structures gives the U.S. a dimension Canada struggles to match. If Hughes is healthy and dominant, the U.S. can run-and-gun with anyone.
Sweden – Rasmus Dahlin (D)
Hedman is the veteran anchor, but Dahlin is the swing piece. If he plays with the confidence and aggression he’s shown in Buffalo, Sweden’s blue line becomes the best in the tournament. His ability to activate offensively could solve their scoring depth issues.
Finland – Sebastian Aho (C)
Aho is the perfect Finnish player: smart, relentless, and lethal when given space. He’s the one forward who can elevate Finland’s offense from “structured” to “dangerous.” If he produces at a point-per-game pace, Finland becomes a medal favorite.
Czechia – David Pastrnák (RW)
Pastrnák is the most explosive scorer outside North America. If he gets hot, he can single-handedly swing a knockout game. The Czechs go as far as he takes them.
Germany – Tim Stützle (C/W)
Draisaitl is the superstar, but Stützle is the spark. His speed and creativity give Germany a second elite threat—something they’ve never had before. If he thrives, Germany becomes a legitimate semifinal contender.
Switzerland – Roman Josi (D)
Josi is the best Swiss player ever, and his ability to drive offense from the back end is unmatched. If he controls games the way he does in Nashville, Switzerland can upset anyone.
Slovakia – Juraj Slafkovský (F)
The 2022 Olympic MVP is back, and this time he’s a seasoned NHL power forward. At only 17, Slafkovský led the Beijing Games in scoring and carried Slovakia to a historic Bronze. Now at 21, he’s the undisputed engine of Slovak hockey.
