NHL Players Gear Up for Olympic Glory in Italy

As the National Hockey League (NHL) approaches a break, players are turning their focus to the upcoming Olympic Games in Italy. This year marks a significant return of NHL players to the Olympics, with the first tournament featuring top-tier athletes from the league since 2014. Following the conclusion of Thursday night’s games, players selected to represent their countries will prepare for the competition, which kicks off on February 7, 2024, with a match between Finland and Slovakia at 10:40 a.m. ET.

The tournament includes ten countries: Canada, the United States, Sweden, Czechia, Switzerland, Germany, France, Latvia, Denmark, and host nation Italy. The stakes are high, with Finland aiming to defend their gold medal from the 2022 Olympics, while Canada looks to reclaim the title they last won in 2014. NHL teams have a vested interest in the tournament, hoping their star players return unscathed and ready for the second half of the season.

Key Players from Every Team

The final NHL power rankings before the Olympic break highlight the players who will pursue their Olympic dreams. The Tampa Bay Lightning leads the rankings with a record of 36-14-4. Winger Brandon Hagel will represent Canada, while injured forward Brayden Point is still expected to join him. Victor Hedman will lead Sweden’s defense alongside Pontus Holmberg, while J.J. Moser aims to make an impact for Switzerland.

Following closely in the rankings, the Colorado Avalanche (37-9-9) boasts key players like centre Nathan MacKinnon and defenceman Cale Makar, both critical to Canada’s Olympic endeavors. Meanwhile, winger Gabriel Landeskog is preparing to represent Sweden, and Martin Necas will suit up for Czechia.

The Carolina Hurricanes (35-15-6) will send goalie Frederik Andersen and winger Nikolaj Ehlers to represent Denmark. The team’s blueline will be bolstered by Jaccob Slavin, who will be a key defender for Team USA, while Sebastian Aho will lead Finland’s efforts.

The Dallas Stars (34-14-9) have four players who will play vital roles for Team Finland, including defencemen Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell. Their teammate Jake Oettinger will don the jersey for the United States, as Radek Faksa will contribute to Czechia’s performance.

Impact of the Olympics on NHL Teams

The Minnesota Wild (34-14-10) will see defenceman Quinn Hughes return to international play after missing the 4 Nations due to injury. He will be accompanied by Brock Faber and Matt Boldy. The team’s Swedish goalie duo, Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt, will also head to Italy, showcasing the depth of talent in the NHL.

Other notable representatives include the Buffalo Sabres (32-18-8), with American forward Tage Thompson and Swedish defenceman Rasmus Dahlin. The Detroit Red Wings (33-19-6) are sending Moritz Seider and forward Dylan Larkin to the Games, while the Montreal Canadiens (32-17-8) will feature Alexandre Texier for France and rookie centre Oliver Kapanen for Finland, alongside potential contributions from Nick Suzuki.

The Boston Bruins (32-20-5) will have Charlie McAvoy back on Team USA’s blueline, eager to make an impact after his injury at the 4 Nations tournament. David Pastrnak will lead the Czech team at the opening ceremonies, while team dynamics are further enhanced with players like Henri Jokiharju and Joonas Korpisalo stepping in for Finland.

As the Olympic flame ignites in Italy, NHL players will have the opportunity to showcase their skills on a global stage, bringing their unique experiences back to their teams. For many athletes, competing in the Olympics embodies the pinnacle of their careers, providing lessons and memories that resonate throughout their professional journeys. With a total of nine players from teams like Florida, Tampa Bay, and Minnesota heading to Italy, the NHL’s representation at the Olympics promises to be a thrilling chapter in the world of hockey.