Finland’s best player is Juuse Saros
As the 2026 Winter Olympics reach the semi-finals, TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button joined Sarah Davis on SportsCenter and were asked who the most dangerous players were for Canada and Finland.
NHLRumors.com Transcripts
IIHF president hopes Russia and Belarus return as soon as possible
Sarah Davis: “Okay, Craig. Now let’s shift our focus to the other semi-final, starting with Finland.”
Craig Button: Juuse Saros is a top goaltender, and only he can win a game. And for Finland, short-handed, without (Aleksander) Sasha Barkov, they have a lot of offensive weapons, and they know how to play as a unit, but if they break down, Juuse Saros can be that guy. And when you think about the setbacks in the Olympics in these types of competitions, you need a goaltender who can stand on his head. Juuse Saross can do all that and more. So you have to find a way to solve him if you come from Canada, but Juuse Saros has to be the most dangerous player in Finland.”
NHL Rumors.com Note: Saros has been the reason why Finland has come this far. He made a mistake in the quarterfinal that could have cost Finland against Switzerland when he turned the puck over. However, he settled down and allowed his teammates to stage a comeback in the third period. Juuse Saros had to be the best player in Finland for guys like Arturri Lehkonen, Miro Heiskanen, Sebastian Aho, Anton Lundell and others to perform in the big moments.
Connor McDavid or Macklin Celebrini: who has been more dangerous?
Davis: “Okay, and let’s end with Canada, Craig. It really seems like a two-horse race between Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebriani, considering how much they’ve done in this tournament. So do you go for youth or experience?
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl thrive under pressure
Button: “Oh, it’s Connor McDavid all the way. He’s the best player on the planet, and he’s stepped onto the Olympic stage, and he’s owned it. He’s owned it in every way. He’s owned it. From the first shift of the first game, he’s set the tone physically, he’s been dangerous pretty much every time he’s been on the ice. And you see how the games have become more important. The challenges are getting bigger. And this is no shrinking violet with Connor McDavid.” In the absence of, possibly, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid will be asked to do more. No problem for Connor McDavid. Because when he’s asked to do more, he always delivers.
NHL Rumors.com Note: It’s Connor McDavid at all, and it’s not even close. He delivers for Canada. McDavid tied Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu’s record for most points in a single Olympic Games among 11 NHL players. There is a good chance that he will break the record in the semi-finals. Right behind him is Macklin Celebrini with nine points as a 19-year-old. Mitch Marner and Nick Suzuki also came out big. Not to mention Jordan Binnington the rescues he neededbut it’s all McDavid because of what he can do with his speed and puck skills.
The semi-final between Canada and Finland will take place on Friday morning. It will be quite a task Canada as they will play without it Sidney Crosby.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Rumors overviews and hot topics from around the league. We also post some stuff Instagram.
#dangerous #player #Canada #Finland #Olympic #Games