The Olympic Games Milan Cortina 2026 will be the first Olympics to feature NHL players since the 2014 Sochi Olympics, when Canada took home gold. What does everyone expect from the first best-on-best Olympic tournament in more than a decade? Here are a few thoughts from team members The Win Column about how the 2026 Olympic Games will proceed.
Who will play in the Gold Medal Match? Who will win gold?
Simon Szyszkowski: Canada vs USA This is one of those things I hope I’m wrong about. I fully believe this match is a coin flip at this point. Their matches in the 4 Nation Faceoff were very close, but Canada won’t beat the Americans every time anymore. The talent level of both teams is far too close for that. I think a heartbreaking loss is coming for Canada; I think the United States will strike gold.
Joshua Serafini: It appears Canada and the US are once again on a crash course to a showdown in the battle for the gold medal. They are the top two teams in the tournament, and with some injuries for both Sweden and Finland, I would be shocked if they manage to take out either of the North American giants. For the gold I’ll take Canada. The Canadians have now won four straight best-on-best tournaments dating back to the 2010 Olympics, and while their defense and goaltending aren’t incredible, no one can match their star talent up front.
Khalid Keshavjee: You should say Canada/USA, right? As good as the Swedes are, it’s hard to imagine them beating either of the other two. I can’t imagine the US beating Canada even if they play a very defensive system or try to shut out Canada’s top scorers. It will be a victory for Canada.
Alex Russo: Canada vs USA They are the two best teams in the tournament, and I’m not sure it’s very close. Finland and Sweden are both missing key players due to injuries, the Russians are out, and unless the Czech Republic pulls off a massive upset, Canada and the US will once again be battling for Olympic gold. Last year I reluctantly went to the US to win gold at the 4Nations Face-Off, but I won’t be doing that again this year. The Canadian roster may have a few flaws, but I wouldn’t bet against Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby. Canada is at the top of the world for the first time since 2014.
Jashan Parmar: Canada vs USA There’s really no argument against it. I think everyone expects these two to play for gold.
Who will lead the tournament in terms of scoring?
Simon Szyszkowski: I’m going to go with probably the biggest favorite and say Connor McDavid. He currently leads the NHL in points, and I don’t think it would shock anyone to see him play a monster tournament, especially in the group stages.
Joshua Serafini: I guess this comes down to who can rack up the most points in blowout matches during the group stage. For that reason I’m going with Jack Eichel. The Americans have a very easy group with Germany, Latvia and Denmark. All three of these matches could be big bangers, so I’m going with the Americans in the middle to finish the tournament with the most points.
Khalid Keshwajee: I’m going to say Nathan Mackinnon. I have a feeling his line will get more offensive zone starts, and he will undoubtedly play PP1. He’s a guy who rises in big games, and I think he’ll make his mark this year.
Alex Russo: Once again I think it will be a Canadian at the top here. Both MacKinnon and McDavid have been waiting a long time for the opportunity to play nicely in the Olympics, and they both come into this tournament absolutely dominating the NHL. They’re playing the best hockey they’ve ever played. I’ll take McDavid; he wants to win gold, and he wants to be the best player in the tournament, and there is no better player on the planet if he has the motivation to be the best.
JAsan Parmar: I’m going to say Sidney Crosby. In what will almost certainly be his last Olympics, Sid is going to play a lot of minutes and will be on PP1, barring anything crazy. I think Sid shows why he is one of the greatest of all time.
Who will be the MVP of the tournament?
Simon Szyszkowski: I’m going to go off the board a little and say Connor Hellebuyck. I think if the United States wants to do well, they have to start from the pipes. Hellebuyck has had problems in big matches in the past; this will be a huge opportunity for him to turn the story around.
Joshua Serafini: In the last three Olympic Games involving NHLers, the MVP did not go to a member of the gold medal-winning team. I will say the trend ends in 2026 when Connor McDavid picks up the MVP. McDavid had to wait ten years to qualify for Canada on the biggest stage, so I think he will be very motivated and take Canada to gold.
Khalid Keshavjee: This one will be Sidney Crosby. Captain Canada will be consistently excellent throughout the tournament and will come away with the MVP.
Alex Russo: For every reason I mentioned above, it will be McDavid. I don’t think I need to explain myself any further than what I’ve already said.
Jashan Parmar: As I mentioned above, it will be Co-Captain Canada alongside Marie-Philip Poulin, and Sidney Crosby will be the MVP.
The Calgary Flames have one representative at the 2026 Olympics (Martin Pospisil). How many will they have in 2030?
Simon Szyszkowski: I think they will have at least three. Dustin Wolf for the United States, Zayne Parekh for Canada and whoever they get with their top pick in the 2026 Draft.
Joshua Serafini: Dustin Wolf should be one of the favorites for a goaltender spot on Team USA in 2030, and if Honzek is still a Flame, he will be a key figure for Slovakia. You’d like to think that players like Coronato, Parekh and maybe even someone like Gridin will also have a chance by then. Or how about Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg? I say Wolf, Honzek and McKenna/Stenberg, because why not.
Khalid Keshavjee: Let’s go with three Flames, but none of the big names will make it. For Slovakia you have players like Sam Honzek and Martin Pospisil, and one more for another small team. I don’t think the US will choose Wolf or Coronato, and I doubt Parekh will get there in 2030 either. If the Flames walk away with McKenna, it could be him, but it’s more likely a late-round European player who finds his way onto a team.
Alex Russo: With what the Flames have on the current roster, I’ll say two. Dustin Wolf should be a lock for Team USA between the pipes in four years, and I’ll be very optimistic in saying that Zayne Parekh will also find his way to Team Canada. However, if the Flames draft, say, a Gavin McKenna or an Ivar Stenberg, that number could increase to three. Samuel Honzek could also play for Slovakia (he was supposed to be in the squad this year before his injury), but we’ll see how his career develops.
Jashan Parmar: Dustin Wolf will almost certainly be part of the American team in Nice. Parekh certainly has a chance, so let’s be optimistic and say he will. Pospisil and Honzek have very good chances to play for Slovakia in 2030. Hopefully Gavin McKenna will be added to that list, and it will be five players, but as of right now I see four players.
Best-on-best is back
Finally, after twelve long years, best-on-best hockey is back on the Olympic stage. Now that NHLers are officially back in the mix, the 2026 Olympics should be a wild ride.
Related
#TWC #Olympic #Hockey #Roundtable #Victory #Column