NHL Players Back for Men’s Ice Hockey at 2026 Winter Olympics

The ice rinks have thawed once more with the return of National Hockey League (NHL) players to the Winter Olympics, marking a significant milestone after nearly a decade. The 2026 Milan-Cortina Games will see NHL talent return for what many are calling “best-on-best” competition following the league’s withdrawal from Beijing 2022 and initial absences at Pyeongchang 2018 due to pandemic disruptions.

This resurgence has reignited excitement, with the NHL’s last participation in the Olympics coming in 1998. At that time, Canada became a dominant force in international hockey; their most recent Olympic gold came in 2014. The league’s re-entry into the Games is seen as a triumph after years of negotiations over scheduling, insurance, and player safety issues culminated in an agreement reached in 2024.

However, this year’s tournament will not feature Russia or Belarus due to their ongoing ban from International Ice Hockey Federation events following their involvement with Ukraine’s invasion. The absence of these teams means the competition lacks some of its most illustrious stars: Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov, Artemi Panarin, and Alex Ovechkin. For many, this changes the tournament to “best-on-most-of-the-best.”

While some speculate that future Olympic tournaments might see a change in these exclusions, for now, it remains under the current ban. This is evident in anticipation around potential clashes between teams like the United States and Canada, viewed as the deepest and most complete teams at this year’s tournament.

Canada’s roster features standouts such as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Sidney Crosby. Nevertheless, questions linger about their goaltending depth, an area where Team USA is seen as stronger—owing to players like the Tkachuk brothers, Auston Matthews, and Jack Eichel. The United States is also bolstered by elite goaltending.

The rivals are pitted against each other in separate groups, potentially setting up dramatic knockout rounds or even a championship showdown on February 22. Despite this setup, the competition is poised to be more unpredictable than ever before—thanks to the presence of NHL stars and their fierce rivalries.

Interestingly, the Olympic tournament will unfold on ice surfaces smaller by about 10% compared to standard NHL rinks. This modification from the IIHF is expected to boost speed and physicality. Concerns were raised late last year regarding construction delays at the Milan venue but have been alleviated; players are now assured of playing on playable ice, a testament to organizers’ efforts.

Group play kicked off this week, with knockout rounds set for February 17. The gold medal match is penciled in for February 22. With NHL stars back in action and political absences reshaping the field, this year’s Olympics could prove even more thrilling than anticipated.