Leo Carlsson (21),forward,Anaheim
Until December,Leo Carlsson was the hottest Swede in points in the NHL,but lately things have slowed down for the Anaheim center – who is now out of action.
In the 3-1 victory against Dallas, on the night of Wednesday, the 21-year-old was missing due to a lower body injury. When he might be back, Anaheim has not communicated.
Leo Carlsson has had his big breakthrough in the NHL this season and accounted for 18 goals and 26 assists.Recently, however, he has been passed in the points league by the Olympic-current compatriots Lucas Raymond (14+35) and William Nylander (16+30).
Gabriel Landeskog (33), forward, Colorado
In the spring of 2025, Gabriel Landeskog made a comeback after almost three seasons of injury absence and several knee operations.Shortly after, the 33-year-old was one of the first six players that national team captain Sam hallam chose to give an early Olympic ticket – but the question is whether he can take advantage of it.
On January 4, Landeskog re-injured himself after colliding with the post in Colorado’s 1–2 loss against Florida. Coach Jared Bednar later said that his Swedish team captain will be out “a couple of weeks” anyway.
When confederation captain Sam Hallam a couple of days later spoke out in SVT however, he sounded far from despondent:
– We will not make any changes to the Olympic squad. I can’t say much more than that.
Joel Eriksson Ek (28), forward, Minnesota
Joel Eriksson Ek left with a so-called lower body injury when Minnesota beat Seattle 3-2 after overtime last week.
However,the hope is that it will not be anything serious for the two-way center selected for the Olympics.
– It was no big deal. he got a little stuck in some player at the bench. It wasn’t a tackle or anything like that, just an accident, coach John Hynes later reportedly said NHL.com and added:
– I think we will list him as “evaluated daily” and we will see what happens when we return home (to Minnesota).
Eriksson Ek has accounted for 32 points (11+21) in 45 games this season.
Philip Broberg (24),back,St Louis
Philip Broberg was one of the stalwarts in Sam Hallam’s Olympic squad and recently signed a lucrative six-year contract with the St Louis blues worth the equivalent of SEK 442 million.
Now, though, a concussion has disrupted uploading before the games in Milan. Against Vegas last weekend,Broberg was tackled hard into the rim and is now going through the NHL’s protocol for concussions.
At the beginning of the week, coach jim Montgomery gave reassuring news.
– broberg is okay. We are very pleased with his progress. He has no headache and was able to train today, he said according to the Athletic.
erik Karlsson (35), back, Pittsburgh
In a match against Boston recently, the accident happened to one of Tre Kronor’s most experienced players. Pittsburgh announced that Erik Karlsson suffered some form of lower-body injury that would keep the running back out for at least two weeks.
Though, the 35-year-old was quick to give reassuring details to both The evening paper and The Express: The Olympics should not be in danger.
Together with Gabriel Landeskog and Oliver Ekman-larsson, erik Karlsson is the only one in Tre Kronor’s squad with previous Olympic experience, from Sochi 2014. During his career, he has been named the NHL’s best defenseman three times: 2012, 2015 and 2023.
Victor Hedman (35), back, Tampa Bay
One of six that were selected already in June last year. However, an elbow injury has kept Victor Hedman out of action since December 9 and the Olympic debut has thus appeared to be hanging on a fragile thread.
The 35-year-old – two-time Stanley Cup winner and named the NHL’s best defenseman in 2018 – was poked to the surprise of many before the sochi Olympics in 2014, and since the games were decided without NHL players in 2018 and 2022, it has been doubtful whether Hedman would get to experience the biggest of national team tournaments.
But despite the injury,he is hopeful. The elbow has been operated on, the rehabilitation has gone as planned and Hedman himself expects to play at the Olympics in Milan.
Fact.Three Kronor OS tournament
● Tre Kronor lands in Milan on Febuary 8 – three days before the Olympic premiere against host nation Italy.
● All group matches are played in the newly built Santagiulia Arena, which will have a capacity of 14,000 spectators.
● The team consists of three goalkeepers, eight defenders and 14 forwards:
Goalkeepers: Jacob Markström (New Jersey), Filip Gustavsson (Minnesota), Jesper Wallstedt (Minnesota).
Slopes: Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay), Rasmus dahlin (Buffalo), Erik Karlsson (Pittsburgh), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Toronto), Gustav Forsling (Florida), Rasmus Andersson (Calgary), Jonas Brodin (Minnesota), Philip Broberg (St. Louis).
Forwards: Gabriel Landeskog (colorado), William Nylander (Toronto), Adrian Kempe (Los Angeles), Lucas Raymond (detroit), Elias Pettersson (Vancouver), Rickard Rakell (Pittsburgh), Leo Carlsson (Anaheim), Mika Zibanejad (New York Rangers), Jesper bratt (New Jersey), Filip Forsberg (Nashville), Joel Eriksson Ek (Minnesota), Elias Lindholm (Boston), Pontus Holmberg (Tampa Bay), Alex Wennberg (San Jose).
The game schedule:
February 11: Sweden–italy (21.10).
February 13: Finland–Sweden (12.10).
February 14: Sweden–Slovakia (12.10).
February 17: Possible round of 16.
February 18: Possible quarter-final.
February 20: Possible semi-finals.
February 21: Possible bronze match.
February 22: Possibly final.
NHL Stars Reignite Olympic flame: Milano Cortina 2026 Promises Unforgettable Hockey
Published: January 15,2026
Get ready,hockey fans! The ice at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is about to get a whole lot hotter.For the first time since 2014, the world’s greatest hockey players, including those from the National Hockey League (NHL), will converge to battle for Olympic glory. This monumental return promises a level of competition and star power not seen on the Olympic stage in over a decade, reigniting the passion for international hockey’s biggest prize.
The Olympic ice hockey tournaments are officially slated to run from february 5th to February 22nd, 2026 [[1]]. While the full schedule is still being finalized, early indications point to a thrilling start. The men’s tournament is set to kick off on February 11th, with a marquee matchup featuring Slovakia against Finland, followed by host nation Italy taking on Sweden [[3]]. This early clash between European powerhouses sets a high bar for the rest of the competition.
USA-Canada Showdown: A Rivalry Renewed
For American fans, the anticipation is palpable, especially with the U.S. Men’s National Team aiming for their first Olympic medal as 2010. Their journey begins on Thursday, February 12th, facing off against Latvia at 3:10 p.m. ET [[2]]. However, the true fireworks are expected when the U.S. Women’s team clashes with their archrivals, Canada, in a high-stakes group play encounter. This historic rivalry, often considered the pinnacle of women’s international hockey, is guaranteed to draw massive viewership and deliver edge-of-your-seat action.
The return of NHL talent is a game-changer. It elevates the Olympic tournament from a showcase of national pride to a true battle of the world’s best,akin to a mini-Stanley Cup Final on the international stage. Imagine Sidney Crosby or Connor McDavid donning their national colors, facing off against the likes of Auston Matthews or Nathan MacKinnon. This is the caliber of talent that will be on display, bringing an intensity and skill level that will captivate even casual sports fans.
What This Means for the Game
The decision to allow NHL players back into the Olympics is a meaningful victory for the sport. It ensures that the Olympic hockey tournament, often criticized for lacking the full spectrum of top-tier talent, will now feature the players fans most want to see. This move is expected to boost viewership, generate significant media attention, and inspire a new generation of hockey players worldwide. It’s a return to the glory days of Olympic hockey, reminiscent of the “Miracle on Ice” era, where the best faced the best.
While the excitement is undeniable, a potential counterargument could be the impact on the NHL season. Though, the league and the NHL Players’ Association have worked collaboratively to ensure a schedule that
