The 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics will be the first Olympics to feature NHL players since the 2014 Sochi Olympics, when Canada brought home gold. What does everyone expect from the first best-on-best Olympic tournament in over a decade? Here are a few thoughts from team members of The Win Column on how the 2026 Olympics will go.
Who will play in the Gold medal game? Who will win Gold?
Simon Szyszkowski: Canada vs. USA. This is one of those things that I really hope I’m wrong about. I completely believe this matchup is a coin flip at this point. Their games in the 4 Nation Faceoff were very close, but Canada just isn’t going to beat the Americans every single time anymore. The talent level of both teams is way too close for that. I think a heartbreaking loss for Canada is coming; I think the United States take gold.
Joshua Serafini: Canada and the USA seem like they’re once again on a crash course to a showdown in the gold medal game. They’re the best two teams at the tournament, and with some injuries for both Sweden and Finland, I’d be shocked if they’re able to knock off one 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 defence and goaltending aren’t incredible, no one can match their star talent up front.
Khalid Keshavjee: You have to say Canada/USA, right? As good as the Swedes are, it’s hard to imagine them knocking off either of the other two. I can’t imagine the US beating Canada, even if they play a highly defensive system or try to shut down Canada’s top scorers. Gonna be a Canada win.
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 aren’t here, and unless Czechia pulls off a massive upset, Canada and the USA will once again battle for Olympic gold. Last year, I reluctantly took the USA 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’m not betting against Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby. Canada will be at the top of the world for the first time since 2014.
Jashan Parmar: Canada vs USA. There really isn’t an argument against it. I think everyone is expecting these two to play for Gold.
Who will lead the tournament in scoring?
Simon Szyszkowski: I’m gonna go with probably the biggest favourite to do it and say Connor McDavid. He leads the NHL in points right now, and I don’t think it would shock anyone to see him have a monster tournament, especially in the group stage.
Joshua Serafini: I think this will come down to who can rack up the most points in blowout games during the group stage. For that reason, I’m going with Jack Eichel. The Americans have an incredibly easy group with Germany, Latvia and Denmark. All 3 of those games could be major blowouts, so I’ll take the Americans’ top centre to finish the tournament with the most points.
Khalid Keshvajee: I’m going to say Nathan Mackinnon. I feel like his line will get more of the offensive zone starts, and he will undoubtedly play PP1. He’s a guy who elevates in big games, and I think he’ll make his mark this year.
Alex Russo: I once again think it will be a Canadian at the top here. Both MacKinnon and McDavid have been waiting for the chance to play in the Olympics nicely for a long time, and they both come into this tournament absolutely dominating the NHL. They’re playing some of the best hockey they have 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 when they have the motivation to be the best.
Jashan Parmar: I’m going to say Sidney Crosby. In what will almost definitely be his final Olympics, Sid is going to be playing a ton 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 tournament MVP?
Simon Szyszkowski: I am gonna go a bit off the board and say Connor Hellebuyck. I think for the United States to do well, it needs to start between the pipes. Hellebuyck has had troubles in big games in the past; this will be a massive chance for him to flip the narrative.
Joshua Serafini: In the last three Olympics with NHLers, the MVP didn’t go to a member of the gold medal-winning team. I’ll say that the trend ends in 2026, with Connor McDavid picking up the MVP. McDavid has had to wait a decade to suit up for Canada on the biggest stage, so I think he’ll be highly motivated and carry Canada to Gold.
Khalid Keshavjee: This one is going to be Sidney Crosby. Captain Canada is going to be consistently excellent all 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 have 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, 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 3. 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 favourites for a goaltending spot on Team USA in 2030, and if Honzek is still a Flame, he’ll be a lock for Slovakia. You’d like to think players like Coronato, Parekh, and maybe even someone like Gridin have a chance by then, too. Or how about Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg? I’ll 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. You’ll have the likes of Sam Honzek and Martin Pospisil for Slovakia, and one more for another small team. I don’t think the US goes with either Wolf or Coronato, and I doubt Parekh gets there for 2030 either. If the Flames walk away with McKenna, it could be him, but it’s more likely to be 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, in four years, should be a lock for Team USA between the pipes, and I’ll be very optimistic in saying that Zayne Parekh will also make his way onto Team Canada. However, if the Flames draft, let’s say, a Gavin McKenna or an Ivar Stenberg, that number could get to three. Samuel Honzek could also be in play for Slovakia (he would have made the team this year before his injury), but we’ll see how his career develops.
Jashan Parmar: Dustin Wolf will almost certainly be on the USA team in Nice. Parekh definitely has a chance, so let’s be optimistic and say he will. Pospisil and Honzek have really good chances to play for Slovakia in 2030 as well. Hopefully, Gavin McKenna gets 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 12 long years, best-on-best hockey is back on the Olympic stage. With NHLers officially back in the mix, the 2026 Olympics should be a wild ride.