Olympic men’s hockey is returning to a best-on-best tournament with the return of NHL players.
The league sent its players from 1998 to 2014, but did not do so in 2018 (no deal) and 2022 (making up games postponed due to COVID). International tournaments are included in the latest collective bargaining agreement, which is why the league was closed for several weeks to allow players to suit up for their national teams.
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As a result, NHL players will be numerous on the lists of most of the 12 participating countries in Milan. Nineteen of the league’s top 25 scorers are present at the tournament.
Here are some of the top NHL players to watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics:
of Canada Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers): The three-time Hart Trophy winner made it to the Stanley Cup Final the past two seasons and was named playoff MVP in 2024 in a losing effort. He scored the game-winning goal in overtime on the 4 Nations faceoff and is the NHL’s leading scorer.
of Canada Nathan Mackinnon (Colorado Avalanche): He won a Stanley Cup in 2022 and was league MVP in 2024. He won the 4 Nations MVP title. He was the top scorer for much of this season before McDavid surpassed him.
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of Canada Sydney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins): The Canadian captain is the most recognizable name in the NHL. He has won three Stanley Cup titles and two Olympic gold medals, scoring the overtime winner in 2010. He recently ranks eighth in all-time NHL scoring. surpassing Penguins legend Mario Lemieux.
Germany Leon Draisaitl (Oilers): He is considered the second best player in the NHL behind McDavid and won the Hart Trophy in 2020.
the United States Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets): The goaltender has won the Vezina Trophy for the past two seasons and three times in total. He was voted league MVP last season.
the United States Matthew (Florida Panthers) and Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators): They were forces in the 4 Nations, both score twice in first game and start fighting in Canada’s first match. However fighting is not allowed at the Olympicsthey will be disruptive forces. Matthew won two consecutive Stanley Cup titles.
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the United States Quinn Hughes (Minnesota Wild): The defenseman missed the 4 Nations Tournament due to injury and the United States missed his ability to move the puck. Hughes won the Norris Trophy in 2023-24 and has 34 points in 26 games since being traded to Minnesota. His brother, Jack, also plays for the United States.
Finland Mikko Rantanen (Dallas Stars): He is a leading scorer with 123 points in 99 NHL playoff games. He will be looking for a better performance after securing just one point at the 4 Nations.
Czechia David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins): He ranks sixth among NHL scorers this season and had a 61-goal season in 2022-23 and a league-best 48 goals in the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season. He has three 100-point seasons.
Slovakia Juraj Slavkovsky (Montreal Canadiens): He was MVP of the 2022 Olympics, scoring seven goals as Slovakia won bronze. He was then selected first overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. He scored the first goal of this year’s tournament and finished with two goals and an assist in one match win against Finland.
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Sweden Lucas Raymond (Detroit Red Wings): He is the NHL’s leading scorer at the Swedish Olympics and with 60 points this season, he is on pace to reach a career high.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Top NHL Players at the 2026 Winter Olympics
