From Stockholm to Milan: NHL Stars Prep for 2026 Olympics at Worlds
The IIHF World Championship has taken on new significance this year as NHL players prepare for their long-awaited return to Olympic competition. For the first time since Sochi 2014, NHL stars will participate in the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. Players were kept out of the 2018 and 2022 Olympic Games due to disagreements over costs, insurance, and concerns about interrupting the NHL season. With that dispute resolved, the IIHF Championships has become more than just a site for gold — it’s a proving ground. The tournament offers players the chance to represent their countries now while building momentum for Olympic roster selection next February.
“Between Four Nations, this, and the Olympics coming up, I think the motivation for a lot of guys is to earn a roster spot or play with guys they could be on a team with in February,” said Sidney Crosby, captain of Team Canada and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Crosby is one of several stars using this tournament to strengthen connections and sharpen chemistry with likely Olympic teammates. He emphasized how the international schedule is bringing back the excitement fans missed. “Anyone who watched the Four Nations got pretty excited thinking about international hockey again,” he said. The message is clear: the path to Milan starts now.
The Four Nations Face-Off, held in February in Montreal and Boston, was the NHL’s first true best-on-best tournament since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Canada’s thrilling 3–2 overtime win over the United States, sealed by a Connor McDavid goal, reminded fans of the intensity and skill international play can deliver. That tournament reignited global interest and inspired many of the same players to compete at Worlds. It’s rare to see so much top-tier talent at the IIHF Championship, especially during the NHL playoffs. For players whose seasons ended early, this offers a meaningful way to keep playing, with national pride and Olympic implications.
This year’s World Championship features an impressive lineup of NHL stars: Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon for Canada, David Pastrnak for Czechia, Mika Zibanejad and Filip Forsberg for Sweden, and Jeremy Swayman in net for the United States. Swayman, who played in the Four Nations tournament, sees the Worlds as both an honor and a strategic opportunity. “This is a tournament where you can show what you’ve got on a global stage,” he said. “If we do our job here, it’s going to take care of the future for us.” Players aren’t just competing for medals — they’re putting themselves on display for national team decision-makers.
Beyond the rosters, the presence of NHL talent has elevated the overall excitement and visibility of the tournament. With many stars out of Stanley Cup contention, the World Championship has become a chance for fans to watch their favorite players thrive in a new setting. The blend of national pride, competitive fire, and Olympic stakes has turned Stockholm into the spotlight of spring hockey. As the medal round begins, every shift, save, and goal carries a little more weight. The World Championship is no longer just the season’s last stop — it’s the first step toward Olympic glory. “It’s always fun representing your country,” said MacKinnon. “And for some of us, this is just the beginning.”
