The NHL will take center stage at the 2026 Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014, as star-studded rosters featuring Nathan MacKinnon, Jack Eichel and more head to Milan Cortina. In the men’s ice hockey competition, Canada will head in as the favorites to win their first gold medal since 2014. Sidney Crosby, at age 38, will look to win his third gold medal for Team Canada, as he returns from the 2010 and 2014 games.
In 2018, the gold medal went to the Olympic athletes from Russia while Finland stood supreme in 2022, both years in which NHL players did not join the rosters. Russia will not participate in the 2026 tournament.
The United States team, with the Hughes brothers, the Tkachuk brothers and Connor Hellebuyck in net will look to claim their first medal since 2010, when they won silver. They are currently +200, behind Canada but slightly ahead of Sweden, Finland and Czechia.
Leon Draisaitl will take his dominant goal-scoring touch (which has him ranked No. 4 in ESPN Fantasy Hockey) to the German national team. Host nation Italy is 400-1.
The men’s Olympic ice hockey tournament begins on Feb. 11 with the gold medal game on Feb. 22.
Odds to win the gold medal
Canada, +140
USA, +200
Sweden, +500
Finland, +800
Czechia, 12-1
Switzerland, 16-1
Slovakia, 80-1
Germany, 80-1
Latvia, 250-1
Denmark, 250-1
Italy, 400-1
France, 400-1
Women’s Olympic ice hockey tournament
North American rivals, the United States and Canada, have combined to win every women’s Olympic ice hockey gold medal since the sport was added in 1998. The odds reflect that history of dominance, as the USA squad sits at -120 and the Canadian team at -105.
American captain Hilary Knight will participate in her fifth and final Olympics. The 2025 PWHL points leader will look to win her second gold medal and first for the team since 2018. Laila Edwards, from the defending NCAA champion Wisconsin Badgers, will make her Olympic debut for the Americans. Edwards was named the MVP at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship.
Team Canada’s full Olympic roster will be announced Jan. 15.
Captain Marie-Philip Poulin will look to add to her collection of gold medals for Team Canada. Poulin scored the gold medal-winning goal in three of the four Olympic finals in which she participated.
The women’s Olympic ice hockey tournament begins on Feb. 5 with the gold medal game on Feb. 19.
Odds to win the gold medal
USA, -120
Canada, -105
Czechia, 25-1
Finland, 30-1
Sweden, 65-1
Switzerland, 100-1
Japan, 200-1
Germany, 200-1
Italy, 500-1
France, 500-1
