Olympics men’s hockey is back to a best-on-best tournament with the return of NHL players.
The league sent its players from 1998 to 2014, but didn’t in 2018 (lack of an agreement) and 2022 (need to make up games postponed by COVID). International tournaments are included in the latest collective bargaining agreement, so the league has shut down for several weeks to let players suit up for their national teams.
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As a result, NHL players will be plentiful on the rosters of most of the 12 countries participating in Milan. Nineteen of the league’s top 25 scorers are at the tournament.
Here are some top NHL players to watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics:
Canada’s Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers): The three-time Hart Trophy winner has gone to the Stanley Cup Final the last two seasons and was playoff MVP in 2024 in a losing effort. He scored the overtime winner at the 4 Nations Face-Off and is the NHL’s top scorer.
Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche): He won a Stanley Cup in 2022 and was league MVP in 2024. He won MVP of the 4 Nations. He was the leading scorer for much of this season before McDavid passed him.
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Canada’s Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins): The Canadian captain is the NHL’s most recognizable name. He won three Stanley Cup titles and two Olympic gold medals, scoring the overtime winner in 2010. He ranks eighth in all-time NHL scoring, recently passing Penguins legend Mario Lemieux.
Germany’s Leon Draisaitl (Oilers): He’s considered the NHL’s second-best player behind McDavid and won the Hart Trophy in 2020.
USA’s Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets): The goaltender won the Vezina Trophy the past two seasons and three times overall. He was voted league MVP last season.
USA’s Matthew (Florida Panthers) and Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators): They were forces at the 4 Nations, both scoring twice in the opener and starting fights in the first Canada game. Though fighting isn’t allowed in the Olympics, they will be disruptive forces. Matthew has won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles.
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USA’s Quinn Hughes (Minnesota Wild): The defenseman missed the 4 Nations with an injury and the USA missed his puck-moving ability. Hughes won the Norris Trophy in 2023-24 and has 34 points in 26 games since his trade to Minnesota. His brother, Jack, also plays for the USA.
Finland’s Mikko Rantanen (Dallas Stars): He’s a clutch scorer with 123 points in 99 NHL playoff game. He’ll be looking for a better performance after getting only one point at the 4 Nations.
Czechia’s David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins): He ranks sixth in NHL scoring this season and had a 61-goal season in 2022-23 and a league-best 48 in the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season. He has has three 100-point seasons.
Slovakia’s Juraj Slafkovsky (Montreal Canadiens): He was MVP of the 2022 Olympics, scoring seven goals as Slovakia won bronze. He then was taken No. 1 overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. He scored the opening goal of this year’s tournament and finished with two goals and an assist in a win against Finland.
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Sweden’s Lucas Raymond (Detroit Red Wings): He’s the top NHL scorer among Swedish Olympics and with 60 points this season, he is on pace for a career high.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Top NHL players at the 2026 Winter Olympics
