Olympics: 2026 Roster predictions

[Czechboy]

Oh, sorry, I didn't notice it was from 2021! Makes sense then.

It'd be different today.. still wrong but different haha

 

[Czechboy]

My Czech roster projection (it is obviously extremely tricky to project a 2026 roster in 2023):

Vaněček, Dostál, Vejmelka

Hronek, Zbořil, Jiříček, Gudas, Svozil, Král, Galvas, D. Špaček

Pastrňák, Hertl, Kulich, Nečas, Zacha, Kubalík, Vrána, Chytil, Rousek, Lauko, Kämpf, Faksa, Blümel, Smejkal

For 2026.. id include Spacek on D and probably Dvorak. We need a changing if the guard. Maybe Hrabal? Definitely Sale. Gudas may be done in 2026.

I'm obviously just speculating. Nice list!

 

[BigBadBoar]

For 2026.. id include Spacek on D and probably Dvorak. We need a changing if the guard. Maybe Hrabal? Definitely Sale. Gudas may be done in 2026.

I'm obviously just speculating. Nice list!

Špaček is included. )

Dvořák and Šalé: I assume more experienced players are better suitable for a very short tournament where teams have 1-2 practice slots before the first game. Youngsters would be OK if there was kind of a camp where they could be introduced into the system. But that's just my opinion.

 

[MNRube]

M.Tkachuk-Hughes-Robertson
B.Tkachuk-Matthews-T.Thompson
Connor-Eichel-C.Keller
Boldy-Beniers-Tuch

Slavin - McAvoy
Sanderson - Fox
K.Miller - Q.Hughes

Oettinger
Knight

I’m not sure Canada is bringing a stronger roster if USA keeps up its current trajectory.

 

[Miro4Norris]

NHL will piss over the hockey again. Finland

1st line
55

Ohtamaa A. (A)
4

Lehtonen M.

70

Hartikainen T.

65

Manninen S. (A)

60

Granlund Mar.

2nd line

31

Kemiläinen V.
38

Riikola J.
19

Merelä W.

74

Suomela A.

25

Rajala T.

3rd line

Matinpalo N.
50

Koivisto M.
82
Pesonen
13

Ruohomaa M.
76

Sallinen J.
4th line

2

Pokka V.
40

Lindbohm P.
12

Anttila M. (C)

91

Lammikko J.
29

Oksanen A

Excited to win b2b olympic gold

 

[KimiPalo7]

Nice job and wonderful graphics, but I REALLY don't like Team Canada.

Appreciate it man! What would you change about this Canadian team?

 

[KimiPalo7]

what are you thinking when you have erik gustafsson and klingberg on team sweden? we have much better players

What changes would you make to the swedish defence?

 

[Eye of Ra]

What changes would you make to the swedish defence?

Forsling and Rasmus Andersson instead of Klingberg and Erik Gustafsson

 

[KimiPalo7]

Forsling and Rasmus Andersson instead of Klingberg and Erik Gustafsson

That's actually a fair statement. Both will only be 29 years old in '26 so they have a realistic shot at top 6 minutes. Again, I'm not calling myself an expert, just making predictions and having fun while doing it.

 

[EK47]

Assuming NHL players will be allowed to participate(which I find increasingly unlikely) I’m guessing Söderblom, Berggren, Lundkvist, Öhgren, one of Lekkerimäki and Östlund will be there aswell.

 

[KimiPalo7]

Basically the same post only these are just the full rosters in alphabetic order, I also put the player's age at the start of the '26 olympics next to them. (Assuming every team will follow the format of 25 players (3 goalies, 8 d-men & 14 forwards))

 

[BigBadBoar]

Assuming NHL players will be allowed to participate(which I find increasingly unlikely) I’m guessing Söderblom, Berggren, Lundkvist, Öhgren, one of Lekkerimäki and Östlund will be there aswell.

What exactly are the news which make the NHL participation "increasingly unlikely"?

It is included in the NHL-NHLPA CBA, which literally is a legal document.
The IIHF-NHL-IOC talks are ongoing.
Why this pessimism?

 

[EK47]

What exactly are the news which make the NHL participation "increasingly unlikely"?

It is included in the NHL-NHLPA CBA, which literally is a legal document.
The IIHF-NHL-IOC talks are ongoing.
Why this pessimism?

The NHL does not want their players to participate in competitions not organized by them. Watch them pull out another soulless world cup attempt in 25’ and then find some loophole in the eleventh hour to pull participation just like they did last year.

 

[BigBadBoar]

The NHL does not want their players to participate in competitions not organized by them. Watch them pull out another soulless world cup attempt in 25’ and then find some loophole in the eleventh hour to pull participation just like they did last year.

Ok, so no actual argument, thanks...

 

[EK47]

Ok, so no actual argument, thanks...

They have no reason not to screw the players and the federations over when they have the kind of monopoly they have.

 

[BigBadBoar]

They have no reason not to screw the players and the federations over when they have the kind of monopoly they have.

There literally is a legal agreement about it. 2022 was cancelled due to the pandemic. Both NHL and IIHF stated earlier this year they are closing on the deal for 2026. Sorry, but I really prefer facts and evidence over impressions and speculation. Of course they might not reach the deal due to financial issues, insurance issues, schedule issues etc. But as by now, it is looking quite optimistic.

 

[EK47]

There literally is a legal agreement about it. 2022 was cancelled due to the pandemic. Both NHL and IIHF stated earlier this year they are closing on the deal for 2026. Sorry, but I really prefer facts and evidence over impressions and speculation. Of course they might not reach the deal due to financial issues, insurance issues, schedule issues etc. But as by now, it is looking quite optimistic.

I’ll believe it when I see the NHL-players arrive in Milan. I think you’re being naive. With that said I fully accept if you think I’m being a bitter pessimist

 

[BigBadBoar]

I’ll believe it when I see the NHL-players arrive in Milan. I think you’re being naive. With that said I fully accept if you think I’m being a bitter pessimist

Sorry man, but "you are being naive" is the most laughably stupid argument You could ever use in any kind of discussion. Bye.

 

[EK47]

Sorry man, but "you are being naive" is the most laughably stupid argument You could ever use in any kind of discussion. Bye.

I think the NHL regardless of any ”legally binding” document will find a way to weasel out of this, and you don’t, that’s fine.

 

[BigBadBoar]

I think the NHL regardless of any ”legally binding” document will find a way to weasel out of this, and you don’t, that’s fine.

Yes, that's OK. But the "you are being naive" argument is kind of ...

 

[EK47]

Yes, that's OK. But the "you are being naive" argument is kind of ...

First of I said, I think you’re being naive so that I wouldn’t offend. But let me rephrase it: I think its naive to assume that the NHL will sign a legally bindning document allowing their players to participate in a tournament midseason that is out of their control, without there being a way out.

 

[Goodman68]

Without wanting to decide this dispute.. According to the "organized" best-on-best tournaments in recent years, I would not really dare to say that the NHL is doing everything to make such a tournament really organized. We can hope that even they realize how embarrassing they are, but I certainly don't see any certainty...

 

[Czechboy]

Without wanting to decide this dispute.. According to the "organized" best-on-best tournaments in recent years, I would not really dare to say that the NHL is doing everything to make such a tournament really organized. We can hope that even they realize how embarrassing they are, but I certainly don't see any certainty...

I always laughed that 'covid' was the reason that it was cancelled.lol Don't forget the 4 week quarantine in China if anyone gets it.

1. The hockey tournmanet happened with professional hockey players from all over Europe. Are they more immune to Covid than the ones in the NHL? Not sure why Smejkal can go but not Pastrnak?

2. Not one person sat in a quarantine for 4 weeks in China after the Olympics

It was all bullshit.. NHL lost games to covid which cost them money and they wanted to make that up by having more games.

2018 they cancelled becasue they don't like it.

NHL will not participate in 2018 Olympics | NHL.com

League announces no break in 2017-18 schedule for PyeongChang Games, says 'matter officially closed'

www.nhl.com

It's an NHL issue to my eyes. Can't wait to see what bullshit they come up with for 2026! My guess is killer bees in the Italian Alps.

 

[BigBadBoar]

2022 was cancelled due to COVID. There was a new mutation, nobody knew what was going to happen, especially in China. The quarantine rules were strict everywhere back then. NHL itself had many players quarantined and games postponed. There is no need for alternative explanation.

Of course the NHL bosses will never like the players going to the Olympics. But there is also the NHLPA, collective bargaining issues. It is always about negotiation between all sides involved, with uncertain results of course.

 

[waitin425]

God I pray we get this. McDavid will be 29 by the time. Sad really. Anyways, here is my TC prediction as of now.....

MacKinnon - McDavid - Marner - Triple M line
Stamkos - Crosby - Bedard - pair the young sniper with two vets feeding him and creating space
Fantilli - Point - Kyrou - Speed kills. Young Fantilli will be on the radar at the last minute after taking off in hi D+3 year
Cozens - Horvat - Thomas - Solid two way play
Suzuki

Morrissey - Makar - Double M
Power - Pietro - Douple P
Doughty - Dobson - Double D
Hamilton

Pick your own tendies....we are a mess in net