Olympics: 2026 Roster predictions

[The Cannon of Tesoma]

Potential, theoretical rosters of top hockey countries look damn scary.

Unfortunately it looks so the theory won't ever materialize in practice on ice.

 

[BigBadBoar]

Potential, theoretical rosters of top hockey countries look damn scary.

Unfortunately it looks so the theory won't ever materialize in practice on ice.

The chances are much higher than in 2018. The last news have been quite positive on this topic, but the final deal hasn't been made yet of course.

 

[Garl]

You can play with the potential roster for Russia in 2026, but Russia will not play there

For Sweden

Gustavsson
Ullmark
Markstrom/Lehner

Hedman
H.Lindholm
Brodin
Forsling
Dahlin
R.Andersson
Edvinsson
Karlsson

Landeskog
E.Lindholm
Forsberg
Pettersson
Bratt
Eriksson Ek
W.Nylander
Kempe
Raymond
Holtz
L.Carlsson
Zibanejad
Burakovsky
Soderblom

 

[PecnoTrunk]

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

We need to get off the old player horse. Really

These players have slowed significantly and there are now better players:
Stamkos
Doughty
Pietrangelo

We will see about Crosby at age 38

 

[waitin425]

We need to get off the old player horse. Really

These players have slowed significantly and there are now better players:
Stamkos
Doughty
Pietrangelo

We will see about Crosby at age 38

All three are needed for veteran leadership. Beyond that they think the game at the most elite levels. Stammer is still producing at an elite rate. I'm open to younger players moving up, but as of now, this is the team I'd bring. Lots of time for things to change on that front.

 

[PecnoTrunk]

All three are needed for veteran leadership. Beyond that they think the game at the most elite levels. Stammer is still producing at an elite rate. I'm open to younger players moving up, but as of now, this is the team I'd bring. Lots of time for things to change on that front.

I disagree. When you are playing against the best and fastest you need to bring the fastest and best. They are past their prime and we have no need for them

Look at last Olympic, they brought staal , who has lots and lots of experience but really past his prime and slow. Didn’t do much for us.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

All three are needed for veteran leadership. Beyond that they think the game at the most elite levels. Stammer is still producing at an elite rate. I'm open to younger players moving up, but as of now, this is the team I'd bring. Lots of time for things to change on that front.

We'll have to see about Doughty and Pietrangelo as Canada isn't exactly bursting at the seams with elite young defenseman (and elite defensemen can age a lot better than forwards can), but I think Canada will and should pass on Stamkos. In fact, I'd be hard-pressed to put him on my team if there was a tournament this summer/fall, let alone in 2 1/2+ years. His playoff performances leave a lot to be desired, even if his regular season production is still really strong.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Way too early, but I'll do it anyway:

Crosby - McDavid - Bedard
Dubois - MacKinnon - Marner
McTavish - Point - Mercer
Thomas - Suzuki - Cozens
Johnston, Cirelli

Toews - Makar
Byram - Drysdale
Power - Pietrangelo
Theodore, Dobson

Hart
Skinner
Jarry

I like the idea of Crosby on McDavid's wing with Bedard. I think he'll still be a star in the NHL at the age of 38 and able to play top minutes at the highest pace. Some good young players throughout the lineup, but the strength of the Canadian team is still down the middle. I really like Stone and Marchand but believe they'll be a little too old by 2026.

 

[weklof]

It is very hard to predict so far in the future, players will break out and have declines. But I'll try a guess for Team Sweden, ages in 2026:

Jesper Wallstedt 24
Linus Ullmark 33
Filip Gustavsson 28

Hampus Lindholm 32 - Rasmus Dahlin 26
Simon Edvinsson 23 - Adam Larsson 34
Victor Hedman 36 (C) - Rasmus Andersson 30
Rasmus Sandin 26

Filip Forsberg 32 - Elias Pettersson 28 - William Nylander 30 (A)
Jesper Bratt 28 - Mika Zibanejad 33 - Adrian Kempe 30
Liam Öhgren 22 - Leo Carlsson 22 - Lucas Raymond 24
William Karlsson 33 - Joel Eriksson-Ek 29 (A) - Elias Lindholm 32
Jonatan Berggren 26

 

[HFpapi]

It's been well documented that Canada has historically weak goaltending and D right now, but even the forwards might need to be called into question.

One thing we've all had on auto-pilot when constructing a Team Canada for the last, what, 7-8 years maybe, was the Marchand-Crosby-Bergeron line.

Bergy might be retiring and Marchand looks like he's on the decline based on 2nd half of last year. Crosby is aging like fine wine but at nearly 36 his days as a top flight player must be numbered. You can pretty confidently scratch that line for the next best-on-best.

Without that line and all 3 being at the tops of their game, our forwards are starting to look a little pedestrian too.

Beyond McDavid, Mackinnon, Point, Marner, and an aging Crosby, we just have a whole mess of players in the same general tier vying for spots and i can't say they look great.

Nothing against Suzuki, Cozens, Kyrou, Thomas et al, but if that's our next wave before Bedard/Fantili, we are in trouble. USA has clearly passed us for the time being.

 

[EK47]

Based on what Hallam seems to like

Sörensen - Lindholm - Everberg
X - De la Rose - X
-||-
-||-

Tömmernes - X
X - X
-||-

 

[danyhabsfan]

It's been well documented that Canada has historically weak goaltending and D right now, but even the forwards might need to be called into question.

One thing we've all had on auto-pilot when constructing a Team Canada for the last, what, 7-8 years maybe, was the Marchand-Crosby-Bergeron line.

Bergy might be retiring and Marchand looks like he's on the decline based on 2nd half of last year. Crosby is aging like fine wine but at nearly 36 his days as a top flight player must be numbered. You can pretty confidently scratch that line for the next best-on-best.

Without that line and all 3 being at the tops of their game, our forwards are starting to look a little pedestrian too.

Beyond McDavid, Mackinnon, Point, Marner, and an aging Crosby, we just have a whole mess of players in the same general tier vying for spots and i can't say they look great.

Nothing against Suzuki, Cozens, Kyrou, Thomas et al, but if that's our next wave before Bedard/Fantili, we are in trouble. USA has clearly passed us for the time being.

I think we're fine on offence.

Possibly Bedard, Fantilli from this year draft + some players from the upcoming draft.


Johnston and Johnson are stud.

Their is also Suzuki, Thomas, Kyrou, Batherson and Mercer who are good young players.


Don't forget about Barzal


Huberdeau will bounce back.

 

[Antiillafire]

If Slovakia qualifies (no KHLers included):

Slafkovsky - Dvorsky - Cehlarik
Honzek - Ruzicka - Ciernik
Regenda - Hrivik - Kelemen
Chromiak - Sukel - Mesar

Cernak - Nemec
Fehervary - Ceresnak
Knazko - Strbak

Hlavaj
Skorvanek
Gajan

 

[Zippy316]

For US’ sake, I really hope this Olympics ends up happening. They are going to put together an absolutely insane roster.

Robertson - Eichel - DeBrincat
J. Hughes - Matthews - M. Tkachuk
Connor - Thompson - Tuch
B. Tkachuk - Larkin - Guentzel
Gaudreau - Zegras
Extras: Terry, Keller, Beniers, Caufield, Boldy, Pacioretty, Miller, Kreider, Nelson, Norris

Q. Hughes - MacAvoy
Slavin - Fox
Werenski - Miller
L. Hughes - Sanderson
Extras: Samuelsson, Jones, Pesce, Carlson, Fowler, Lindgren, Marino

Hellebuyck
Oettinger
Demko

It’s absolutely insane how much that Hughes/Caufield age group has turned into star NHL players. Going to be so many tough decisions to make, especially at forward. You’re almost assuredly going to be dropping skilled forwards like Keller, Gaudreau, Zegras to build a more complete team with guys better suited to fourth line/PK roles like Larkin.

 

[Half Clapper]

For US’ sake, I really hope this Olympics ends up happening. They are going to put together an absolutely insane roster.

Robertson - Eichel - DeBrincat
J. Hughes - Matthews - M. Tkachuk
Connor - Thompson - Tuch
B. Tkachuk - Larkin - Guentzel
Gaudreau - Zegras
Extras: Terry, Keller, Beniers, Caufield, Boldy, Pacioretty, Miller, Kreider, Nelson, Norris

Q. Hughes - MacAvoy
Slavin - Fox
Werenski - Miller
L. Hughes - Sanderson
Extras: Samuelsson, Jones, Pesce, Carlson, Fowler, Lindgren, Marino

Hellebuyck
Oettinger
Demko

It’s absolutely insane how much that Hughes/Caufield age group has turned into star NHL players. Going to be so many tough decisions to make, especially at forward. You’re almost assuredly going to be dropping skilled forwards like Keller, Gaudreau, Zegras to build a more complete team with guys better suited to fourth line/PK roles like Larkin.

Gaudreau won't be an extra skater on team USA buddy. He is better than Tuch, Guentzel, connor, and debrincat.

 

[Czechboy]

It's been well documented that Canada has historically weak goaltending and D right now, but even the forwards might need to be called into question.

One thing we've all had on auto-pilot when constructing a Team Canada for the last, what, 7-8 years maybe, was the Marchand-Crosby-Bergeron line.

Bergy might be retiring and Marchand looks like he's on the decline based on 2nd half of last year. Crosby is aging like fine wine but at nearly 36 his days as a top flight player must be numbered. You can pretty confidently scratch that line for the next best-on-best.

Without that line and all 3 being at the tops of their game, our forwards are starting to look a little pedestrian too.

Beyond McDavid, Mackinnon, Point, Marner, and an aging Crosby, we just have a whole mess of players in the same general tier vying for spots and i can't say they look great.

Nothing against Suzuki, Cozens, Kyrou, Thomas et al, but if that's our next wave before Bedard/Fantili, we are in trouble. USA has clearly passed us for the time being.

And D?

 

[TheGoldenGod]

USA looks the team to beat

 

[Czechboy]

3 years from now.. yikes..

G - Dostal, Hrabal and Vanecek

D - Jiricek, Hronek, Svozil, Spacek, Galvas, Kral

F - Pasta, Hertl, Vrana, Chytil, Necas, Sale, Kulich, Zadina, Kaut, Jenik, Lauko, Kampf,, Kubalik

Yes, this will age poorly but 3 years is hard to tell...

Other names that may be in consideration by then... Sapo, Hamara, Krutil, Patera, Vladar, Dvorak, Mysak, Jagr and Rousek

Of course add in Extraliga guys that won't be able to keep up... Frolik, Sobotka, Jordan, Moravcik and Lakatos.

 

[Zippy316]

Gaudreau won't be an extra skater on team USA buddy. He is better than Tuch, Guentzel, connor, and debrincat.

I agree that he is better, but there’s an argument that his skill set is redundant on the team in a way, especially in two years time. A lot of skilled playmaking forwards on that roster who love to have the puck on their stick. There’s only one puck to go around.

That third and fourth line also probably places more of an emphasis on fulfilling special team roles. You’re going to need your net front guys, forwards with size, forwards who will play bumper roles on the PP, forwards to kill PKs and other defensive situations, etc.

Admittedly, I thought Guentzel killed penalties, but maybe mistakening him for Rust. Either way, I don’t think Gaudreau would be a part of a fourth line anyways, would probably swap Guentzel out for the next best defensive forward. Beniers/Boldy would probably be my next choice.

 

[Goodman68]

3 years from now.. yikes..

G - Dostal, Hrabal and Vanecek

D - Jiricek, Hronek, Svozil, Spacek, Galvas, Kral

F - Pasta, Hertl, Vrana, Chytil, Necas, Sale, Kulich, Zadina, Kaut, Jenik, Lauko, Kampf,, Kubalik

Yes, this will age poorly but 3 years is hard to tell...

Other names that may be in consideration by then... Sapo, Hamara, Krutil, Patera, Vladar, Dvorak, Mysak, Jagr and Rousek

Of course add in Extraliga guys that won't be able to keep up... Frolik, Sobotka, Jordan, Moravcik and Lakatos.

Kaut
Zadina
Sapo, Rousek, Jágr

 

[Czechboy]

Kaut
Zadina
Sapo, Rousek, Jágr

Kaut and zadina will be winning scoring titles by then... In Austria.lol

 

[swissexpert]

Fiala - Hischier - Malgin
Niederreiter - Corvi - Meier
Andrighetto - Suter - Richard
Kurashev - Haas - Knak
Derungs/Canonica/Biasca

Josi - Siegenthaler
Moser - Bichsel
Kukan - Berni
Sidler/Geisser/Delemont

Schmid
Van Pottelberge
Wüthrich/Patenaude

 

[Eye of Ra]

Fiala - Hischier - Malgin
Niederreiter - Corvi - Meier
Andrighetto - Suter - Richard
Knak - Haas - Bertschy
Derungs/Canonica/Biasca

Josi - Siegenthaler
Moser - Bichsel
Kukan - Geisser
Sidler/Delemont/Egli

Schmid
Van Pottelberge
Wüthrich/Patenaude

poor berni, never gets any love

 

[kudla]

poor berni, never gets any love

How about Kurashev?

 

[swissexpert]

How about Kurashev?

Forgot about him
Berni has a lot to improve but is surely a candidate as well.