Many have made predictions about the lineups for the 2026 and 2030 Winter Olympics after it was recently announced that the NHL will permit players to compete. Although a lot might change in the next two years, some players will undoubtedly be present, barring injuries. It’s also critical to keep in mind that during that period, NHL team rosters will fluctuate.
The Writers of Hockey Although three Wild players made the list, Tony Wolak’s estimations for the countries that would compete in the Olympics in 2026—the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden—do not preclude the possibility of more. We’ll examine each nation and the potential players on those teams in this post; we’ll begin with Team USA.
Tony’s anticipated Team USA lineup did not contain any players from the Wild; however, one player was left off, and more may need to be added as the seasons progress. The first player who narrowly missed the cut is Matt Boldy, who has struggled offensively this season. Just before the All-Star Break, he finally hit a scoring run, but in their first game back, he had several opportunities but was unable to convert.
Though he did score in their second matchback, it was fleeting, and if he wants to be considered for Team USA, he will need to find a way to contribute more. He is talented, yet he finds it difficult to express it. The second guy to be taken into consideration is Brock Faber, particularly if his output keeps up this high.
He is even a candidate for the NHL’s Calder Trophy for best rookie. Despite his injuries, Connor Bedard will probably still win it, but Faber is finally getting acknowledged. His defensive prowess makes him a great candidate for Team USA in 2026 if his play continues to improve. There are many good defensive candidates, so it doesn’t guarantee he’ll succeed, but he deserves a chance.
All three of the Wild players who were predicted for the Olympics are on Team Sweden’s roster. Joel Eriksson Ek is a powerful, defensive-minded center with a knack for scoring goals, particularly on the power play, so it should come as no surprise. Although he is one of the NHL’s most underappreciated players, the fact that he made the Olympic team indicates that people are beginning to take notice. If his play holds up over the next two seasons, he deserves to be on that team.
