Eight NHL players to watch at the upcoming Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics shall be kicking off in simply over every week, and for the primary time since 2014, NHL gamers shall be participating within the hockey match. 

A number of of the league’s prime gamers shall be competing of their first Olympic Video games; 12 whole groups will play within the males’s match, with almost 150 NHLers invited and several other extra NHL-affiliated gamers becoming a member of. Who do you have to regulate? Let’s check out one participant from the highest eight groups.

Canada: Connor McDavid, ahead, Edmonton Oilers

Whereas Staff Canada options a number of superstars, comparable to Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby and Cale Makar, McDavid takes the spot because the NHL’s finest participant. Since Dec. 1, McDavid has a whopping 56 factors in 28 video games, eight greater than his subsequent closest counterpart. He needs to be the highest participant in Milan.

United States: Quinn Hughes, protection, Minnesota Wild

Hughes began the season a bit gradual because of commerce rumors, however following his transfer from the Vancouver Canucks to the Minnesota Wild, he is been on a torrid tempo. He has 26 factors in 22 video games with the Wild, and for the reason that commerce, leads the NHL in ice time with 28:11 TOI. After lacking the 4 Nations match with an harm, he’ll be motivated to guide America’s blue line this February.

Staff Sweden’s been hit with a little bit of an harm bug, with gamers like Leo Carlsson and Jonas Brodin unable to go well with up. Fortunately for them, Crimson Wings ahead and main Swedish scorer Lucas Raymond is able to lead his group. With 58 factors in 52 video games, Raymond clears the following highest Swede, Mika Zibanejad, who has 49 factors. At simply 23 years previous, he’ll definitely be a prime participant at his first Olympics.

Finland: Miro Heiskanen, protection, Dallas Stars

Heiskanen has cemented himself as one of many NHL’s finest blueliners over the previous few seasons. A fluid skater with nice two-way play, he’ll be leaned on for a Finnish protection that lacks a little bit of depth. One other bonus for Heiskanen? He is anticipated to play along with his present protection companion in Dallas, Esa Lindell. A well-recognized face ought to enable Heiskanen to really feel very snug on Staff Finland.

Czech Republic: David Pastrnak, ahead, Boston Bruins

Pastrnak is the clear-cut finest participant for the Czechs and is the sixth-leading scorer within the NHL (69 factors in 49 video games). Though the Czechs could also be a bit undermanned with simply 12 NHLers on the roster, having one of many league’s finest forwards ought to assist.

One other group missing NHLers (simply 10 whole), Josi, a former Norris Trophy winner, is predicted to anchor a defensive core for an upset-minded Swiss group. Regardless of missing the offense he has in years previous, Josi ought to get loads of ice time and play in all eventualities for Staff Switzerland.

Slovakia: Juraj Slafkovsky, ahead, Montreal Canadiens

The previous No. 1 total choose hasn’t fairly lived as much as expectations, however fortunately for Staff Slovakia, Slafkovsky has Olympic expertise. In 2022, then-17-year-old Slafkovsky helped lead Slovakia to a bronze medal; because the match’s prime aim scorer, he was additionally named MVP.

Germany: Leon Draisaitl, ahead, Edmonton Oilers

Draisaitl will play a giant function for Germany on a group that additionally consists of stalwart defenseman Moritz Seider and high-end middle Tim Stutzle. A former Hart Trophy winner and top-of-the-line gamers within the league, Draisaitl should do some heavy lifting for a gaggle that has simply 4 NHLers who’ve performed greater than 50 video games this season.