With the NHL’s break for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina in full swing, it’s time to temporarily move our attention from the Western Conference playoff race to who will be representing the Seattle Kraken on the global stage over the next three weeks.
This is the first Olympics since 2014 in which NHL players will be participating, making it one of the more highly anticipated events in recent memory. Many of this year’s participating players were not even drafted the last time around, with Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon, and many more making their Olympic debuts.
Given that Seattle lacks bona fide elite talent on its roster, it comes as no surprise that no Kraken players are suiting up for Canada or the United States, the two favorites to meet in the Men’s gold medal game on Feb. 22.
The Kraken do have four players set to star in Italy: one for Germany, one for Denmark, and two for Finland. Let’s dive into their roles on their respective national teams and their countries’ chances of medaling in the coming weeks.
Kaapo Kakko, Forward – Finland
Eeli Tolvanen, Forward – Finland
Finland has the largest Kraken contingent, with wingers Eeli Tolvanen and Kaapo Kakko making the trip to Italy. The pair rank eighth and 10th in the NHL among Finnish forwards in points-per-game this season, and will be counted on to provide depth scoring behind stars such as Mikko Rantanen and Sebastian Aho.
With Finland’s usual captain, Aleksander Barkov, unable to play due to injury, Tolvanen was one of several new players added to the roster since last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off. They face an uphill battle, as they don’t have the same depth as the other leading hockey nations, but they do have enough NHL talent to make it difficult for any opponent.
Few countries will benefit from the removal of Russian athletes from Olympic competition more than Finland, which is one of four countries to have ever won gold (in 25 tournaments since 1920), not named Canada, USA, or Russia/Soviet Union. Often placed on the lower end of the continuum of established “Big Six” hockey superpowers (along with Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden, and Czechia), Russia’s absence means an easier path to the semi-finals and a potential medal.
Finland’s clash with Sweden on Feb. 13 could decide who gets an automatic berth to the quarter-finals, and who has to duke it out in the eight-team playoff round. The Finns might not repeat their gold medal performance from Beijing four years ago, but a bronze is within reach if the bracket falls their way.
Group Stage Schedule: Feb. 11 (v.s. Slovakia), Feb. 13 (v.s. Sweden), Feb. 14 (v.s. Italy)
Philipp Grubauer, Goaltender – Germany
If there is one dark-horse nation to medal in Milan, it’s Germany. They have legitimate elite talents up front (Leon Draisaitl and Tim Stutzle), a Norris Trophy hopeful in Moritz Seider on the blue line, a collection of depth options with NHL experience, and Kraken netminder Philipp Grubauer, who is having his best season in years.
After ranking 76th in save percentage (.890 SV%) and 60th in goals-against average (3.07 GAA) among 82 qualified goaltenders (minimum 41 appearances) between 2021-22 and 2024-25, the 34-year-old Grubauer has rediscovered his game and helped the Kraken grab one of the Pacific Division’s three automatic playoff spots at the Olympic break.
Among NHL goalies to have made at least 10 appearances this season, Grubauer ranks third in SV% (.916), seventh in GAA (2.43), and has saved the eighth-most goals above expected (23.1 GSAx) according to Evolving Hockey’s model.
The Germans should be considered favorites to finish second in the group behind the United States and will have an outside shot at bypassing the playoffs and advancing directly to the quarter-finals as one of the four best teams in the preliminary round. If they are to accomplish that goal, Grubauer will have to stand tall as he has done for the German national program for years.
Group Stage Schedule: Feb. 12 (v.s. Denmark), Feb. 14 (v.s. Latvia), Feb. 15 (v.s. United States)
Oscar Fisker Molgaard, Forward – Denmark
Fisker Molgaard, a second-round pick in 2023, has only appeared in three career NHL games for the Kraken (one assist), but has been decent at the American Hockey League (AHL) level. The Dane has scored nine goals and 25 points in 43 games for the Coachella Valley Firebirds and, at 20 years old, is trending well toward becoming a future contributor to the Kraken project.
Denmark is making its second appearance in men’s hockey at the Olympics, having finished seventh at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Fisker Molgaard is one of six current Danish NHL players, and one of four forwards, along with Oliver Bjorkstrand, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Lars Eller. He has represented his country at every junior and senior level, including tallying seven points in 10 games at the 2025 World Championships, where Denmark beat the mighty (but obviously not full-staffed) Canadians in the quarter-finals.
Not much is expected of the Danes in Milan, but a surprise run is possible if the goaltenders stand on their heads and the NHL forwards lead the way against weaker competition.
Group Stage Schedule: Feb. 12 (v.s. Germany), Feb. 14 (v.s. United States), Feb. 15 (v.s. Latvia)
The full schedule for both the Men’s and Women’s Olympic hockey tournaments can be found here – enjoy the Games!
Data courtesy of Evolving Hockey and the NHL.
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