Ranking the 5 best 2026 Winter Olympics hockey teams

The 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics men’s ice hockey tournament starts in just two days. Although Canada and the United States are considered to be the favorites, there are five really good teams, and even 8 or 10 who could compete for the Gold Medal. The teams and players have arrived in Italy and will begin to play games this week. Here are the rankings of the top five men’s hockey teams.

5. Finland

Feb 20, 2022; Beijing, China; Team Finland goalkeeper Jussi Olkinuora (45) poses with teammates for a team picture after the medals ceremony during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at National Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports

Team Finland is a favorite (besides Team Canada or Team USA) to reach the gold medal game and is the gold medal winner from the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The team’s roster is well-constructed and led by elite forwards Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes), Mikko Rantanen (Dallas Stars), and goaltender Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators).

Finland possesses the firepower to light the lamp while playing solid defense. If goaltender Juuse Saros struggles, the roster has capable backups in Kevin Lankinen (Vancouver Canucks) and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Buffalo Sabres).

4. Switzerland

Team Switzerland’s roster isn’t as eye-popping as other teams but features high-producing players. The team’s forwards are headlined by Nico Hischier (New Jersey Devils), Kevin Fiala (Los Angeles Kings), Timo Meier (New Jersey Devils), and Philipp Kurashev (San Jose Sharks). Defensively, Switzerland will rely on defenseman Roman Josi (Nashville Predators) to help alleviate pressure from the team’s young goaltenders.

3. Sweden

Feb 18, 2022; Beijing, China; Team Sweden goalkeeper Lars Johansson (31) is consoled by teammates after losing to Team ROC in a shootout during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at National Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports

Team Sweden is ready to avenge its 4^th–place finish during the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. Sweden’s roster features notable NHL players in forwards Filip Forsberg (Nashville Predators), Mika Zibanejad (New York Rangers), William Nylander (Toronto Maple Leafs), Grabriel Landeskog (Colorado Avalanche), defensemen Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Toronto Maple Leafs), Gustav Forsling (Florida Panthers), Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning), Erik Karlsson (Pittsburgh Penguins)

They also have goaltenders Filip Gustavsson (Minnesota Wild) and Jacob Markstrom (New Jersey Devils). The roster possesses depth across the board and will be a difficult matchup during the tournament.

2. United States

The United States is ready to rid the taste of finishing second to Team Canada during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off. Team USA not only has sights set on the gold medal game but also on winning gold against Canada. The offense will be led by Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights), Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres), and Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings). Brothers Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators) and Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers) are ready to resume their outstanding play from 2025’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

Defenseman Quinn Hughes (Minnesota Wild) is the top option on the team’s blue line. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) will start between the pipes, and if this season’s mediocre production follows him to Italy, Team USA will look to Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars) and Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins) to pick up the production.

1. Canada

Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game against the United States at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Team Canada is the favorite to win gold. Its talented roster features forwards Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks), defenseman Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche), goaltenders Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings), Logan Thompson (Washington Capitals), and Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues).

From top to bottom, Canada possesses the best roster of any team in the 2026 Olympic Games. It’s hard to justify Team Canada falling short of gold in 2026. The team will start the road to glory during their first game, against Czechia, on February 12^th.