As the international hockey calendar begins to resume, anticipation is building for the return of NHL players to the Olympics in 2026. To prepare for the event, the NHL has planned the ‘4 Nations Face-Off’ in February 2025, bringing together players from Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland in a seven-game tournament. General manager Bill Guerin of Team USA is encouraging players to participate in this year’s IIHF World Championship in Prague and Ostrava, Czechia, to be considered for roster spots in upcoming prestigious events.
In Europe, the world championship holds great significance for top European NHL players who regularly represent their countries, despite any ongoing Stanley Cup Playoff commitments. However, North American players have historically shown less enthusiasm for the event, particularly due to disruptions in the international calendar caused by the pandemic. With NHL players now having a strong incentive to participate, the rosters for the world championship reflect this renewed interest.
Team Canada is led by captain John Tavares, who is aiming for a chance to have a full Olympic experience in 2026. Tavares, along with young standout players like Owen Power and Connor Bedard, is representing Canada in the world championship. Bedard, playing in his first senior men’s tournament, has already made a strong impression by leading all players with four goals in the early stages of the competition.
The competition for starting goaltender positions is fierce for both Canada and the United States. Jordan Binnington, aiming for Canada’s netminding job, faces competition from fellow NHL goalies like Adin Hill and Logan Thompson. For the Americans, Connor Hellebuyck, Thatcher Demko, and Jeremy Swayman are front-runners for the starting roles, supported by journeymen Alex Lyon and Alex Nedeljkovic in the world championship.
Team USA, led by captain Brady Tkachuk, also boasts a strong roster with a mixture of veteran players and promising young talent. Players like Jeff Petry, Kevin Hayes, and Johnny Gaudreau provide experience, while prospects like Trevor Zegras, Matt Boldy, and Cole Caufield bring youthful skill to the team. The Americans, who are 1-1 in the world championship group stage, face Slovakia next, while Bedard and Team Canada will take on Austria in their upcoming matchups.
As the tournament progresses, Canada, Sweden, and Switzerland lead with two regulation wins each in the group stage. The United States rebounded from a loss to Sweden with a convincing win over Germany. With several key players making an impact early on, including Bedard, the competition remains intense as teams vie for success in the world championship and look ahead to the upcoming Olympics in 2026.
