The Chicago Blackhawks have a few players who were snubbed from the Four Nations Faceoff but could become Olympians in 2026.
Even though the Chicago Blackhawks aren't having the best season, that doesn't mean that they don't have good players at the top of the lineup. A few of their best players had hopes of being on a Four Nations Faceoff Roster but lackluster play cost a couple of them a spot.
The Four Nations Faceoff is an international best-on-best tournament that will feature Sweden, Canada, Finland, and the United States.
Rosters for this tourney were revealed last week and only one Chicago Blackhawks player was featured as Teuvo Teravainen will represent Finland.
There are a couple of notable snubs from the Blackhawks. In 2026, they will have a chance to redeem themselves at the Winter Olympic Games in Italy.
These are the three players who missed making a Four Nations Faceoff roster that could be on an Olympic roster:
1. Connor Bedard
Connor Bedard had the best chance of making a FNF roster of anyone who didn't. Coming into the year, it felt like a lock that he'd be there.
However, his play this year didn't earn a spot for him. He isn't the biggest snub for Canada as guys like Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg Jets) and Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks) are more deserving at this time.
Going forward, Bedard needs to produce a little bit more. Now that he's out of Luke Richardson's defensive system, he has been able to generate more offense but there is another level that he can get to.
He was one of the best players Team Canada has ever had at the World Juniors and he will surely play for his country again someday. Bedard has a great chance of being there on the team in 2026.
2. Alex Vlasic
Team USA has a ton of great defensemen so Alex Vlasic may always be a longshot but he shouldn't be. He is developing into a wonderful two-way player who plays well on the back end in all three zones.
If Team USA ever considered a guy that they could pair with a purely offensive defenseman to play a shutdown role, Vlasic could be the one. He has the tools to bring out the best in players like Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks) or Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets).
Vlasic may have been an even longer shot for this FNF roster but his name was in the mix and he's even mentioned it as an honor just to be talked about. Right now, he's Chicago's best defenseman and the world will know more about him as time goes on.
3. Arvid Soderblom
The three goaltenders that made it for Team Sweden are Linus Ullmark (Ottawa Senators), Jacob Markstrom (New Jersey Devils), and Filip Gustavsson (Minnesota Wild). All three of them are elite and more than deserving.
With that said, it should shock nobody if Arvid Soderblom elevates himself into that discussion for Sweden before the Olympic Games in 2026.
Right now, he is just Chicago's backup but he is going to play a lot more while Petr Mrazek is out with an injury. Soderblom has been incredible this year but he needs to show it over a longer period.
With more playing time for the Blackhawks, his name will start to become more well-known around the hockey world. He has high-end potential which is why he should be considered for Team Sweden next time around.
Honorable Mentions
Speaking of Mrazek, Czechia could consider him for the Olympic Games. They don't have a team in the Four Nations Faceoff so we don't know if he would have made the cut but there is a good chance.
Like Czechia, Team Germany doesn't have a team but Lukas Reichel is sure to make it for the Olympics in 2026. He has a lot of developing to do still but he's been much better lately. The Germans don't have the depth that other countries do but they are quickly growing into a great hockey country.
The Swiss were also omitted from the Four Nations Faceoff. They have more depth than Germany but not enough to keep a guy like Philipp Kurashev off the roster.
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