The NHL will be sending their players back to the Olympics this upcoming winter after skipping over the two previous games. The preliminary rosters were announced earlier today, with the Dallas Stars having three players being named for Team Finland. This is no surprise as Mikko Rantanen, Miro Hieskanen, and Esa Lindell as the trio were selected to don the blue and white for their home country during the NHL's 4 Nations Face Off.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will arguably be the NHL's most significant international event since this past year's 4 Nations Face Off. While the Olympics are not technically a product of the NHL, the league's top talent will be displayed on hockey's biggest stage for the first time since 2014. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and scheduling issues, the NHL passed on the 2018 and 2022 Olympics.
The Stars and their fans will get a chance to see their top talent on display at the Games as Mikko Rantanen, Miro Hieskanen, and Esa Lindell have been selected for Team Finland. The Finnish trio have impressed in their limited time together since Rantanen was from Colorado, but nonetheless have earned the moniker "Finnish Mafia" with Mikael Granlund and Roope Hintz added to the mix.
Goaltender Jake Oettinger's name will certainly be in the mix for goaltenders to be added to the United States roster, as Oettinger was also a participant in 4 Nations Face Off. The Winter Olympics will kick off on Feb. 6th 2026 in Milan, Italy.
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