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 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/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. Valuable Defenseman Could Still Be Odd Man Out For Stars [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/999d090a-69bf-4f6b-805e-99d18a2d785a.jpeg] Valuable Defenseman Could Still Be Odd Man Out For Stars When General Manager Jim Nill signed Ilya Lyubushkin to a three year deal last off-season, alarm bells were ringing for many in the hockey world. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars/players/valuable-defenseman-could-still-be-odd-man-out-for-stars] 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. Esa Lindell Named Finland's Male Hockey Player Of The Year [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c01dc4bf-2e6a-4cb1-b972-44aaf88e6d9d.webp] Esa Lindell Named Finland's Male Hockey Player Of The Year The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars/">Dallas Stars</a> did not bring home the NHL's top award this season, but their players continue to take home the accolades. The latest celebrated member in green is defenseman Esa Lindell. The Finnish blueliner was named Finland's Male Hockey Player Of The Year. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars/latest-news/esa-lindell-named-finland-s-male-hockey-player-of-the-year] 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. Follow all of Adam Denker's work on X: denkyd8nk
