With the NHL set to announce that its players will be able to represent their country at the 2026 Winter Olympics, here are a few players on the San Jose Sharks who could head to Italy.
With the NHL set to announce that its players will be able to represent their country at the 2026 Winter Olympics, here are a few players on the San Jose Sharks who could head to Italy.
With the NHL set to announce that its players will be able to represent their country at the 2026 Winter Olympics, here are a few players on the San Jose Sharks who could head to Italy.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced that NHLers will participate in the Olympics.
The NHL last participated in the Olympics at Sochi in 2014. Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie had his iconic shootout against Russia.
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Here is a list of a few Sharks players that could head to the Olympics in 2026.
No Brianers: Tomas Hertl & Nico Sturm
The San Jose Sharks No. 1 center will likely be the only no-brainer option to head to the Olympics. As a native of Czechia, Hertl could play alongside Boston Bruins superstar David Pastrnak.
Pastrnak and Hertl are about to team up at the 2024 NHL All-Star game, as they were both selected by Connor McDavid's team.
Hertl will be a top-six forward for Czechia and could play as high as the No. 1 center.
Nico Sturm will likely play for Germany in 2026. His speed and leadership will be crucial to help an up-and-coming hockey hotbed.
On The Bubble: Mackenzie Blackwood, Mikael Granlund, & Logan Couture
These three players are on the bubble of making their countries teams. Mikael Granlund and Logan Couture could play Finland and Canada, respectively, in lower roles but be a part of the leadership group.
Granlund played for Finland in 2014 and had seven points in six games.
Couture hasn't played for Canada at the Olympics but did play for them at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Couture had four points in six games.
Canada will need to find its starting goaltender. The last time NHLers played in the Olympics, Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price was the unquestioned No. 1. With Price out of the league due to injuries, the door is wide open for someone like Blackwood to step in.
He will likely have to compete with St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington or Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry.
Would Be Cool To See But Likely Won't Make It: William Eklund, Fabian Zetterlund, & Shakir Mukhamadullin
William Eklund and Fabian Zetterlund will have more NHL experience under their belts before the 2026 Olympic games, but given the state of Sweden's team, they likely won't have space to include the two youngsters.
Sweden will have a stacked lineup with players like Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson, New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad, and Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander.
Shakir Mukhamadullin would be a fun addition to Russia's Olympic team. The 22-year-old has shown he can handle the NHL game. He could play a role for Russia with two more years of development. He earned his first NHL point against the Anaheim Ducks this week.
The Sharks have some young prospects in the system who could make a push to play in the 2026 Olympics but will likely have a better chance at the 2030 Olympics.
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