NHL Power Rankings: New 1-32 poll, each team's Olympic players

16 hours ago 5

Arda OcalJan 9, 2026, 07:00 AM ET

The 2025-26 NHL season is a special one, as players will be competing in the Olympic Games for the first time since 2014.

Eleven of 12 teams in the tournament have revealed their rosters -- what's the holdup, Italy? -- featuring a mix of current, former and future NHLers.

As part of this week's ESPN NHL Power Rankings -- led again by the Colorado Avalanche -- we've identified the players from each team who will be representing their respective countries in Milan Cortina in February.

How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Jan. 2. Points percentages are through Thursday's games.

1. Colorado Avalanche

Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 82.6%

2026 Olympians: Joel Kiviranta, F (FIN), Gabriel Landeskog, F (SWE), Artturi Lehkonen, F (FIN), Nathan MacKinnon, F (CAN), Cale Makar, D (CAN), Martin Necas, F (CZE), Brock Nelson, F (USA), Devon Toews, D (CAN)

A whopping eight players headed to Italy from Denver. It's not surprising, because this is a team with only four regulation losses midway through the season. It's a little surprising that the Avs don't top the list of most Olympians selected from one NHL team.

Next seven days: vs. CBJ (Jan. 10), vs. TOR (Jan. 12)

2. Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 65.5%

2026 Olympians: Oliver Bjorkstrand, F (DEN), Erik Cernak, D (SVK), Anthony Cirelli, F (CAN), Zemgus Girgensons, F (LAT), Jake Guentzel, F (USA), Brandon Hagel, F (CAN), Victor Hedman, D (SWE), Pontus Holmberg, F (SWE), J.J. Moser, D (SUI), Brayden Point, F (CAN), Wojciech Stachowiak, F (GER)

The "most Olympians from one team" honors go to the Lightning, with 11. If we combine them with the Panthers' reps, it's a grand total of 20 skaters who call the state of Florida home going to the Olympics. And, there would be even more if Russia were participating.

Next seven days: @ PHI (Jan. 10), @ PHI (Jan. 12), @ PIT (Jan. 13)

3. Minnesota Wild

Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 66.7%

2026 Olympians: Matt Boldy, F (USA), Jonas Brodin, D (SWE), Joel Eriksson Ek, F (SWE), Brock Faber, D (USA), Filip Gustavsson, G (SWE), Quinn Hughes, D (USA), Nico Sturm, F (GER), Jesper Wallstedt, G (SWE)

The Wild have a ton of "I wouldn't be surprised if that guy is the sleeper pick of the tournament" kind of players. Absent of course is Kirill Kaprizov -- who signed a record-breaking contract this preseason -- due to Russia not being a part of the Olympics.

Next seven days: vs. NYI (Jan. 10), vs. NJ (Jan. 12), vs. WPG (Jan. 15)

4. Dallas Stars

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 68.2%

2026 Olympians: Radek Faksa, F (CZE), Thomas Harley, D (CAN), Miro Heiskanen, D (FIN), Roope Hintz, F (FIN), Esa Lindell, D (FIN), Jake Oettinger, G (USA), Mikko Rantanen, F (FIN)

Helsinki, Texas! The Finnish Stars (in both meanings) are headed to Milan Cortina. This is the core group of a Finnish team that could surprise many.

Next seven days: @ SJ (Jan. 10), @ LA (Jan. 12), @ ANA (Jan. 13), @ UTA (Jan. 15)

5. Carolina Hurricanes

Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 64.8%

2026 Olympians: Sebastian Aho, F (FIN), Frederik Andersen, G (DEN), Nikolaj Ehlers, F (DEN), Jaccob Slavin, D (USA)

A pair of Danes in Ehlers and Andersen go from this team, while Aho will be the offensive engine for Suomi.

Next seven days: vs. SEA (Jan. 10), @ DET (Jan. 12), @ STL (Jan. 13)

6. Detroit Red Wings

Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 62.2%

2026 Olympians: Dylan Larkin, F (USA), Lucas Raymond, F (SWE), Moritz Seider, D (GER)

Larkin is one of the leaders in the Team USA locker room; other Americans have noted how vocal he is. Meanwhile, blueliner Seider will be a key component of the German roster.

Next seven days: @ MTL (Jan. 10), vs. CAR (Jan. 12), @ BOS (Jan. 13)

7. Philadelphia Flyers

Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 61.9%

2026 Olympians: Rodrigo Abols, F (LAT), Rasmus Ristolainen, D (FIN), Travis Sanheim, D (CAN), Dan Vladar, G (CZE)

Veteran Ristolainen gets his first opportunity to represent his country at the Olympics. In 2014 -- the most recent time NHL players played at the Olympics -- Ristolainen scored an overtime gold medal-winning goal for Finland at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

Next seven days: vs. TB (Jan. 10), vs. TB (Jan. 12), @ BUF (Jan. 14), @ PIT (Jan. 15)

8. Montreal Canadiens

Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 63.6%

2026 Olympians: Oliver Kapanen, F (FIN), Juraj Slafkovsky, F (SVK), Nick Suzuki, F (CAN), Alexandre Texier, F (FRA)

Suzuki makes the cut, but Cole Caufield does not. And rising star Slafkovsky will get a chance to play big minutes at a mountaintop-level tournament.

Next seven days: vs. DET (Jan. 10), vs. VAN (Jan. 12), @ WSH (Jan. 13), @ BUF (Jan. 15)

9. New York Islanders

Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 60.2%

2026 Olympians: Bo Horvat, F (CAN)

"One is the loneliest number..." but it would be at least two if this tournament were even a year later, because rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer is one of the future leaders of Team Canada.

Next seven days: @ MIN (Jan. 10), @ WPG (Jan. 13), @ EDM (Jan. 15)

10. Washington Capitals

Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 56.8%

2026 Olympians: Martin Fehervary, D (SVK), Logan Thompson, G (CAN), Tom Wilson, F (CAN)

One of the biggest snubs from Team Canada was Panthers forward Sam Bennett, who helped Canada win a championship at last year's 4 Nations Face-Off. In comes Wilson, who will fill that agitator role nicely. Meanwhile, Thompson is one of the changes for Canada in the crease.

Next seven days: @ CHI (Jan. 9), @ NSH (Jan. 11), vs. MTL (Jan. 13), vs. SJ (Jan. 15)

11. Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 60.7%

2026 Olympians: Sidney Crosby, F (CAN), Erik Karlsson, D (SWE), Rickard Rakell, F (SWE), Arturs Silovs, G (LAT)

Is this the final time that Crosby captains Team Canada? The C is his as long as he wants it, before probably passing it on to Connor McDavid. A final gold medal for Sid the Kid -- who scored the golden goal in 2010 -- would cap off one of the greatest careers in hockey history.

Next seven days: vs. CGY (Jan. 10), @ BOS (Jan. 11), vs. TB (Jan. 13), vs. PHI (Jan. 15)

12. Buffalo Sabres

Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 59.5%

2026 Olympians: Rasmus Dahlin, D (SWE), Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G (FIN), Tage Thompson, F (USA)

"Center sTage" Thompson finally gets his opportunity to shine on one of the biggest stages in hockey. Snubbed from the 4 Nations Face-Off roster, he is one of the few American players who didn't make that tournament but did make this one.

Next seven days: vs. ANA (Jan. 10), vs. FLA (Jan. 12), vs. PHI (Jan. 14), vs. MTL (Jan. 15)

13. Vegas Golden Knights

Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 59.5%

2026 Olympians: Jack Eichel, F (USA), Noah Hanifin, D (USA), Tomas Hertl, F (CZE), Mitch Marner, F (CAN), Jonas Rondbjerg, F (DEN), Akira Schmid, G (SUI), Mark Stone, F (CAN), Shea Theodore, D (CAN)

An elite list of players. This reads like a team that you would draft in a fantasy league and say, "I did pretty good." Pretty much all of them will be major contributors for their respective teams.

Next seven days: vs. STL (Jan. 10), @ SJ (Jan. 11), @ LA (Jan. 14), vs. TOR (Jan. 15)

14. Edmonton Oilers

Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 56.8%

2026 Olympians: Leon Draisaitl, F (GER), Connor McDavid, F (CAN), Josh Samanski, F (GER), David Tomasek, F (CZE)

How many goals will Draisaitl score? Will he lead the tournament? Will McDavid score the OT goal to win gold for Canada ... again?

Next seven days: vs. LA (Jan. 10), @ CHI (Jan. 12), @ NSH (Jan. 13), vs. NYI (Jan. 15)

15. Florida Panthers

Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 54.7%

2026 Olympians: Uvis Balinskis, D (LAT), Gustav Forsling, D (SWE), Seth Jones, D (USA), Anton Lundell, F, (FIN), Eetu Luostarinen, F (FIN), Niko Mikkola, D (FIN), Brad Marchand, F (CAN), Sam Reinhart, F (CAN), Matthew Tkachuk, F (USA)

Let's add more fuel to the "Battle of Florida" fire, as the Lightning (11) narrowly edge out the Panthers (9) for 2026 Olympians -- while Florida's captain Aleksander Barkov surely would've made Finland's roster if he were healthy.

Next seven days: @ OTT (Jan. 10), @ BUF (Jan. 12)

16. Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 57%

2026 Olympians: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D (SWE), William Nylander, F (SWE), Auston Matthews, F (USA)

With Mitch Marner traded, and Morgan Rielly off the list, there are no Team Canada representatives from Canada's biggest city. But Matthews and Nylander will be counted on to lead their respective teams' offensive production.

Next seven days: vs. VAN (Jan. 10), @ COL (Jan. 12), @ UTA (Jan. 13), @ VGK (Jan. 15)

17. Seattle Kraken

Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 57.1%

2026 Olympians: Oscar Fisker Molgaard, F (DEN), Philipp Grubauer, G (GER), Kaapo Kakko, F (FIN), Eeli Tolvanen, F (FIN)

Kakko could turn some heads at this tournament. His tenure with the Rangers was scrutinized, and the No. 2 pick from 2019 hasn't set the world on fire in Seattle yet. The Olympics certainly has a way of making stars.

Next seven days: @ CAR (Jan. 10), @ NYR (Jan. 12), @ NJ (Jan. 14), @ BOS (Jan. 15)

18. Ottawa Senators

Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 52.3%

2026 Olympians: Lars Eller, F (DEN), Nikolas Matinpalo, D (FIN), Jake Sanderson, D (USA), Mads Sogaard, G (DEN), Tim Stutzle, F (GER), Brady Tkachuk, F (USA)

Stutzle is a top candidate to have a monster tourney. And, while we probably won't see three fights in nine seconds as we did at 4 Nations, Tkachuk will bring that type of energy to Italy. The Tkachuk brothers are the emotional heartbeat of Team USA.

Next seven days: vs. FLA (Jan. 10), vs. VAN (Jan. 13), @ NYR (Jan. 14)

19. Los Angeles Kings

Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 54.8%

2026 Olympians: Joel Armia, F (FIN), Drew Doughty, D (CAN), Kevin Fiala, F (SUI), Adrian Kempe, F (SWE), Darcy Kuemper, G (CAN)

Welcome to Team Canada, Darcy Kuemper! Veteran blueliner Doughty had a remarkable (and expletive-laden) reaction to getting the call for Canada. He's also one of a select few players in 2026 who has won a gold medal at the Olympics.

Next seven days: @ WPG (Jan. 9), @ EDM (Jan. 10), vs. DAL (Jan. 12), vs. VGK (Jan. 14)

20. Boston Bruins

Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 54.5%

2026 Olympians: Henri Jokiharju, D (FIN), Elias Lindholm, F (SWE), Charlie McAvoy, D (USA), David Pastrnak, F (CZE), Jeremy Swayman, G (USA), Pavel Zacha, F (CZE)

Pastrnak famously celebrated Czechia's 2024 victory in the IIHF world championship, so you can bet he will be fired up for the Olympics. Ditto McAvoy, but for a different reason; his emotional speech before the final game at the 4 Nations Face-Off was legendary.

Next seven days: vs. NYR (Jan. 10), vs. PIT (Jan. 11), vs. DET (Jan. 13), vs. SEA (Jan. 15)

21. New York Rangers

Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 51.1%

2026 Olympians: J.T. Miller, F (USA), Vincent Trocheck, F (USA), Mika Zibanejad, F (SWE)

Trocheck and Miller, both described as glue guys, get in for the U.S., and Zibanejad should be a top-six contributor for Sweden.

Next seven days: @ BOS (Jan. 10), vs. SEA (Jan. 12), vs. OTT (Jan. 14)

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Who are notable omissions from the U.S. men's Olympic hockey roster?

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22. San Jose Sharks

Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 54.7%

2026 Olympians: Macklin Celebrini, F (CAN), Philipp Kurashev, F (SUI), Pavol Regenda, F (SVK), Alexander Wennberg, F (SWE)

Celebrini -- now a legitimate Hart Trophy contender who has been top five in scoring for the majority of the season -- earned his way onto Team Canada. He has all the makings of having a transformative tournament.

Next seven days: vs. DAL (Jan. 10), vs. VGK (Jan. 11), @ WSH (Jan. 15)

23. New Jersey Devils

Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 52.3%

2026 Olympians: Jesper Bratt, F (SWE), Nico Hischier, F (SUI), Jack Hughes, F (USA), Jacob Markstrom, G (SWE), Timo Meier, F (SUI), Simon Nemec, D (SVK), Ondrej Palat, F (CZE), Jonas Siegenthaler, D (SUI)

The Devils have one of the most complete representations going, from goal scorers to playmakers, from offense-minded to shutdown defensemen, along with a goaltender.

Next seven days: @ WPG (Jan. 11), @ MIN (Jan. 12), vs. SEA (Jan. 14)

24. Utah Mammoth

Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 51.1%

2026 Olympians: Clayton Keller, F (USA), Olli Maatta, D (FIN), JJ Peterka, F (GER), Karel Vejmelka, G (CZE)

This tournament is a great opportunity for Keller. Keller is third in scoring for Utah, while Dylan Guenther and Nick Schmaltz, Nos. 1 and 2, did not make their respective teams. Keller captained Team USA to a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF world championships.

Next seven days: vs. STL (Jan. 9), vs. CBJ (Jan. 11), vs. TOR (Jan. 13), vs. DAL (Jan. 15)

25. Anaheim Ducks

Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 51.1%

2026 Olympians: Leo Carlsson, F (SWE), Lukas Dostal, D (CZE), Mikael Granlund, F (FIN), Radko Gudas, D (CZE)

The Ducks have two players joining Czechia, tied for the most from any NHL team. The 21-year-old Carlsson, who will play for Sweden, also represented the country at the world championships last summer, with Tre Kronor winning bronze.

Next seven days: @ BUF (Jan. 10), vs. DAL (Jan. 13)

26. Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 50%

2026 Olympians: Elvis Merzlikins, G (LAT), Zach Werenski, D (USA)

Werenski was a force during the 4 Nations Face-Off. If he replicates that performance, he will be a big reason Team USA is in position to win gold.

Next seven days: @ COL (Jan. 10), @ UTA (Jan. 11), vs. CGY (Jan. 13), vs. VAN (Jan. 15)

27. Nashville Predators

Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 51.2%

2026 Olympians: Filip Forsberg, F (SWE), Erik Haula, F (FIN), Roman Josi, D (SUI), Juuse Saros, G (FIN)

These Games could be the Olympic swan song for 35-year-old Josi at an international tournament, but I also wouldn't be entirely surprised if he suits up for Switzerland at age 39 in 2030.

Next seven days: vs. CHI (Jan. 10), vs. WSH (Jan. 11), vs. EDM (Jan. 13)

28. Chicago Blackhawks

Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 50%

2026 Olympians: Teuvo Teravainen, F (FIN)

Just one representative from the Hawks, with the biggest critiques coming out of Chicago obviously being that Connor Bedard was left off the roster for Team Canada.

Next seven days: vs. WSH (Jan. 9), @ NSH (Jan. 10), vs. EDM (Jan. 12), vs. CGY (Jan. 15)

29. St. Louis Blues

Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 47.7%

2026 Olympians: Jordan Binnington, G (CAN), Philip Broberg, D (SWE), Dalibor Dvorsky, F (SVK), Colton Parayko, D (CAN), Pius Suter, F (SUI)

Bennington returns from the 4 Nations Face-Off roster, probably as team Canada's starting goalie. He made multiple key saves in the gold medal game against the U.S. before Connor McDavid scored. It was a clutch, championship-worthy performance, and apparently enough to overcome an uneven 2025-26 NHL season thus far.

Next seven days: @ UTA (Jan. 9), @ VGK (Jan. 10), vs. CAR (Jan. 13)