Brock Nelson played for the Americans at Four Nations, but could need a strong start to next season to keep his spot. Mackenzie Blackwood might have made Canada’s roster had he started last year with the Avalanche and could play his way into the Olympics next season.

Winter Olympics mark the first time that NHL players will be at the Olympics since 2014, and their sixth appearance overall-- including 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010. Over those Olympic Games, Canada won gold three times (2002,

Canada's men's hockey team will be in for a test at its 2026 Olympic opener. The Canadians begin their quest for a gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Games against Czechia on Feb. 12 as NHLers return to the tournament for the first time since 2014. Canada's group stage continues Feb. 13 against Switzerland and Feb. 15 against France.

Edmonton Oilers’ captain Connor McDavid, of course, headlined the first six players named to the 2026 Canadian Olympic team along with mentor Sidney Crosby, Norris trophy winner Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon,

The Avalanche played three full regular seasons and went on two playoff runs without their captain in the lineup. After 1,032 days since his last NHL appearance, Gabriel Landeskog made his return, joining the lineup for Game Three of the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

MacKinnon and Makar were both selected to the 2024-25 First All-Star team, which is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. It’s the first time two members of the Avs have been named to the first team together since Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic in 2001-02.

Nathan MacKinnon seemed over the moon to have met Jelly Roll.