First Six Players Named For Each Nation, New 2026 Olympic Betting Odds

First six players from each participating nation revealed for Men’s Ice Hockey at 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina have gotten more interesting in the last few days as several nations participating in the Ice Hockey event revealed the first six players on their rosters with some of the biggest names in the sport like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Sidney Crosby. 

Officially known as the Milano Cortina 2026, the Olympic games will be hosted in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, from February 6 to 22 with NHL players returning to Olympic ice for the first time since the Four Nations Face-Off this past February. The men’s hockey tournament promises to be one of the premier events of the Games.

Early betting odds have already been posted for the event with Canada leading the pack at +150 with Team USA trailing behind in second with +200 odds. 

FanDuel’s Current Betting Odds for the Gold Medal:

1. Canada (+150)

2. USA (+200)

3. Sweden (+550)

4. Finland (+750)

5. Czechia (+1400)

6. Switzerland (+5000)

7. Slovakia (+5000)

8. Germany (+5000)

9. Latvia (+14000)

10. Denmark (+14000)

11. Italy (+25000)

12. France (+25000)

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Canada (+150)

Canada enters the 2026 Olympics as the clear favorite, led by stars Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Brayden Point, and Sam Reinhart. With Jordan Binnington likely to regain the crease after a stellar Four Nations Face-Off, he can add to this powerhouse team looks poised to take gold. Anything less would be a major disappointment.

Team USA (+200)

The United States is ready to make a serious run at gold in 2026 with one of the deepest rosters it has ever assembled. Newly announced names include Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes, and Charlie McAvoy, culminating in a fast, physical, and skilled core. With Connor Hellebuyck likely in goal and Adam Fox anchoring the blue line, Team USA looks built to finally end its Olympic gold drought dating back to 1980.

Sweden (+550)

Sweden’s 2026 Olympic roster is already shaping up to be a contender, with newly announced names including William Nylander, Adrian Kempe, Lucas Raymond, Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin, and Gabriel Landeskog. The mix of veteran leadership and dynamic youth gives Sweden a well-rounded attack, and if goaltending holds up behind a strong blue line, the Tre Kronor have the pieces to push for gold.

Finland (+750)

Finland enters the 2026 Olympics once again as a disciplined, defensively sound contender with a roster built on structure and selflessness. Newly announced players include Aleksander Barkov, Sebastian Aho, Mikko Rantanen, Esa Lindell, Miro Heiskanen, and Juuse Saros, giving the Finns a balanced attack, a mobile blue line, and elite goaltending. With their 2022 Olympic gold still fresh, Finland remains a serious threat.

Czechia (+1400)

Czechia has added David Pastrnak, Martin Nečas, Pavel Zacha, Ondrej Palát, Lukas Dostal, and Radko Gudas to its Olympic roster, injecting scoring, grit, and experience across all positions. Pastrnak and Nečas lead the offense, with Zacha and Palát adding depth and versatility. Gudas shores up the blue line, while Dostal joins Petr Mrázek and Karel Vejmelka in net.

Tomas Hertl’s status remains uncertain due to injury, leaving a key hole up front. While not favorites, Czechia’s growing roster gives them real upset potential.

Switzerland (+5000)

Switzerland has named Roman Josi, Nico Hischier, Kevin Fiala, Nino Niederreiter, Timo Meier, and Jonas Siegenthaler to its Olympic roster, adding star power across the lineup. Josi anchors the defense, while Hischier, Fiala, and Meier lead a skilled forward group. Depth remains a question, but with this core, Switzerland is well-positioned to challenge for a quarterfinal upset.

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Slovakia (+5000)

Slovakia has announced six key names to its Olympic roster: Simon Nemec, Juraj Slafkovsky, Erik Cernak, Martin Pospisil, Tomas Tatar and Martin Fehérváry, blending youth, size and experience. Slafkovsky will be a focal point of the offense, with Tatar offering veteran leadership and Pospisil bringing a physical edge. On defense, Nemec, Cernak and Fehérváry form a promising core. Goaltending and depth remain concerns, but Slovakia’s grit and emerging talent make them a tough out.

Germany (+5000)

Germany has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stützle, Moritz Seider, Lukas Reichel, Nico Sturm, and Philipp Grubauer, highlighting a talented and balanced team. 

Draisaitl remains one of the world’s best players, with Stützle adding dynamic offensive skill. Seider and Reichel strengthen the lineup, while Grubauer provides key goaltending experience. Building on their 2018 silver medal, Germany has a real chance to shock hockey fans and match or surpass that success.

Latvia (+14000)

Latvia has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Elvis Merzlikins, Arturs Silovs, Uvis Balinskis, Teddy Blugers, Zemgus Girgensons, and Rodrigo Abols, building on their surprising bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. While they may lack NHL star power, Merzlikins provides strong goaltending, and Balcers leads an experienced, physical, and disciplined team that is never an easy opponent.

Denmark (+14000)

Denmark has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Nikolaj Ehlers, Lars Eller, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Frederik Andersen, Jonas Røndbjerg, and Jesper Jensen Aabo. Ehlers and Bjorkstrand lead a skilled offense, while Andersen provides reliable goaltending. Despite their talent, limited depth may prevent Denmark from advancing beyond the group stage.

Italy (+25000)

Italy has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Thomas Larkin, Diego Kostner, Luca Zanatta, Tommy Purdeller, Damian Clara, and Daniel Mantenuto. As co-hosts, they’ll be motivated to put on a respectable showing. While the talent gap remains significant, home-ice energy and contributions from experienced dual-national players like Kostner could help Italy stay competitive in a game or two.

France (+25000)

France has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Alexandre Texier, Pierre-Édouard Bellemare, Jordan Perret, Yohann Auvitu, Hugo Gallet, and Jules Boscq. Texier and Bellemare bring valuable NHL experience, but overall depth and defensive consistency remain concerns. As underdogs, France will focus on gaining experience and continuing to grow as a hockey nation.

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