MILAN — After years of anticipation, some of the NHL’s top players are finally making their Olympic debuts at the 2024 Winter Games in Milan. The NHL players Olympic debut has been delayed multiple times due to league decisions and the global pandemic, but now stars such as Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Auston Matthews are competing on hockey’s biggest international stage.
Decade-Long Wait for Hockey’s Elite Players
Many of today’s NHL stars like Nathan MacKinnon knew their chance to compete for their countries at the Olympics wouldn’t come early. In 2014, when he was just an 18-year-old rookie, MacKinnon missed out, along with Leon Draisaitl and David Pastrnak, who had yet to be drafted. Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Auston Matthews were still teenagers during the Sochi Games, expecting to take part in future Olympics. However, their hopes were delayed as the NHL did not participate in the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and then missed the Beijing Games in 2022 due to COVID-19 disruptions.
We’ve been waiting, our generation, pretty much whole of our careers to play at the Olympics,
Pastrnak said.
Victor Hedman is among those finally making his Olympic debut after being excluded twelve years ago by Sweden. For McDavid and MacKinnon, teaming with Sidney Crosby for Canada is a long-awaited opportunity, while Eichel and Matthews aim to bring home the first U.S. men’s hockey gold since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”
McDavid described the moment as “surreal,” expressing disbelief over the long wait.
Surreal. It’s been a long time. Been a long time coming.
Opening Games Kick Off Excitement in Milan
The tournament began with Finland facing Slovakia, followed by host nation Italy’s matchup against Sweden. With such a concentrated schedule, teams are eager to make an impact early in the competition.
I don’t know if I’m going to feel great or awful, but I’m going to be flying for the first shifts,
said Sweden’s Adrian Kempe, reflecting the excitement and nerves among players debuting or returning to the Olympic stage.
Canada and the United States Enter as Strong Contenders
Canada is favored slightly over their North American rivals, with betting odds placing the United States just under 2-1. Canada has a historic legacy, winning three of five previous Olympics where NHL players participated since 1998, including 2010 and 2014. Their high expectations remain consistent, considering hockey’s deep roots in the country.
Playing for Team Canada over the years, that’s something you learn is part of it, that expectation and that responsibility,
Crosby said.
We understand that, we have high expectations ourselves, and you’ve got to go out there and play and do all the things that are necessary to try to win. You can’t think too far ahead, but we understand that’s the expectation.
The U.S. roster is loaded with talent, featuring forwards Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, and brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, as well as a deep defensive lineup led by Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy, and Zach Werenski. Their goaltending trio of Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman further strengthens the team. Since 1980, the Americans have twice reached the final, losing to Canada in 2002 and 2010. With the surge of American hockey development over the past decades, general manager Bill Guerin’s mission is clear: only gold will do.
Pretty much every country’s mindset here is to win, and our team’s no different,
Matthew Tkachuk said.
If you come here with another mindset, you probably shouldn’t be here.
Sweden Remains a Threat Despite Key Injuries
Sweden, ranked third choice with 15-2 odds, has had to adjust their lineup following injuries to top center Leo Carlsson and defenseman Jonas Brodin. Despite these setbacks, they return with four players who took silver in the Sochi final, maintaining confidence in their ability to challenge the top teams.
Sweden’s coach Sam Hallam addressed the focus on North American powers.
It doesn’t hit our ego,
Hallam said.
That’s natural. It’s the two biggest hockey nations in the world at the moment.
Tournament Structure and Group Breakdown
The twelve Olympic teams are divided into three groups, each playing three round-robin games. The U.S. starts with Latvia, then takes on Denmark in the highly anticipated “Greenland Derby,” before closing group play against Germany featuring Leon Draisaitl.
Canada’s group includes Czechia, Switzerland, and France, while Finland and Sweden share a group with Italy and Slovakia. Since no teams are eliminated after group play, coaches have flexibility regarding lineups and goaltender choices throughout the early stages.
You don’t win a gold medal in your first game, but you can work on everybody’s game and work on yourself and work on your system and keep building,
said Sweden forward Rickard Rakell.
Teams earn points based on regulation or overtime results, with the top seeds after round robin advancing directly to the quarterfinals on February 18. Teams ranked fifth to twelfth play qualification round matchups that same day to determine who moves forward.
Previous NHL Olympic Moments Raise Expectations
The last NHL players Olympic tournament provided unforgettable moments: T.J. Oshie’s shootout heroics helped the U.S. overcome Russia on home ice, while Canada captured gold with dominant precision. This tournament follows the highly competitive 4 Nations Face-Off from the prior year, offering a glimpse into the high tempo and talent expected.
Although the event is short, the intensity and speed on ice are certain to challenge every team battling for a medal.
It’s not as much of a sprint,
MacKinnon said.
But I can’t imagine the pace is going to slow down.
