MILAN, Italy — William Nylander looks poised to make his Olympic debut with Sweden, despite ongoing struggles with a groin injury this season. After missing Tuesday’s practice for maintenance, Nylander fully took part in Wednesday’s morning skate ahead of Sweden’s opening match against host Italy at the Milano Cortina 2026 men’s hockey tournament.
Swedish Coach Confident in Nylander’s Condition
Sweden’s coach Sam Hallam expressed optimism about Nylander’s readiness, noting,
“He looked good on the ice. He felt good before,”
and added,
“We’re positive that he was out on the ice today.”
Although some might suggest resting Nylander against Italy, the player has been eagerly anticipating this Olympic opportunity for years. During practice, Nylander moved with the top line and played on the premier power-play unit, signaling his expected involvement in the game.
Teammates Praise Nylander’s Impact
Captain Gabriel Landeskog commended Nylander’s skills, describing him as, “Willy? Awesome. Great,” and stating,
“He’s a very elite player, and when we play against him (in the NHL), he’s hard to read and he’s hard to knock off the puck. Therefore, just very exciting that he’s a part of our team.”
Lucas Raymond echoed this enthusiasm, calling Nylander the
“kind of that X-factor that every team wants,”
and added,
“So, yeah, hopefully he’s feeling good and will be ready to go tonight.”
Sweden’s Goaltending Strategy Remains Undisclosed
Coach Hallam remains tight-lipped about which goaltender will start against Italy, postponing the announcement until the official roster submission deadline. He hinted that the starter for Game 1 might continue in Game 2 versus Finland, given there will be a rest day before that match.
Hallam said,
“Then it’s a back-to-back. That’s maybe a good opportunity to change and get a second goalie in,”
and added,
“If we can get two goalies in during the round-robin, yeah. But I’m not looking to play three goalies, no.”
Filip Gustavsson was the first goalie off the ice at practice, with veterans Jacob Markstrom and Jesper Wallstedt available as well, giving Sweden several options in net.
Significance of Nylander’s Participation for Sweden
Nylander’s expected debut carries significant weight for Sweden’s Olympic ambitions, particularly as the tournament unfolds from February 11 to 22 in the Milano Cortina 2026 event. His presence on the ice adds a crucial offensive threat and brings experience that teammates value highly. How well Nylander performs could influence Sweden’s progression through the round-robin stage and beyond, making him a key figure to watch as the tournament progresses.
According to @adamjjohansson, Marcus Johansson and Hampus Lindholm will be scratched for Sweden 🇸🇪 today (if Nylander plays).
They'll dress 13/7 but play 12/6. It's unclear who the 13th forward is. Filip Forsberg and Jesper Bratt have rotated on the 2nd line this week and… pic.twitter.com/1YqQkMzmvc
— Daily Faceoff – Fantasy (@DFOFantasy) February 11, 2026
