Group A may be Canada’s playground, but Group B? That’s where things get gritty.
With Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, and host nation Italy all squaring off, this group shapes up to be the most competitive in the tournament. It’s loaded with talent, national pride, and, for fans in Raleigh, a good dose of Hurricanes flavor.
Let’s break it down.
The Scandinavian Showdown: Finland vs. Sweden
Circle it on your calendar. Finland vs.
Sweden is one of the marquee matchups of the group stage-and not just because of the long-standing rivalry. These are two teams stacked with NHL talent, and both have legitimate medal aspirations.
Every player with ties to the Carolina Hurricanes happens to be suiting up for one of these two squads, which adds another layer of intrigue for Canes fans.
The winner of this clash likely takes the top spot in Group B. But don’t sleep on Slovakia just yet-they’ve quietly built a roster that could make some serious noise.
Finland Brings the Most Canes Connections
No surprise here: Sebastian Aho is front and center for Finland. He’s long been a fixture on the international stage, and his gold-medal run with the 2016 World Juniors team in Helsinki still resonates. Now, as the Hurricanes’ top scorer and one of their emotional leaders, Aho arrives in Italy with high expectations and a spotlight that’s only getting brighter.
Joining him are a few familiar faces from that same 2016 squad. Roope Hintz and Niko Mikkola are back alongside Aho, while the captain of that gold-winning team, Mikko Rantanen, also returns to don the Finnish colors. Rantanen’s time in Raleigh was brief, but his impact in the NHL has been anything but.
And then there’s the reunion Canes fans didn’t know they needed: Aho and Teuvo Teravainen potentially sharing a line again. That’s the kind of chemistry that doesn’t fade, and if they find their rhythm early, it could be a problem for every defense in the tournament.
Finland’s roster also features Erik Haula and Eetu Luostarinen-two players who were part of the same trade in 2020 that brought Vincent Trocheck to Carolina. Haula’s bounced around since then, but Luostarinen has carved out a key role in Florida, helping the Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cup wins.
Sweden’s Firepower and Familiar Faces
Sweden’s roster isn’t short on Hurricanes ties either. Elias Lindholm, a former first-round pick by Carolina in 2013, has had a winding road since his early days in Raleigh. After being traded to Calgary in 2018, he found his stride with the Flames before landing in Boston, where things have been a bit more uneven.
Gustav Forsling technically never played a game for the Hurricanes, but he did spend time in the organization before breaking out elsewhere. He’s now one of the more reliable two-way defensemen in the league and will be a steady presence on Sweden’s blue line.
Italy’s Uphill Battle
Let’s be real-Italy’s not expected to make a deep run. They’re the only team in the tournament without an NHL player, and their best Olympic finish came way back in 1956, when they placed seventh as the host nation. They’re back in the mix this year because they’re hosting again, but the odds are steep.
That’s less a knock on Italy and more a testament to the depth and strength of the other teams in Group B. Finland and Sweden are loaded.
Slovakia is no pushover either, bringing a tough, physical style led by the likes of Juraj Slafkovsky, Erik Cernak, and Martin Fehervary. Italy’s going to have to weather some storms over the next couple of weeks.
Slovakia: The Wild Card
Slovakia might not have the star power of Finland or Sweden, but they’ve quietly become a team to watch. Slafkovsky, the top overall pick in 2022, continues to grow into his role as a top-line threat, while Cernak and Fehervary anchor a blue line that plays with bite. If Slovakia can steal a game early, they could shake up the entire group.
Medal Watch: Finland and Sweden in the Mix
Looking at the big picture, there are about five or six teams in the tournament with a real shot at gold. Finland and Sweden are both firmly in that conversation. If they finish one-two in the group, there’s a strong chance they each earn a bye into the quarterfinals-an ideal setup for a deep run.
Sweden does have some injury concerns, with Leo Carlsson and Jonas Brodin sidelined, but their roster depth is still impressive. They’ve got a balanced lineup and a chip on their shoulder after falling to Finland at the 4 Nations tournament.
Finland, meanwhile, might not be bulletproof on the back end, but they’ve got the kind of top-end offensive talent that can take over games. Add in a strong goaltending trio led by Juuse Saros, and they’re built to win close games when it matters most.
Bottom line: Group B is going to be a grind. Finland and Sweden are the favorites, but Slovakia’s lurking, and every game will matter. For Canes fans, there’s plenty of familiar faces to root for-and if things break right, we could be watching some of them play for Olympic gold.