Olympic Hockey Heats Up as NHL Stars Head to Milan, and the Blackhawks Make Headlines at Home
With the NFL season officially in the books - shoutout to Sam Darnold, Kenneth Walker, and the Seattle Seahawks for hoisting the Lombardi Trophy - the sports world now shifts its focus to the ice. The 2026 Men’s Olympic Hockey Tournament is set to begin this Wednesday in Milan, and the early signs suggest we’re in for something special.
Olympic Camps Open, Leadership Groups Announced
National teams have hit the ice for pre-tournament practices, and we’re already getting a glimpse at how some of the world’s best will line up. Team Canada, no stranger to star power, officially named Sidney Crosby as captain - a move that feels as inevitable as a Crosby backhand goal in crunch time. Cale Makar and Alex Pietrangelo were tapped as alternates, giving Canada a leadership trio that combines experience, composure, and elite skill.
On the other side, Auston Matthews will wear the “C” for Team USA, with Matthew Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy serving as alternates. Matthews has been the face of American hockey for a while now, and this captaincy just formalizes what fans and teammates already knew - this is his team.
Canada’s head coach Jon Cooper gave us a first look at his potential lines during Sunday’s practice, and there’s plenty to dissect. Macklin Celebrini, the teenage phenom, skated on the top line alongside Connor McDavid and Tom Wilson - a fascinating blend of speed, skill, and grit.
The second unit featured Nathan MacKinnon centering Brad Marchand and Nick Suzuki, while the third line saw Crosby flanked by Mark Stone and Mitch Marner. That’s a lineup that can roll four lines and wear down opponents in a hurry.
Team USA’s lines are also taking shape, and after a bit of uncertainty, Jack Hughes appears to have settled into a defined role. His dynamic playmaking will be a key ingredient if the Americans hope to challenge for gold.
Around the NHL: Trade Chatter and Playoff Hopes
Back on the NHL front, trade season is quietly building momentum. In Pittsburgh, the Penguins are assessing their roster needs as the trade deadline approaches.
With Sidney Crosby still performing at a high level, GM Kyle Dubas has a narrow window to retool and make a push. Adding scoring depth and blue-line stability could be on the table.
In St. Louis, Robert Thomas has emerged as a hot commodity - but don’t expect him to come cheap.
According to reports, the asking price is steep, potentially even higher than what Colorado fetched for Mikko Rantanen last year. That’s a big swing for any team, but Thomas’ playmaking and two-way game make him worth the call.
Speaking of Colorado, they’ll be well-represented in Milan, too. Gabriel Landeskog, finally healthy after a long injury layoff, has been named captain for Team Sweden. He’ll be joined by Victor Hedman and Erik Karlsson as alternates - a trio that brings Olympic experience and big-game pedigree.
Finland, meanwhile, will be led by Mikael Granlund, with Mikko Rantanen and Sebastian Aho serving as alternates. The Finns are always a tough out in international play, and this group has the talent and chemistry to make noise.
And while the Olympic break gives NHL players a chance to chase gold, it also gives fans a moment to take stock of the playoff picture. The Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and Anaheim Ducks - the three teams with the longest active postseason droughts - all sit in playoff position as of now. If they can hold on, it would mark a major shift in the league’s landscape.
Blackhawks Buzz: AHL All-Star Honors and Olympic Snubs
Back in Chicago, the Blackhawks made headlines of their own this week - and not just for what’s happening on the ice.
Let’s start with the AHL All-Star Classic, which takes place in Rockford this weekend. Brett Seney, captain of the Rockford IceHogs, is set to join Kevin Korchinski and Nick Lardis at the event.
Seney has been a steady presence all season, racking up 35 points (10 goals, 25 assists) in 41 games. His selection is well-earned and gives Rockford a strong trio representing the host city.
But the bigger news - and one that left fans scratching their heads - involves a detail from a trade nearly a year ago. The first-round pick the Blackhawks received from the Florida Panthers in the Seth Jones-Spencer Knight deal is actually top-ten protected.
That nugget somehow stayed under the radar for almost 11 months, catching both fanbases and media off guard. It’s a reminder that in the NHL, no detail is too small when it comes to draft picks and trade conditions.
On the Olympic front, Connor Bedard was once again passed over for Team Canada. With Anthony Cirelli and Brayden Point needing to be replaced, there was speculation that Bedard might get the call.
Instead, Sam Bennett and Seth Jarvis were added to the roster. Bedard’s time will come - he’s too talented to be left off forever - but this latest snub will certainly fuel his fire heading into the second half of the NHL season.
As the Olympic puck drops in Milan, there’s no shortage of storylines to follow - from superstar line combinations to rising young talent, from trade whispers to playoff pushes. The NHL may be on pause, but the drama is just getting started.