It’s been 12 years since NHL players last laced up their skates for Olympic hockey, but the wait is finally over. The 2026 Winter Games in Milano-Cortina are underway, and with them comes the return of best-on-best international hockey - a long-awaited moment for fans, players, and teams alike.
For the Ottawa Senators, though, this Olympic break is a double-edged sword. With six of their players representing their countries on the world stage, there’s pride - and plenty of nerves - back in Canada’s capital.
Brady Tkachuk, Jake Sanderson, Tim Stützle, Lars Eller, Mads Søgaard, and Nikolas Matinpalo are all suiting up in Italy, and while that speaks volumes about the talent on Ottawa’s roster, it also adds a layer of anxiety. The Senators are sitting six points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. With just 25 games remaining after the NHL schedule resumes on February 26, every shift, every point, and every healthy body is going to matter.
The push for Olympic participation was a key part of the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement, with the NHL Players’ Association making it a priority. And for good reason - the players want to compete for their countries, and fans want to see the world’s best go head-to-head. Senators owner Michael Andlauer has backed that vision, understanding the value of letting his stars shine on the biggest international stage.
But the memories of past Olympics still linger, especially for Senators fans who remember what happened the last time the Games were held in Italy.
Flash back to 2006 in Turin. Dominik Hasek, then 39 and in his first season with Ottawa, had been signed to a one-year, $2 million contract to help solidify the crease.
But in a preliminary game between the Czech Republic and Germany, Hasek went down early in the first period and left the game. That injury would end his season with the Senators - a devastating blow to a team with serious playoff aspirations.
It’s the kind of moment that sticks with fans. And while this year’s group is younger and healthier, the risk is always there.
Tkachuk already had a scare during the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this season, missing time with Ottawa after representing Team USA. It was a reminder that international play, while thrilling, doesn’t come without consequences.
Still, the upside is undeniable. For players like Stützle and Sanderson, this is a chance to test themselves against the best in the world and bring that experience - and confidence - back to Ottawa for the stretch run.
For Matinpalo and Søgaard, it’s an opportunity to raise their profiles and sharpen their game under pressure. And for fans, it’s a chance to watch their favorite players compete for gold - even if it means watching with fingers crossed.
The Senators aren’t out of the playoff picture, but the margin for error is slim. When the NHL resumes, they’ll need to hit the ground running. That means staying healthy, staying sharp, and bringing back the kind of momentum that can only come from the Olympic spotlight.
Until then, all eyes are on Milano-Cortina - and all hearts in Ottawa are hoping those six players come back ready for the fight ahead.