The Winter Olympics are heating up in Milan, and Florida Panthers fans have plenty to keep an eye on as their stars continue to make waves on the international stage. This week’s episode of The Hockey Show dove deep into Olympic hockey, with ESPN’s Ryan S. Clark joining the crew to break down standout performances, emerging talent, and a few unforgettable moments from the men’s and women’s tournaments.
With host Roy Bellamy out of town, David Dwork took the reins, joined by producers Ethan, Rose, and guest producer Gabe. Together, they steered the conversation through a packed week of Olympic action - and there was no shortage of storylines.
Team USA: Strong Starts and Rising Stars
Both the U.S. men’s and women’s teams are off to impressive starts in Milan, showing the kind of cohesion and high-end skill that can carry them deep into the tournament. One of the biggest storylines?
Laila Edwards. The young forward made headlines with a historic performance against Canada, marking a significant moment not just for Team USA, but for women’s hockey as a whole.
Her emergence on this stage is a testament to the growing depth of talent in the American pipeline.
On the men’s side, the buzz is all about Canadian phenom Macklin Celebrini. The teenager is putting on a clinic in Milan, showcasing the kind of poise and skill that has scouts and fans alike buzzing. His play has been electric - the kind of performance that reminds you why Olympic hockey is such a special stage.
Florida Panthers Representing Across the Board
Back in South Florida, the Panthers faithful are keeping close tabs on their Olympic-bound players - and for good reason. Matthew Tkachuk is doing what he does best: making plays, driving possession, and bringing a relentless edge to Team USA.
Playing alongside his brother Brady, the chemistry is palpable. The Tkachuks are giving the Americans a physical, skilled duo that’s tough to contain.
Meanwhile, the Panthers’ Finnish contingent has had a mixed showing. While there have been flashes of strong play, Finland fell short against Slovakia, raising questions about how far this group can go. On the flip side, Swedish defenseman Gus Forsling helped his team secure an opening win, anchoring the blue line with the kind of steady, two-way play Panthers fans have come to expect.
Canada’s use of its Panthers players has raised some eyebrows, with limited ice time becoming a storyline in its own right. It’s always tricky balancing star power on a national roster, but it’s clear that some of Florida’s top talent isn’t being fully unleashed in Milan.
Elsewhere Around the Ice - and Beyond
This week’s “wins and fails” segment delivered some lighter moments too. A memorable highlight? The Canadian hockey team’s candid reactions to a crash during a speedskating event - a reminder that even elite athletes can be wide-eyed fans when the stakes are high and the action unpredictable.
Team Italy’s goaltender also earned a nod for an outstanding performance that had fans buzzing, despite the team’s underdog status. And in classic Hockey Show fashion, Rose brought up a soap opera subplot that left the rest of the crew scratching their heads - but hey, not every storyline has to be on the ice.
Injury Watch: Niko Mikkola
One concerning note for Panthers fans: defenseman Niko Mikkola appeared to suffer an injury while representing Finland. Details are still developing, but any potential absence would be a blow to both his national team and the Panthers’ blue line depth heading into the NHL stretch run.
As the Olympic tournament rolls on, all eyes will remain on Milan - and on the Panthers players making their mark on hockey’s biggest international stage. Whether it’s the Tkachuk brothers lighting it up for Team USA, or the ups and downs of Canada and Finland’s usage of Florida’s talent, there’s no shortage of storylines to follow.
Stay tuned. The games are just getting started.