Sweden’s Olympic hockey roster just took a significant hit - and it could reshape their medal hopes in Milan before the puck even drops.
Head coach Sam Hallam confirmed that both Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson and Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin are likely to miss the 2026 Winter Olympics due to injury. While nothing is official yet, Hallam made it clear: Sweden is preparing to head to Italy without two players who were expected to play major roles.
“We expect to have to replace both Jonas Brodin and Leo Carlsson,” Hallam said in a recent interview. “We don’t see their start as likely.”
Let’s start with Carlsson, who’s been turning heads all season. The 21-year-old was leading the Ducks in scoring with 44 points in 44 games - 18 goals and 26 assists - before being sidelined.
He recently underwent a procedure to treat a Morel-Lavallée lesion in his left thigh, a rare soft-tissue injury that typically results from blunt trauma. The recovery timeline is reportedly 3-5 weeks, but with the Olympics fast approaching, the clock is working against him.
Carlsson’s absence is a tough blow for Sweden’s forward group. He’s part of the new wave of Swedish offensive talent, alongside names like Elias Pettersson and William Nylander.
His blend of size, vision, and scoring touch would’ve added another dynamic layer to an already potent top-six. And while he’ll likely have more Olympic opportunities ahead, this one stings - especially given how well he’s been playing.
Then there’s Brodin, the 32-year-old defensive stalwart from Minnesota. He was placed on injured reserve last week, marking his second stint on IR this season. Limited to 42 games so far, Brodin has still managed to chip in 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) while anchoring a Wild team that’s been trending upward.
For Brodin, this setback is more than just another injury. At 32, this Olympic cycle may have been his best - and possibly only - shot at representing Sweden on the biggest international stage. Known for his elite skating and positional awareness, Brodin was expected to be a key piece of Sweden’s experienced blue line, a group built to shut down the world’s best offenses.
Hallam emphasized that no final roster decisions have been made, but the writing is on the wall.
“We’ll give it a couple more days to see if anything extraordinary happens,” Hallam said. “But right now our working hypothesis is that they won’t come to the Olympics.”
It’s a tough scenario for Sweden, a team that was shaping up to be a serious contender in Milan. Carlsson’s offensive spark and Brodin’s defensive reliability would’ve brought balance to a roster that mixes youthful energy with veteran savvy. Without them, Hallam and his staff will need to pivot - and quickly - as they finalize replacements and recalibrate their lineup.
The Olympic dream isn’t over for Tre Kronor, but it just got a little more complicated.