The Montreal Canadiens are sending four of their own to the 2026 Olympic Games in Milano, Italy: Nick Suzuki (Canada), Alexandre Texier (France), Oliver Kapanen (Finland), and Juraj Slafkovsky (Slovakia). While the rest of the roster gets a much-needed three-week break, these four will be representing their countries on one of the biggest stages in hockey.
Now, there’s always that lingering concern when NHLers head to the Olympics-injuries, fatigue, the risk of disrupting chemistry just before the playoff push. But for a young team like the Canadiens, this break-and for a few, this international opportunity-could be exactly what they need.
Timing the Break Just Right
Let’s start with the bigger picture. The Canadiens are heading into the Olympic pause on a high note, fresh off a commanding 7-3 win over the league-leading Colorado Avalanche. They’ve still got three games to go before the break officially kicks in, but momentum is clearly on their side.
Last February tells us a lot about what this kind of pause can do. Montreal looked flat heading into the 4 Nations Face-Off, but came out of it looking like a different team-healthier, sharper, and more structured.
Led by Suzuki, they surged down the stretch and clawed their way into the final wild-card spot. Sure, they bowed out in the first round to Washington, but for a team in the thick of a rebuild, it was a clear step forward.
The core proved it could carry the load when it mattered.
This time around, the break might be even more valuable. Star forward Cole Caufield and standout rookie defenseman Lane Hutson were left off Team USA’s Olympic roster-surprising, considering the seasons they’re having.
But there’s a silver lining here: they get to rest, recover, and reset. Both have been logging heavy minutes, and this downtime could be the difference between fading down the stretch or finishing strong.
By the time the team regroups, head coach Martin St. Louis might finally have a fully healthy roster at his disposal for the first time all year.
Slafkovsky’s Olympic Opportunity
While most of the team hits pause, Juraj Slafkovsky is about to hit the gas.
At just 21 years old, Slafkovsky is starting to look like the player the Canadiens envisioned when they made him the top pick. This is his fourth full NHL season, and he’s taken a noticeable leap.
Through 54 games, he’s already hit a career-high in goals with 20, and he’s sitting at 43 points-just five off his career-best. He’s on pace for a 30-goal, 65-point season, and that’s not just growth-it’s a breakout.
The Olympics could be the perfect accelerant.
Slafkovsky isn’t just going to be wearing Slovakia’s jersey-he’s going to be their guy. Top line, top power play, possibly even penalty kill duties.
He’ll be leaned on to create offense, carry the puck, and make plays in big moments. That kind of responsibility, especially in a best-on-best tournament, has a way of sharpening a player’s game.
And the numbers back it up. A study from RG.org looked at how Olympic participation affects NHL production.
Players scoring between 0.5 and 0.75 points per game-right around where Slafkovsky is-saw only a 1.63% dip in scoring after the Olympics. Non-Olympians in that same range?
They dropped off by over 10%. In other words, the tournament tends to fuel momentum, not drain it.
Building Confidence, One Touch at a Time
What makes this even more valuable for Slafkovsky is the type of game he plays. He’s a power forward-6-foot-3, 225 pounds-and his bread and butter is puck protection, net drives, and physical presence.
The Olympic format, especially with the smaller rink size in Milano, plays right into his strengths. The tighter ice forces quicker decisions and emphasizes possession and board battles.
That’s where Slafkovsky thrives.
Plus, more puck touches in high-pressure situations can only help his feel for the game. He’ll be forced to make faster reads, be more decisive, and trust his instincts. That’s been a growing part of his NHL game this season, and the Olympics could be the crucible that takes it to the next level.
Even without the mental reset that some of his teammates will enjoy, stepping out of the NHL grind and into a leadership role with Slovakia could be just as refreshing. He’s already stepped up in Montreal, anchoring the second line alongside two rookies-Kapanen, who’s second among all rookies in goals, and Ivan Demidov, the rookie points leader. Slafkovsky has grown into that leadership role, and now he’ll be expected to do even more on the international stage.
The Bigger Picture
For a young player still carving out his identity in the NHL, the Olympics offer more than just a chance to represent his country. They’re a proving ground. Slafkovsky will be tested against the world’s best, asked to carry the load for his national team, and given a platform to refine the very skills that make him dangerous in the NHL.
If he comes back with more confidence, quicker instincts, and an even stronger net-front presence, the Canadiens will be better for it-especially as the games start to mean more and the playoff race tightens.
For Montreal, this Olympic break is more than just a breather. It’s a chance to get healthy, get focused, and maybe, just maybe, watch one of their brightest young stars take another leap forward on the world stage.