As the hockey world turns its eyes toward Milan and the 2026 Winter Olympics, a trio of Toronto Maple Leafs are set to play pivotal roles for their respective countries - and how they perform could very well shape the medal picture.
Auston Matthews (USA): The Engine of Team USA
When it comes to Team USA’s gold medal hopes, Auston Matthews isn’t just a key piece - he’s the engine. The Americans are bringing one of their most talented rosters in recent memory, and Matthews is expected to lead the charge on both ends of the ice. His offensive production will be a barometer for how far this team can go.
“We feel like we’re up there and we should be competing for gold,” Matthews said recently. “You want to be the best country in the world.”
That mindset is exactly what you want from your top center - and Matthews has shown flashes of that elite form this season. Since the holiday break, he’s been heating up.
From January 1 to January 19, he posted 10 goals and five assists in just 10 games. That’s the kind of stretch that reminds you why he’s one of the most dangerous goal scorers in the game.
But hockey’s a game of ebbs and flows, and Matthews has cooled off a bit heading into the Olympic break, managing just one goal and five assists over his last eight games - including a four-game goal drought. Still, the Americans will be banking on his ability to flip the switch when the lights are brightest. If he does, Team USA could be in for a deep run.
William Nylander (Sweden): Back in Form, Back in the Spotlight
For Sweden, William Nylander’s health was a big question mark heading into the tournament. But the 29-year-old has put those concerns to rest with a strong return to the Maple Leafs lineup after missing seven games with a groin injury.
Nylander didn’t just ease back into things - he made an immediate impact. With a goal and three assists in wins over Calgary and Edmonton before the break, he looked like his old self again: smooth, dynamic, and dangerous.
Even with the missed time, Nylander leads the Leafs in scoring with 52 points (18 goals, 34 assists) in just 40 games. That kind of production speaks for itself, and Sweden will need every bit of it in Milan.
And if history is any indication, Nylander tends to elevate his game when he puts on the Tre Kronor. He’s been a consistent force for Sweden in international play, averaging more than a point per game across four World Championships. In 2017, he was named MVP of the tournament while leading Sweden to gold.
This will be Nylander’s first Olympic appearance - following in the footsteps of his father, Mikael, who represented Sweden in 1998 and 2002. If the younger Nylander can bring his international magic to Milan, Sweden’s medal chances get a serious boost.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Sweden): A Veteran’s Resurgence
Oliver Ekman-Larsson wasn’t a lock for Sweden’s Olympic roster at the start of the season. But the 34-year-old has forced his way into the conversation - and onto the team - with a resurgent campaign in Toronto.
After being left off Sweden’s 4 Nations roster last year, Ekman-Larsson has responded with his best offensive season in years. Through 57 games, he’s already tallied 34 points - his highest total since 2018-19. He’s on pace for 49 points, which would be his second-best NHL season behind only his 55-point campaign in 2015-16.
He’s also been an ironman for the Leafs, one of just two players (alongside John Tavares) to suit up for every game so far. And he’s not just producing - he’s playing with bite. That physical edge will be crucial in a high-stakes Olympic tournament where every shift matters.
Ekman-Larsson brings a wealth of international experience to the table, including a trip to the 2014 Winter Olympics, where he recorded three assists in six games. He joins fellow 2014 silver medalists Erik Karlsson, Marcus Johansson, and Gabriel Landeskog on this year’s Swedish squad - a group that knows what it takes to get to the final.
The Bigger Picture
For Matthews, Nylander, and Ekman-Larsson, Milan represents more than just another tournament - it’s a chance to define their legacies on the international stage. Each brings a different skill set, a different role, and a different story, but all three will be counted on to lead.
If Matthews finds his scoring touch, if Nylander continues to dazzle in blue and yellow, and if Ekman-Larsson anchors the Swedish blue line with the poise and grit he’s shown all season, don’t be surprised to see their countries in the hunt for gold.
The Olympics are where stars shine brightest. These Leafs are ready for the spotlight.