As the NHL hits pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, a handful of Tampa Bay Lightning players are trading in their Bolts sweaters for national pride - and a shot at Olympic gold. It’s the first time in 12 years that NHL players are back on the Olympic stage, and while the absence of Russian players leaves a noticeable gap, the tournament still promises high-level, best-on-best hockey that fans have been craving.
For some Lightning players, the break is a chance to rest and recover. For others, it’s a golden opportunity - literally.
Eight players from the Lightning organization, plus one from their AHL affiliate in Syracuse, are suiting up for their respective countries. And they won’t be alone.
Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper is steering the ship for Team Canada, and general manager Julien BriseBois will be in the building as part of Canada’s management group.
Unfortunately, Canada will be without two key Lightning forwards. Brayden Point (lower-body) and Anthony Cirelli (upper-body) were both sidelined due to injuries, missing out on what would’ve been their Olympic debuts. That’s a tough blow for Team Canada, but Cooper still has a familiar face on the roster in Brandon Hagel, who’s looking to make his mark on the international stage.
Sweden, though, has the most Lightning flavor in this tournament. Victor Hedman - already a two-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the most respected defensemen in the game - is joined by forward Pontus Holmberg. Hedman’s presence alone gives Sweden a serious boost, and with a strong blue line and dependable goaltending, they’re a team that could make a deep run.
Elsewhere, Zemgus Girgensons is back representing Latvia for the second time, bringing experience and grit to a team that always plays with heart. Jake Guentzel, a proven playoff performer, will be a key piece for Team USA, especially around the net.
Denmark’s Oliver Bjorkstrand will be counted on to generate offense, while J.J. Moser (Switzerland), Erik Cernak (Slovakia), and Wojciech Stachowiak (Germany) round out the Lightning’s Olympic contingent.
Beyond national pride and medal hopes, there’s another layer of motivation for some of these players: the chance to join the elite Triple Gold Club. That’s the exclusive group of players who’ve won a Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal, and a World Championship gold. Only 30 players - and one coach - have ever pulled it off.
Three former Lightning players are already in that group: Frederik Modin, Valtteri Filppula, and Corey Perry. So who from this year’s roster has a shot to join them?
Let’s break it down:
- Victor Hedman is the closest. With two Stanley Cups and a World Championship gold already on his résumé, an Olympic gold would complete the trifecta.
If Sweden can pull off the upset in Milan, Hedman could cement his legacy with a spot in the club.
- Erik Cernak also has two Stanley Cups but is still chasing both international golds.
- Jake Guentzel has a Cup ring from his time in Pittsburgh but hasn’t yet claimed gold at the international level.
- Brandon Hagel, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Zemgus Girgensons, Pontus Holmberg, J.J. Moser, and Wojciech Stachowiak are all still looking for their first major championship hardware.
So yes, there’s a real possibility we see another Lightning name etched into the Triple Gold Club - but it’s going to take a big push from Team Sweden. According to the oddsmakers, Canada (+105) and the USA (+170) are the favorites, but Sweden (+650) is lurking with a strong defensive core and one of the tournament’s top goaltending tandems. If they get hot, don’t be surprised if they crash the party.
Hockey fans can catch all the Olympic action across NBC’s family of networks and streaming on Peacock. With early morning puck drops (starting as early as 6:00 AM) and late afternoon matchups wrapping up the day, it’s wall-to-wall international hockey for the next few weeks. Circle February 22nd on your calendar - that’s when the gold medal game goes down at 8:10 AM ET.
For now, the Lightning faithful will be watching closely, hoping their guys bring home medals - and maybe even make a little history along the way.