The Florida Panthers went into the Olympic break with more than just a bad loss on their minds. After a tough 6-1 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning, they find themselves near the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings.
Sitting at 29-25-3, Florida is eight points back of the Boston Bruins for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The dream of a Stanley Cup three-peat is still alive - but it’s hanging by a thread.
While the NHL hits pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the Panthers will be well-represented in Milan, Italy, with 10 players heading overseas to compete for their countries. That’s tied for the most among NHL teams - and if injuries hadn’t gotten in the way, they would’ve set a new league record with 13 Olympians.
Let’s break down who’s suiting up for their countries and what to watch for as the Olympic men’s hockey tournament gets underway.
Latvia: Uvis Balinskis & Sandis Vilmanis
Latvia’s roster features two Panthers making history. Defenseman Uvis Balinskis - a two-time Stanley Cup champion - will patrol the blue line, while young forward Sandis Vilmanis brings energy and offensive upside. Earlier this season, they became the first Latvian duo in NHL history to both register a point on the same goal - a testament to how far Latvian hockey has come.
Latvia opens its Olympic campaign on Thursday, Feb. 12, against Team USA. They’ll follow that with matchups against Germany on Feb. 14 and Denmark on Feb.
- For a team that thrives on underdog energy, keep an eye on how Balinskis anchors the defense and how Vilmanis handles the international spotlight.
Sweden: Gustav Forsling
Gustav Forsling has quietly become one of the most valuable defensemen in the NHL. A key cog in the Panthers’ back-to-back Cup runs, Forsling led the league with a staggering plus-56 rating in the 2023-24 season - not bad for a guy picked up off waivers.
Now, he’s back with Team Sweden and looking to lead a deep blue line into medal contention. Sweden’s group stage games begin Feb. 11 against host nation Italy, followed by a heavyweight clash with Finland on Feb. 13, and then Slovakia on Feb.
- Forsling’s blend of skating, smarts, and two-way play will be crucial as the Swedes aim to reclaim Olympic gold.
Finland: Eetu Luostarinen, Anton Lundell & Niko Mikkola
Finland boasts a strong Panthers presence with forwards Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell, and defenseman Niko Mikkola all donning the blue and white. This group has chemistry, having played together in last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off. Unfortunately, they’ll be without their captain - Aleksander Barkov is sidelined for the season with an ACL injury - but this trio is more than capable of carrying the torch.
Finland opens the tournament on Wednesday against Slovakia, then faces rival Sweden on Friday and wraps up group play against Italy on Saturday. Expect Lundell to play a pivotal role down the middle, while Mikkola brings physicality and shutdown ability on the back end.
Canada: Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart & Brad Marchand
Canada enters the Olympics with firepower to spare, and three Panthers are right in the thick of it. Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, and Brad Marchand are all coming off strong NHL campaigns and played key roles in Canada’s gold medal win at the 4 Nations Face-Off last year. Bennett’s game-tying goal in the final helped push that contest into overtime - a moment that still resonates.
The Canadians begin their quest for gold on Thursday against Czechia, followed by games against Switzerland on Friday and France on Sunday. With Reinhart’s scoring touch, Marchand’s playoff pedigree, and Bennett’s grit, this trio could be the difference-makers in a stacked Canadian lineup.
United States: Matthew Tkachuk
Matthew Tkachuk is the lone Panther skating for Team USA, but he’s more than capable of carrying the spotlight. The power forward returns to international play after a strong showing in last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, where the U.S. fell just short in a heartbreaker against Canada.
Tkachuk will be counted on to lead the American offense when they open against Latvia on Thursday. They’ll then take on Denmark on Friday and Germany on Saturday, before heading into the qualification round on Feb.
- With his combination of skill, tenacity, and leadership, Tkachuk could be a game-changer for the red, white, and blue.
What It All Means for the Panthers
While the Panthers regroup during the break, their Olympic contingent has a chance to stay sharp, gain valuable experience, and represent their countries on the biggest stage in international hockey. For a team chasing a playoff spot, the hope is that their stars return healthy - and maybe even energized by the Olympic spotlight.
Ten players. Five countries. One big opportunity to make a statement - both overseas and, eventually, back in South Florida.