With the NHL hitting pause for the Olympic break, the Vegas Golden Knights find themselves at the heart of international hockey’s biggest stage. Eight players and head coach Bruce Cassidy are off to Milano-Cortina for the 2026 Winter Olympics, giving the Golden Knights one of the most significant presences of any NHL team in the tournament. And with the way this roster is constructed, don’t be surprised if the “Vegas style” - that fast, structured, physical brand of hockey - becomes a defining theme of the Olympic competition.
A Golden Knights Showcase in Italy
Let’s start with the obvious: when you send your head coach and nearly half your core to the Olympics, your fingerprints are going to be all over the action. Bruce Cassidy joins Team Canada’s bench as an assistant coach, bringing his detail-oriented system to a roster loaded with NHL stars - including three of his own.
Mark Stone, Shea Theodore, and Mitch Marner (who was acquired by Vegas earlier this season) will all suit up for Canada, while Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin will represent Team USA. Tomas Hertl is skating for Czechia, Rasmus Andersson joins Sweden’s blue line, and goaltender Akira Schmid will backstop Switzerland.
That’s a wide geographic spread, but it also sets up some fascinating matchups - including a few Golden Knights-on-Golden Knights battles.
Stone vs. Eichel: Captain vs. Captain
Circle February 12 on your calendar. That’s when Canada faces Czechia in a preliminary round game, but more importantly, it’s when we’ll see Vegas teammates go head-to-head. Mark Stone and Shea Theodore will line up against Tomas Hertl, giving fans a rare glimpse at Golden Knights chemistry split across international lines.
But the biggest storyline? Jack Eichel vs.
Mark Stone. The two captains - Eichel for Team USA, Stone for Team Canada - are not only leaders of their Olympic squads, they’re also the emotional and tactical anchors of the Golden Knights.
Seeing them on opposite ends of the ice, each trying to outwit the other, is a hockey fan’s dream.
This is more than just a fun subplot. It’s a real test of how Vegas’ top players perform under Olympic pressure - and a preview of how their leadership might carry over when the NHL season resumes.
The Silver Lining for the Walking Wounded
While the spotlight is on the Olympic-bound, the break might be even more important for the players staying home. The Golden Knights limped into the pause, dropping five of their last six games before snapping the skid with a much-needed win over Vancouver.
Injuries have piled up. William Karlsson remains out with a lower-body issue and isn’t expected back until March.
Brandon Saad and Colton Sissons are also shelved until after the Olympics. That’s a lot of depth missing from the lineup - and a lot of minutes that had to be redistributed in recent weeks.
This two-week window without NHL games gives Vegas a chance to reset. No games mean no risk of further injuries, and valuable time for key contributors to get healthy without missing more ice time. For a team that’s still very much in the playoff hunt, that’s a crucial advantage.
Full List of Golden Knights at the Olympics
Here’s a quick look at the Golden Knights players representing their countries in Milano-Cortina:
- Mark Stone - Forward, Canada
- Mitch Marner - Forward, Canada
- Shea Theodore - Defense, Canada
- Jack Eichel - Center, USA
- Noah Hanifin - Defense, USA
- Tomas Hertl - Center, Czechia
- Rasmus Andersson - Defense, Sweden
- Akira Schmid - Goalie, Switzerland
That’s elite talent spread across four continents and five national teams. And with Bruce Cassidy behind Canada’s bench, you can bet the Golden Knights' fingerprints will be all over the medal rounds.
What’s Next?
The NHL returns to action on February 25, giving Vegas a little over two weeks to rest, recover, and root for their teammates on the Olympic stage. When they return, the push toward the playoffs begins in earnest - and how their Olympians perform under the bright lights of international play could have ripple effects back home.
For now, the Golden Knights are on pause - but make no mistake, they’re still very much in the spotlight.