Denmark Loses Key NHL Forward Jonas Rondbjerg Ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics
Team Denmark is heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics with a tough blow to absorb: forward Jonas Rondbjerg won’t be suiting up. The Vegas Golden Knights winger has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering a lower-body injury during Sunday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks. Danish general manager Morten Green confirmed the news, dealing a significant setback to a roster already thin on NHL experience.
Rondbjerg was placed on injured reserve by Vegas on Monday and missed the team’s final two games before the Olympic break. Rookie forward Kai Uchacz stepped in for him in the Golden Knights' lineup, but there’s no replacing what Rondbjerg meant to Denmark’s Olympic plans.
This was supposed to be Rondbjerg’s Olympic debut. He was part of Denmark’s successful run through the 2025 Olympic Qualifiers, where he chipped in a goal across three games and brought a steady, physical edge that helped push Denmark to the top of Group F. At 6-foot-2, Rondbjerg was expected to bring that same physicality and reliability to Denmark’s bottom six - a role that becomes especially important when facing heavy, hard-hitting teams like Finland and the United States.
Rondbjerg is one of only seven NHL players on Denmark’s 2026 Olympic roster, a group that includes top-line talents like Nikolaj Ehlers (Hurricanes), Oliver Bjorkstrand (Lightning), Lars Eller (Senators), and Oscar Fisker Molgaard (Kraken). While those names will drive Denmark’s offense, Rondbjerg was set to do the dirty work - forecheck hard, grind in the corners, and wear down opposing lines. His absence leaves a hole that’s not just about scoring; it’s about identity.
This season, Rondbjerg has bounced between the NHL and AHL, putting up one point in four games with Vegas and 23 points in 36 games with the Henderson Silver Knights. He’s not flashy, but he’s dependable - the kind of player who thrives in international play where structure and grit often matter more than highlight-reel goals.
Now the question becomes: who steps in?
Denmark has a few paths it could take. One is veteran winger Felix Maegaard Scheel, a 33-year-old who’s no stranger to the national team.
He’s played in the last four World Championships and appeared in three national team games earlier this season. Currently skating in Germany’s DEL, he’s tallied 11 points in 29 games - not eye-popping, but his familiarity with Denmark’s system could give him an edge.
Another option is Viktors Čubars, who’s lighting up Denmark’s top domestic league with 57 points in 40 games. He’s got the offensive touch, no question, but the jump from domestic play to the Olympic stage is a big one. Still, if Denmark wants to inject some scoring into the lineup, Čubars is worth a look.
Other local names in the mix include Patrick Bjorkstrand and Oliver True - the latter being the cousin of Nikolaj Ehlers. Both bring international experience and could fill a bottom-six role without disrupting the top-line chemistry.
And then there’s the NHL connection. If Denmark wants to maintain that North American pedigree, Mathias From could be the guy.
A former Chicago Blackhawks draft pick (fifth round, 2016), From is having a strong season in Austria’s IceHL with 53 points in 42 games. He’s got the skill and the pro experience, and he might be the best fit if Denmark wants to keep its forward group as close to NHL-caliber as possible.
No matter who gets the call, replacing Rondbjerg won’t be easy. He wasn’t just filling a spot - he was a key piece of Denmark’s Olympic puzzle. Now, with the tournament just around the corner, the Danes will have to pivot quickly and find a new solution to keep their Olympic hopes on track.