With the NHL season hitting pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the Winnipeg Jets head into the break on a sour note. Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to the Canadiens at Canada Life Centre capped off a tough stretch for a team that’s struggled to find its footing all season. Through 56 games, the Jets sit 28th in the league standings-well outside the playoff picture-and currently hold just an 8.5% chance at landing the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft.
But while there will be plenty of time to unpack what’s gone wrong in Winnipeg this year, the spotlight now shifts to Italy, where Olympic hockey is back-and this time, NHL players are in the mix for the first time since 2014.
Jets fans still have plenty to cheer for over the next two weeks, with four players representing three different nations in the men’s Olympic hockey tournament. Nino Niederreiter (Switzerland), Josh Morrissey (Canada), and the American duo of Kyle Connor and Connor Hellebuyck have all made the trip to Italy, ready to chase gold on the international stage.
Nino Niederreiter - Switzerland 🇨🇭
Niederreiter is no stranger to international play, and he’s stepping into a leadership role for the Swiss squad. Already named one of Switzerland’s flag bearers for the opening ceremony, he had the honor of leading his country’s athletes into the stadium-an unforgettable moment for any Olympian.
This marks Niederreiter’s second Olympic appearance, his first coming back in 2014. He’s also a veteran of six World Championships and was part of Team Europe during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Switzerland may not be among the favorites, but with a growing group of NHL-caliber talent-including Niederreiter-they’ve got the potential to surprise. The Swiss are in a competitive Group A alongside Canada, Czechia, and France, and they’ll need Niederreiter’s experience and two-way play to steady the ship.
Josh Morrissey - Canada 🍁
Canada’s blue line is loaded, but Josh Morrissey has carved out a spot for himself on what looks to be the second defensive pairing, skating alongside Colton Parayko. Morrissey’s last appearance for Team Canada came at the Four Nations Face-Off, and now he’s back in red and white with Olympic gold on the line.
While he may not be the flashiest name on a stacked Canadian roster, Morrissey brings stability, puck-moving ability, and a high hockey IQ to the back end. He’s also expected to see time on the second power-play unit, and with Canada likely to roll all three pairings in key moments, his presence will be felt. Canada enters the tournament as the gold medal favorite, and Morrissey’s versatility makes him a key piece of that puzzle.
Kyle Connor and Connor Hellebuyck - USA 🇺🇸
Team USA is coming in hungry-and with good reason. It’s been 46 years since the “Miracle on Ice,” and this roster is built to contend.
Connor Hellebuyck is expected to be the starter between the pipes, and that’s a big deal. The Americans have depth in goal with Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman also in the mix, but Hellebuyck’s experience and calm presence give him the inside track. If the U.S. is going to make a deep run, Hellebuyck will likely be the backbone.
Up front, Kyle Connor is looking to bounce back after a quiet Four Nations tournament, where limited ice time kept him from making much of an impact. But with some high-profile snubs on the U.S. roster-like Cole Caufield and Jason Robertson-Connor is going to be leaned on to provide offense. His speed and finishing ability make him a natural fit in the top six, and this tournament could be a chance for him to reassert himself on the international stage.
Mark Your Calendars: Jets in Olympic Action
Here’s when you can catch these four Jets in action during the early stages of the tournament:
- February 12th, 5:10 a.m. CST - Nino Niederreiter and Switzerland open against France
- February 12th, 9:40 a.m. CST - Josh Morrissey and Canada take on Czechia
- February 12th, 2:10 p.m. CST - Kyle Connor, Connor Hellebuyck and Team USA face Latvia
The men’s tournament officially begins February 11th, and it all builds toward the gold medal game on February 22nd at 7:10 a.m. CST. It’s a busy stretch of high-stakes international hockey, and for Jets fans, it’s a chance to watch some familiar faces chase Olympic glory.
So while the NHL season takes a breather, the Olympic stage is set-and four Jets are ready to make their mark.