The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina are underway, and the men's hockey tournament is generating considerable buzz as NHL players participate for the first time since 2014. A panel of NHL.com editors and writers has made their predictions for the medal winners, group winners, and individual awards.

The Favorites

Canada is the favorite to win gold, with nine of the 19 NHL.com staff members polled picking them to win. Canada has a strong history in the Olympics, winning gold three times when NHL players have participated, including back-to-back victories in 2010 and 2014. Sidney Crosby has been named Team Canada captain. Connor McDavid and Crosby previously played together for Team Canada at the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off last February.

The United States is also a strong contender, with six staffers predicting they will win their first gold medal since the "Miracle On Ice" in 1980. Team USA boasts a strong roster, including forwards Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, and Brady Tkachuk, as well as a deep goaltending pool with Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman. The projected lines for the United States include Brady Tkachuk, Jack Eichel, Matthew Tkachuk, Clayton Keller, Auston Matthews, and Jake Guentzel. The defensemen are projected to be Quinn Hughes, Brock Faber, Zach Werenski, Charlie McAvoy, Jaccob Slavin, and Jake Sanderson.

Sweden is another team to watch, with four NHL.com staffers predicting they will repeat their gold-medal performance from 2006. Sweden has a talented roster, featuring forwards Filip Forsberg, Elias Lindholm, and Mika Zibanejad, as well as defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Victor Hedman. Gabriel Landeskog is healthy enough to play and was named Sweden's captain.

Other Contenders

While Canada, the United States, and Sweden are the frontrunners, other teams could also contend for a medal.

Czechia has a solid roster, including David Pastrnak, Tomas Hertl and Martin Necas, and could be a threat if Necas plays at his full potential. Finland, the defending gold medalist from 2022, will face a challenge due to the loss of Aleksander Barkov to injury. Germany has a rising team fueled by NHL stars like Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stutzle and Moritz Seider.

X-Factors

Every team has a player who could be an X-factor, someone who could exceed expectations and have a significant impact on the tournament. For Canada, Brad Marchand could provide valuable experience and leadership. Matt Boldy is a player to watch for the United States, while Joel Eriksson Ek could be a key player for Sweden.

Tournament Format

The tournament features 12 teams, each playing three preliminary games in their respective groups. All 12 teams will then advance to a single-elimination playoff, culminating in the gold medal game on February 22.

With NHL players back in the Olympics, the men's hockey tournament promises to be an exciting and unpredictable event. While Canada, the United States, and Sweden are the favorites, several other teams have the potential to make a run at a medal.