As the Colorado Avalanche continue to dominate the NHL this season, attention is shifting toward the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. The Canadian team will announce its roster on Wednesday, while the United States will reveal its selections on Friday morning during “The Today Show.” Several Avalanche players are in contention to represent their countries in this prestigious international competition.
Prospects for Canada
Among the Canadian contenders, Avalanche stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are expected to secure their places on the team. Both players were included in the initial roster announced in June, alongside teammate Gabe Landeskog, who will don the Swedish colors. Another potential representative is Martin Necas, who was named to the Czechia roster.
Defenceman Devon Toews is also a likely candidate, provided he maintains good health. Toews and Makar previously played together at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, where their pairing proved successful, contributing to Canada’s undefeated run in that tournament.
The goaltending situation for Canada presents an intriguing challenge. Both Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood have been outstanding this season, creating a strong case for selection. However, Jordan Binnington, despite his struggles with the Blues, is considered a lock for the roster due to his previous contributions to Canada’s success. Logan Thompson, who had a notable season with the Washington Capitals last year, is also in the mix, although his absence from the 4 Nations may work against him.
The final goaltending spot could be a contest between Darcy Kuemper, a former Avalanche player, and one of the current goaltenders. Both Blackwood and Wedgewood have shown strong performances this year, making them viable candidates.
U.S. and European Contenders
For the U.S. team, forward Brock Nelson has emerged as a serious candidate. After a slow start to the season, Nelson has showcased his two-way capabilities, making him a valuable asset for a short tournament format. Although younger players with better statistics exist, the U.S. coaching staff values defensive contributions as much as offensive output.
Finland’s Artturi Lehkonen is expected to secure his Olympic spot. He was on the radar for a potential early roster announcement in June and has consistently performed well for the Avalanche. Another Finnish player, Joel Kiviranta, remains a wild card. His offensive output has been less than last year’s, but his reliability makes him an important part of the team’s depth.
Looking to the Czech Republic, Ivan Ivan faces a tougher road. Currently, he ranks among the lower tier of Czech forwards in terms of NHL games played this season, with only 43 games played thus far. While his defensive skills may bolster his case, improved offensive numbers in the AHL would enhance his prospects of making the final roster.
With the roster announcements approaching, the spotlight will remain on the Avalanche players who could bring their talents to the international stage. As the teams finalize their selections, fans from all nations will be eager to see which players will have the honor of competing for Olympic gold in February 2026.
