Henrik Lundqvist exclusive: On goaltending at the Olympics, which men’s ice hockey teams will stand out at Milano Cortina 2026, and his medal predictions

How teams will adapt to Milano Cortina 2026

Of the 12 men’s teams competing at Milano Cortina 2026, 11 will have NHL players on their roster, and four will have at least 24 of their 25-man squads who play in North America’s top league. Canada, the United States of America, and Sweden have all their players on NHL teams; Finland have selected just one European-based player for their squad.

So most of them will be used to a smaller rink size, similar to the one in use at Milano Cortina 2026. European leagues play on a rink that is around 4m, or 13ft, wider than NHL rinks and the one which will be used in Milano.

“Canada, U.S., like to forecheck, dump the puck in, go after it, and from the forecheck create offence,” Lundqvist explained. “European teams, because of the bigger rink they’re used to, hold on to more pucks instead of dumping the puck. They might bring it back and keep the puck within the team.

“It’s a big difference in how you forecheck on a big ice versus small ice; this tournament is going to be played on a small surface, so it’s going to be beneficial for teams that have a great forecheck and put a lot of pressure on the defence.”

But with the top four teams being made up of players more than used to the smaller NHL dimensions, Lundqvist expects it will be the small things which end up making the difference. 

“The Olympics is very special because it’s a very short time in terms of preparation to make sure everybody gets on the same page,” he said. “So coaching. Accepting your role. A lot of details within the game sometimes will be the difference maker.

“It’s going to come down to how quickly can you assemble a team, can you make sure every piece of the puzzle makes sense? Because usually you get one, maybe two practices together and then you go — it’s not like other sports where you might prepare for a month or more. 

“You fly in, get one practice, then you try to make the most of it.”