The Islanders’ Olympic hopefuls are, in the very literal sense of the word, hopefuls.
It’s entirely possible that no Islanders end up going to Milan. It’s equally possible that as many as four or five Islanders — a significant chunk of the roster — are on a plane to Italy in February.
They are the rare team where everyone in consideration for an Olympic roster is firmly on the bubble, so as the roster announcements start coming down over the next week, they’ll be watching closely.
The Post breaks down which Islanders could represent their countries in the Olympic Games.
Matthew Schaefer (Team Canada)
There’s a very good chance that Schaefer will either be the last defenseman to make Team Canada or the first defenseman cut.
For the 18-year-old to have put himself into the conversation as an NHL rookie is an incredible achievement, and at this point, it’ll likely come down to whether Canada’s management team can get over the mental hurdle of trusting someone so young.
New York Islanders left wing Emil Heineman (51) celebrates with New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) after he scores the game-winning goal during the shootout at UBS Arena on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Elmont, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Both statistically and by the eye test, Schaefer deserves to make it.
He’s electrified the NHL and played a huge role in changing the vibe around the Islanders. He’s also taken some of the league’s toughest minutes since early November, negating what would have been one of the chief concerns before then.
Bo Horvat (Team Canada)
Horvat, Montreal’s Nick Suzuki and Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele have been battling it out for a fourth line/penalty-killing role on Team Canada, and it’s unlikely more than two of them will make it. Depending how the chips fall, it might be just one.
Horvat has easily been the best scorer of the group, with the most goals in the fewest games. Scheifele leads the three in total points and Suzuki leads them in assists. Suzuki’s five-on-five defensive numbers have been the best of the three. Horvat has played the most on the penalty kill and done so for an Islanders unit that’s gone from one of the league’s worst to one of the league’s best.
Scheifele might draw the short end of the stick among the three, but to get Horvat and Suzuki both on the roster would create another tough decision. Would Canada dare leave off Anthony Cirelli, Brad Marchand or Mark Stone? It’s hard to believe Macklin Celebrini and Tom Wilson haven’t done enough to make it either.
Bo Horvat of the New York Islanders moves the puck down ice during the third period at UBS Arena. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
This one feels like a pure coin flip, and if Horvat doesn’t make it, he’ll be left wondering what would have happened if he hadn’t gotten hurt and missed the last five Islanders games before the break.
Emil Heineman (Team Sweden)
Some cautious optimism is in order for Heineman’s chances of joining Tre Kroner in Milan.
The 24-year-old wing has emerged with the Islanders as a versatile scorer capable of playing anywhere in the lineup. He’s been in the top six for the Islanders, but would likely be in a bottom six and penalty kill role for Sweden, the latter of which he’s excelled in for the Isles.
The last few spots in Sweden’s forward corps will likely come down to Heineman, William Eklund, William Karlsson, Simon Holmstrom, Rickard Rakell, Elias Lindholm and Marcus Johansson, in some order. Heineman has probably done enough to be on the right side of that equation.
Simon Holmstrom (Team Sweden)
Coming into the year, Holmstrom looked like he had a decent shot of going to Milan. After a dropoff in scoring and some overall inconsistent play, though, he hasn’t done much to help his case.
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He’s still a sound defensive presence and an effective penalty-killer, which would be his Olympic ticket. Sweden needs someone to fill those roles, and they could certainly do worse than Holmstrom. Still, it’s an uber-competitive fight to make it, and Holmstrom may be on the wrong side of things.
David Rittich (Team Czechia)
It’s unlikely Rittich will end up in Milan unless injuries change Czechia’s equation, but given that he’s having a strong year as Ilya Sorokin’s backup, and given that he’s one of just eight netminders from the country in the NHL, you can’t completely count him out.
That said, Karel Vejmelka, Dan Vladar and Lukas Dostal look like the trio of goaltenders Czechia will bring to Milan.