Members of the USA Men’s Hockey team pose for a roster photo ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Following roster announcements, various players were replaced due to long-term injuries. across several teams. Photo courtesy of @br_openice on Instagram.

For the first time in 12 years, NHL players are headed to the Olympics. With the roster for each country released in early January, injuries were inevitable. 

Team USA 

IN: Jackson LaCombe (Anaheim Ducks) 

OUT: Seth Jones (Florida Panthers) 

Jones has been a standout player for the Panthers this season with 24 points. The defenseman sustained an upper body injury, specifically a broken collarbone, in the Winter Classic game on Jan. 2 against the New York Rangers. Jones was placed on long-term injured reserve and shortly after withdrew from the Olympics.  The Ducks alternative captain was named his replacement. LaCombe currently has six goals this season and a career-high 31 assists.  

Team Canada 

IN: Seth Jarvis (Carolina Hurricanes) 

OUT: Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning) 

Point sustained a lower-body injury on Jan. 12 against the Philadelphia Flyers where he was helped off the ice, favoring his knee. Days later he was placed on injured reserve and recently placed on long-term IR. Point’s start to the season has been slow, averaging just 30 points in 37 games for the Lightning. On the other hand, Jarvis has had an impressive season with the Hurricanes, averaging 25 goals and 18 assists in just 48 games this season.  

Team Sweden 

IN: Marcus Johansson (Minnesota Wild) and Hampus Lindholm (Boston Bruins) 

OUT: Leo Carlsson (Anaheim Ducks) and Jonas Brodin (Minnesota Wild) 

Carlsson underwent a procedure in the middle of January to his left thigh, putting him on injured reserve for 3-5 weeks. Anaheim’s emerging star was set to lead the first line for team Sweden, but his injury caused Johansson to step in. Similar to Carlsson, Minnesota’s Brodin underwent surgery for a lingering lower-body injury but is expected to return to the team prior to the end of the regular season. The defenseman is replaced in the Olympics by Hampus Lindholm of the Boston Bruins. Lindholm played for the national team before, winning gold at the 2018 world championship.  

“I have some really good memories playing for the national team, obviously one world championship there, and anytime you put it on, doesn’t matter what scenario, it’s such a cool jersey, has so much history tied to it,” Lindholm said in an interview with NHL.Com. “So, for any player — we haven’t had that many opportunities for Olympics either for me in my career so far — it’s going to be a great honor to go there.” 

A player of the Finnish men’s hockey team scores a goal against the Swedish goal during a round of shootouts. Previously, NHL players were not allowed to compete in international matchups; the 2026 Winter Olympics mark their first time since 2014. Photo courtesy of @rizki_robillard on Instagram.

Team Finland 

IN: Joonas Korpisalo (Boston Bruins) 

OUT: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Buffalo Sabres) 

Luukkonen sustained a lower-body injury during the Sabres win against Toronto on Jan. 27. The goaltender has a .899 save percentage across his career and has been a strong force in the net for the Sabres. Korpisalo is in a backup goaltender role for the Bruins with goaltender Jeremy Swayman starting in the majority of games. Despite this, the 29-year-old has an impressive track record so far with a .900 save percentage across his career. With Swayman representing team USA, both Boston goaltenders will be going up against each other for Gold. 

The men’s Olympic hockey tournament begins on Wednesday, Feb. 11 and will conclude on Feb. 22.  

Fan can tune in to watch on streaming services such as Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.