{"id":453803,"date":"2026-02-10T23:35:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T23:35:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/453803\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T23:35:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T23:35:18","slug":"a-devils-fans-guide-to-the-2026-winter-olympics-the-hockey-writers-new-jersey-devils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/453803\/","title":{"rendered":"A Devils Fan\u2019s Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils"},"content":{"rendered":"

While it\u2019s certainly been a struggle for the New Jersey Devils<\/a> this season, this much-needed break comes with a bonus for their dejected fans; seven of their players will get a chance to showcase their skills on the world\u2019s biggest stage at the 2026 Olympic Games im Milan-Cortina, Italy.<\/p>\n

Related:\u00a0Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics Men\u2019s Hockey Tournament<\/a><\/p>\n

Suddenly, team record doesn\u2019t matter. National pride is everything. This will be the first time NHL players head to the games since Sochi 2014 \u2014 12 years ago. <\/p>\n

Here is everything you need to know if you\u2019re a Devils fan watching the Winter Games.<\/p>\n

*Editor\u2019s Note: Games in the U.S. can be viewed primarily through\u00a0NBCUniversal\u2019s platforms, including live on\u00a0Peacock\u00a0(all games),\u00a0USA Network,\u00a0CNBC, and\u00a0NBC, with Spanish coverage on Telemundo\/Universo. In Canada, games will be shown on CBC, TSN, and Sportsnet, as well as internationally via local rights holders or streaming on\u00a0Olympics.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Team USA<\/p>\n

Jack Hughes<\/p>\n

While Jack Hughes has struggled to stay on the ice, reports out of Milan signal that he\u2019ll be a full go. When healthy, he\u2019s elite: he has 335 points (135 G, 200 A) in his last 287 NHL games.<\/p>\n

Hughes practiced on Team USA\u2019s fourth line<\/a> yesterday alongside J.T. Miller and a rotation of Vincent Trocheck and Brock Nelson. Excitingly for the Hughes family, when the puck drops for their first contest on Thursday, it\u2019ll mark the first time Jack is teammates with brother Quinn since the 2019 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships<\/a> \u2014 2,457 days ago.<\/p>\n

\"JackJack Hughes, Team USA (Winslow Townson-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cMiracle on Ice, grew up watching that,\u201d said Hughes after he was named to the team. \u201cEven 2014 with [TJ Oshie\u2019s shootout heroics] \u2026 you dream of it, to have the chance to be part of it is extremely special.\u201d<\/p>\n

Across five major tournaments in a U.S. sweater, Jack has 40 points (14 G, 26 A) in 29 games\u2026though he hasn\u2019t scored a goal since the World U18s in 2019. Will that change in Milan!?<\/p>\n

When to Watch Jack Hughes & Team USA<\/p>\n

As we see in many international tournaments, a hot start for a player could instantly propel them from the bottom-six to one of the team\u2019s most important players. It\u2019ll be vital for Jack to get off to a hot start against Latvia.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s when you can catch the Devils\u2019 star forward in action.<\/p>\n

February 12: Latvia vs United States, 3:10 p.m. \u2014 Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena<\/p>\n

February 14: United States vs Denmark, 3:10 p.m. \u2014 Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena<\/p>\n

February 15: United States vs Germany, 3:10 p.m. \u2014 Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena<\/p>\n

*All times EST*<\/p>\n

Team Sweden<\/p>\n

Jesper Bratt<\/p>\n

Jesper Bratt has struggled this season \u2014 at least for his standards. His shooting percentage of 10.4% is his worst in a non-shortened season since 2018-19, but the Olympics are a great place to get back on track.<\/p>\n

He was one of Sweden\u2019s better forwards at the 4 Nations Face-Off<\/a> and has compiled eight points in 16 games across three major international tournaments for his country. He\u2019s been practicing on Sweden\u2019s second line alongside Lucas Raymnd and Elias Lindholm.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a tournament you have dreamed of playing your whole life,\u201d said Bratt. \u201cEvery scenario when you were younger, being at an outdoor rink or playing street hockey, was always playing for Sweden in the Olympics.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"JesperTeam Sweden forward Jesper Bratt (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

Jacob Markstrom<\/p>\n

Jacob Markstrom<\/a> is heading into this Olympic tournament with a massive chip on his shoulder. Not only has he struggled in New Jersey this season, but he\u2019s had a rough recent experience in recent international play.<\/p>\n

First, he missed the entire 4 Nations Face-Off due to an injury. Then, he was the losing goaltender in Team Sweden\u2019s semifinal contest against Team USA at the Worlds in May, stopping just 16 of 20 (.800 SV%) as Sweden fell short of their goals on home ice.<\/p>\n

All it takes is a hot week and some confidence to get back on track; he had a .926 save percentage (SV%) in his final two starts prior to the break. On talent alone, Markstrom possesses the capability to steal games for Sweden \u2014 much like Jordan Binnington<\/a> did for Canada at 4 Nations. It\u2019s still unclear how much he\u2019s going to play, as he\u2019ll be sharing a crease with talented Swede Filip Gustavsson.<\/p>\n

When to Watch the Swedish Duo<\/p>\n

Sweden certainly has the talent to win Gold despite being overshadowed by the U.S. and Canada.<\/p>\n

February 11: Sweden vs Italy, 3:10 p.m. \u2014 Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena<\/p>\n

February 13: Finland vs Sweden, 6:10 a.m. \u2014 Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena<\/p>\n

February 14: Sweden vs Slovakia, 6:10 a.m. \u2014 Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena<\/p>\n

*All times EST*<\/p>\n

Team Switzerland<\/p>\n

Nico Hischier (Alternate Captain)<\/p>\n

While most NHLers (especially from Europe) care about International play, not many do so more than Nico Hischier for Switzerland. He\u2019s taken time out of his summers after a long, grueling NHL season to suit up at the IIHF Worlds on six separate occasions. He\u2019s captained three of those teams and has earned two silver medals.<\/p>\n

Including the World U18s and World Juniors, he\u2019s notched 59 points in 63 games for the Swiss. If they have any chance of upsetting their way to a medal, Hischier will be a massive part of that.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s been practicing on their top line alongside Kevin Fiala and Calvin Thurkauf.<\/p>\n

Timo Meier<\/p>\n

Another player who has a chance to play a massive role for Switzerland is Timo Meier. After putting up 23 points (11 G, 12 A) in his first 29 games this season, he\u2019s struggled mightily with just five (3 G, 2 A) in the following 23 contests.<\/p>\n

In that span, Meier has created 96 scoring chances and per Natural Stat Trick<\/a>, he would have an extra ~8-9 goals if he finished at just an average rate. Maybe the luck will turn in Milan.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a kid, you look at the things you want to achieve, and Olympics are definitely on there,\u201d said Meier.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s been skating with Philipp Kurashev and Denis Malgin on Switzerland\u2019s third line. Across seven major international tournaments, Meier has 42 points (16 G, 26 A) in 47 games.<\/p>\n

Jonas Siegenthaler<\/p>\n

Just by virtue of being in the NHL, Jonas Siegenthaler is one of the best defensemen to ever come out of Switzerland. Of course, the best goes to Nashville\u2019s Roman Josi, the nation\u2019s all-time points leader who will captain the team. <\/p>\n

Siegenthaler has been skating alongside Dean Kukan on the second pairing. By separating Josi and Siegenthaler, the Swiss will have a balanced defense that certainly has the capability to shut down any opponent if they\u2019re on their game. We\u2019ve seen them upset many countries at the IIHF Worlds, but they haven\u2019t gotten over the hump to win gold.<\/p>\n

Across 11 major international tournaments (72 games), he has 29 points (4 G, 25 A) and most importantly: a plus-35 rating. <\/p>\n

When to Watch the Swiss Trio<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll see if the Devils\u2019 Swiss representatives can raise their game on the biggest stage. Here\u2019s when to watch:<\/p>\n

February 12: Switzerland vs France, 6:10 a.m. \u2014 Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena<\/p>\n

February 13: Canada vs Switzerland, 3:10 p.m. \u2014 Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena<\/p>\n

February 15: Switzerland vs Czechia, 6:10 a.m. \u2014 Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena<\/p>\n

*All times EST*<\/p>\n

Team Slovakia<\/p>\n

Simon Nemec<\/p>\n

Juraj Slafkovsky and Simon Nemec are viewed as stars<\/a> in their home country of Slovakia \u2014 rightfully so. The duo were drafted #1 and #2 in 2022, respectively, and despite being just 21 years old, they\u2019ve been focal points of the National Team for years.<\/p>\n

\"SimonSimon Nemec at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Team Slovakia (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

After a pretty strong offensive start in New Jersey, Nemec will look to ramp up his game for a country that doesn\u2019t have many NHLers. He\u2019s been practicing on the top pairing alongside Martin Fehervary.<\/p>\n

In 44 games for Slovakia, Nemec has amassed 26 points (3 G, 23 A). He is one of very few current NHLers who is returning from the 2022 Olympics in Beijing<\/a>; Nemec played seven games there as a 17-year-old prospect and earned a Bronze Medal.<\/p>\n

When to Watch Simon Nemec & Team Slovakia<\/p>\n

Could Nemec propel the Slovaks to a massive upset!? Here\u2019s when to watch:<\/p>\n

February 11: Slovakia vs Finland, 10:40 a.m. \u2014 Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena<\/p>\n

February 13: Italy vs Slovakia, 6:10 a.m. \u2014 Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena<\/p>\n

February 14: Sweden vs Slovakia, 6:10 a.m. \u2014 Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena<\/p>\n

*All times EST*<\/p>\n

The Olympics Are Finally Here<\/p>\n

As we saw with 4 Nations, international best-on-best tournaments are a time for people to come together and appreciate the great sport of hockey. <\/p>\n

Be sure to check out the incredible coverage here at\u00a0The Hockey Writers throughout the 2026 Winter Olympics.<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"While it\u2019s certainly been a struggle for the New Jersey Devils this season, this much-needed break comes with…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":453804,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5109],"tags":[3189,201,5,1272,3170,576,151,5185,5184,4,1602],"class_list":{"0":"post-453803","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-jersey-devils","8":"tag-2026-winter-olympics","9":"tag-devils","10":"tag-hockey","11":"tag-jack-hughes","12":"tag-jesper-bratt","13":"tag-new-jersey","14":"tag-new-jersey-devils","15":"tag-newjersey","16":"tag-newjerseydevils","17":"tag-nhl","18":"tag-nico-hischier"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/116048962218509360","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/453803","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=453803"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/453803\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/453804"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=453803"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=453803"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=453803"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}