Finland's Olympic title defense carries a different weight this time around, loaded with NHL firepower that shifts expectations in Milan. With Barkov sidelined by injury, Granlund steps up as captain while Heiskanen anchors a massive blue line, blending vets and young guns like Kakko and Lundell. Korpisalo slides in for the injured Luukkonen, giving them a Bruins backbone between the pipes. The Finns always punch above, but this roster tests if NHL depth turns pressure into gold-medal fuel.

Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin anchors Sweden's blue line with Victor Hedman, while Tage Thompson brings his sniper touch to Team USA's forward group alongside Jack Eichel and the Tkachuk brothers. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, initially tabbed for Finland, sits out with a lower-body tweak that front offices hate seeing this close to puck drop. These Sabres reps highlight how the NHL's Olympic return spotlights franchise cornerstones chasing gold in Milan-Cortina, with every shift carrying weight back home.

Juuse Saros carries the weight of Finland's netminder hopes into the 2026 Winter Olympics after back-to-back rough NHL seasons with Nashville, where his save percentage dipped below .900 for the first time in his career. Buffalo's Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen lurks as a hot-hand challenger, posting eye-popping numbers lately that could force coach Antti Pennanen to rethink the starter role in this best-on-best spotlight.