Rosters & Odds Released for Winter Olympic Hockey

The NHL will take a two-week pause in February as players compete for their respective home countries in the Winter Olympics. Fans can look for powerhouse teams like Canada, USA, Finland, and Sweden when the puck drops.

The tournament runs Feb. 11-22 in Italy and those who enjoy some NHL betting will have to wait two weeks for the league to return. But futures bets on which squad may win the gold medal are already available.

Finland won gold in 2022 and Russia won in 2018. Keep reading for more of what to expect from this year’s action.

Key Players to Watch

International hockey gained plenty of headlines when the NHL took a break for the 4 Nations Face-Off last February. That event also featured NHL players representing Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the U.S.

Canada ultimately triumphed in an overtime win over the U.S. in the championship game. A look at the team rosters may give NHL prop betting fans something to look forward to in the Olympics.

The Canadian squad will once again be packed with talent, including Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Mark Stone, Macklin Celebrini, Thomas Harley, and numerous other stars. MacKinnon finished as MVP in the 4 Nations after posting four goals in the series.

The USA is also represented well with Kyle Connor, Jack Eichel, Jack Hughes, Auston Matthews, Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk, and Connor Hellebuyck. Team USA scored a win earlier in the series in the 4 Nations and then took Canada to the brink in the championship.

Former NHL player and current Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin also serves as GM for Team USA. He recently told NHL.com that some top statistical leaders were left off the team, including seven of the top 14 American forwards in goals.

Guerin said selection for the team went beyond stats and that he and his leadership group were charged with building a team that could grind and win against tough opponents like Canada.

“Those guys are all great players too, and I understand that,” he said of those left off the roster. “But we have to make a team. I’ve said before, like, if we’re doing it like that, then you don’t need a general manager. You don’t need a coach … just do it by stats.”

Of the 25 players on the roster, 21 played in the 4 Nations tournament and Guerin was pleased with how the team competed.

“I liked the way we played,” Guerin said. “Everybody was together. Everybody played the right way, adhered to the game plan that (New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan) and his coaching staff brought to the table. But I think the biggest thing for me was the chemistry, and I think the chemistry allowed the guys to play the way that they did.”

Sweden boasts a roster that includes William Nylander, Mika Zibanejad, Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin, and Filip Gustavsson. Finland also has a talented squad that includes Sebastian Aho, Mikael Granlund, Roope Hintz, Mikko Rantanen, and Miro Heiskanen.

Winter Olympics Futures Betting

These four teams above are the betting favorites to win gold. Sportsbooks are already offering futures betting and predictably, Canada and the USA are the favorites.

Sweden and Finland sit in third and fourth. With a talented roster of NHL players, these squads may also offer some value. Here’s a look at FanDuel odds for all teams in the tournament.

• Canada +135
• USA +190
• Sweden +550
• Finland +1200
• Czechia +1400
• Switzerland +3500
• Slovakia +7000
• Germany +7000
• Latvia +12500
• Denmark +12500
• Italy +25000
• France +2500