Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550/WBEN) – With the Winter Olympics approaching in 2026 and set to take place in Milan, Italy, it was announced last week that NHL players are set to return and will be participating in the games for the first time since 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
Related
The Buffalo Sabres have had three players on their active roster participate in past Winter Olympic Games. Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin played with Sweden in the 2018 games, defenseman Owen Power suited up for Canada at the 2022 games, and forward Zemgus Girgensons was among the NHL players who participated in the 2014 games with Latvia.
Sabres head coach Don Granato is happy the NHL players are back in the Olympics.
"The Olympics are a whole 'nother level, and it’s exciting for USA hockey fans to see all the best talent," said Granato on Thursday. "The talent pool has gotten so much better just in 10 years, and I know the players get very excited about it. It’s an incredible experience, especially on foreign soil, so for the players to have that opportunity is really a special part of their careers."
Sabres captain Kyle Okposo thinks it’s extremely important for both the league and the players to be taking part in the Winter Olympic Games.
"Absolutely. It’s still the biggest stage," Okposo said emphatically on Thursday.
"Everyone around the world watches the Olympics, and you want the best athletes in the Olympics. If we’re the cream of the crop in ice hockey, then we should be there."
Okposo knows there are reasons for everything, especially when it comes to the financial part.
"I understand we have 32 owners and we have a commissioner, and there are a lot of factors where we don’t make money as a league. But I think you have to look at that sometimes. There’s an outlier where it’s part of your business, because it’s going to grow your brand, and because it’s going to promote the players that play, that you make money," Okposo said. "This is something that whatever it takes to get our guys there, we have to be there. I know as players, the best players in the world want to play in the Olympics."
Okposo knows some of his current teammates will be playing in the Olympics, and he can’t wait to see them flourish.
One very good possibility for Team USA is winger Alex Tuch, who says is excited that NHL players are back in the Olympics.
"As a union, it’s something we’ve pushed for hard," said Tuch earlier this week. "Being able to represent your country is something that everyone in the NHL takes great pride in, and having been able to represent my country when I was younger, it's something I’ve really taken to heart and really cherished.
"USA hockey has given me many opportunities, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without those opportunities."
Tuch says it’s an ultimate goal, and adds it would be unbelievable if he was ever given the opportunity to play in the Olympics.
With the emergence of Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, he along with Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros would be the front-runners to play in net for Team Finland. Luukkonen believes playing in the Olympics is what every player wants.
"It’s really, really exciting," said Luukkonen on Thursday. "It’s something I’m kind of looking towards to, and maybe and hopefully get a chance to play there. But I think it’s a great, great decision."
Luukkonen is working towards making the team, but realizes the games are still two years away.
"We have a lot of great goalies from Finland, so when the time comes, we’ll see what their decision is," Luukkonen acknowledged. "But until then, it’s just something I’m looking forward to."
Saros is four years older than Luukkonen, so the 24-year-old has learned a lot from the veteran netminder.
"He’s one of the best goalies in the league, and I think every goalie can learn from him," Luukkonen said. "How technical and fast he is, and how solid he plays, even though he’s a smaller guy. I’ve seen him play for a long time, and I learned a lot from him."
Although Girgensons played for Latvia in the 2014 Olympics, his home country will have to play in the Olympic qualifiers in order to punch its ticket to the 2026 games. Girgensons says he will participate in those qualifiers once again to give Latvia the best chance to play in Milan.
As far as NHL players being back, Girgensons is hoping to get another chance to represent his country.
"It’s always nice to be playing for your country," said Girgensons on Thursday. "I’ve missed a lot of years with the World Championships, with injuries and babies on the way. I missed playing for the National Team, but anytime you get to represent, especially on a stage like the Olympics, is a very important, proud moment."
Girgensons was 20-years-old when he last played in the Olympics, and says he loved everything about it.
"It was unbelievable, and something I will definitely remember forever," he said. "The whole experience, not just the games - the flying over, living in the village, seeing other athletes - you can’t mimic that kind of atmosphere."
Meanwhile, Power played for Team Canada in the latest Winter Olympics in 2022. Those were the Olympic Games the NHL was originally set to return to, but an outbreak of COVID-19 league-wide put a halt to that in the months leading up to the Beijing Games.
The 21-year-old says he really enjoyed being a part of the Olympics at such a young age, and while still playing at the University of Michigan.
"Obviously it was different circumstances with COVID being in a bubble and also the NHL players not being there, but for me, it was definitely a cool experience that I think I’ll have the rest of my life," said Power on Thursday.
When it comes to German players in the NHL right now, Sabres winger JJ Peterka is third in league scoring behind just Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl and Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle. His 18 goals are second behind Draisaitl’s 23.
It would be shocking if Peterka wasn’t on Team Germany's roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
"I’m super pumped. I’ve always had good memories with Germany. Even last summer I played an awesome tournament there," said Peterka, who just turned 22-years-old last month. "Just being able to represent my country Olympic-wise is a dream coming true."
There were no changes to the lines during Thursday’s practice, as the team prepares to host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday afternoon.