The upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics is drawing attention, especially in women’s hockey. With strong matchups like the USA vs. Finland and Canada vs. Switzerland, there’s excitement all around.
After a 12-year break, the NHL is back in the Olympics, but one big name is missing: Russia. Since their invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has been banned from international competitions. This absence raises an interesting question: what if Russia could participate? To explore this, Igor Larionov, a Hall of Famer and renowned figure in Russian hockey, was asked to create a hypothetical Olympic team.
Larionov, who now coaches in the KHL, put together a roster that showcases players purely from the NHL. He stated, “I don’t see anyone in the KHL who could match the current NHL talent.” His insight underscores a significant skill gap between the two leagues.
Goalies
When selecting goalies, Larionov chose Sergei Bobrovsky, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Igor Shesterkin, leaving out Ilya Sorokin. He reflected on the challenge of picking just three from such outstanding options. “All these goalies have won major titles,” he noted. The decision came down to experience and proven success.
Defensemen
Larionov focused on players with a mix of skill and smart play. He included Nikita Zadorov, valuing both his size and hockey IQ. On defense, he emphasized that while physicality matters, skill is essential, especially in high-stakes games.
Forwards
For the forwards, he imagined pairing Montreal’s rookie Ivan Demidov with Alex Ovechkin. Noting Demidov’s hard work, Larionov saw their combination as potentially explosive. He also faced challenges selecting centers, opting to place winger Artemi Panarin in that role due to his impressive hockey IQ.
Overall, Larionov believed this roster might have made Russia a bronze medal contender, showcasing dynamic offense and solid goaltending. In fact, analysts estimated that Russia would have had a 44.7% chance of medaling.
Impact of Russia’s Absence
Without Russia, the tournament’s dynamics change significantly. If we look at the preliminary groups, Russia’s inclusion would have pushed teams like France out of the competition, leading to more intense matchups. For example, Canada and Sweden would have faced tougher challenges, with Russia and the USA clashing in Group C.
Current predictions show Canada winning its group 73% of the time and the USA 84%. With Russia in the mix, those odds would drop. Both Canada and the USA would face increased chances of early elimination, heightening the drama of the tournament.
Historically, the presence of Russia has always shaped Olympic hockey. Their absence could lead to an easier path for Canada and the USA but also diminishes the excitement that competition brings.
In conclusion, while the return of the NHL to the Olympics is exciting, the absence of a Russian team alters the landscape of women’s hockey for this tournament. A more predictable result may not captivate fans as much as the competition Russia often brings.
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Men's Olympic Ice Hockey, NHL, Olympics
