Eight Oilers players heading to Olympics would put team in elite company
Reports have surfaced that the Edmonton Oilers could have up to eight players that could compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Preston Hodgkinson of the daily hive states that eight players from the Edmonton Oilers could be on their way to the Winter Olympics of 2026. Canada, Germany, Sweden are the three nations that could be represented by these Oilers.
For Canada, it's a virtual certainty that Connor McDavid would be leading the team alongside Pittsburgh Penguins legend Sidney Crosby. Some feel that he may pass the torch to McDavid but that remains to be seen. Other players mentioned our elite defenseman Evan Bouchard who had 82 points last season and is preparing to have another fantastic year with the Oilers, Zach Hyman who has watched his game elevate to the next level as he had over 50 goals last year along with a gritty style of play that would give Canada an edge.
Ryan Nugent Hopkins would help round out scoring and give more offensive depth and would help the line of Hyman if he were chosen as they have good chemistry. Finally, Stuart Skinner would round out the Canadian choices and likely be a front runner for the starting job has Canada does not have the depths of goaltending of the past which would have pushed goalies down further in the depth chart.
Germany would have one lone contributor and virtual lock in superstar center Leon Draisaitl. His numbers speak for himself, and he would lead his country as the main star who's had several 100-point seasons and deemed the most successful German born player in the NHL.
Sweden with see two great players in Mattias Ekholm and Oilers newcomer Viktor Arvidsson. Ekholm would give his team quality defensive play and is deemed one of the most top defensive players in the NHL and in Sweden. He's not afraid of using his body and certainly would give his team an edge in the hits department.
Arvidsson would also get top minutes for his team even at 31 years old. The Oilers along with Sweden are hoping that he can have a bounce back year this year and prepare himself for the potential to be called to play for his country and the Oilers are hoping he will have a great year as he will become an anchor in the top 6.
If all these players are chosen, it will put the Oilers organization into another category as they would hold many elite players viewed as the best in the world as they would compete for the gold medal in Milan 2026.
Source: Daily Hive Offside
8 Oilers players who could compete at the 2026 Olympics
| POLL | ||
Who would you select on the Oilers to represent team Canada aside Connor McDavid? | ||
| Stuart Skinner | 14 | 4.7 % |
| Ryan Nugent Hopkins | 60 | 20.3 % |
| Evan Bouchard | 57 | 19.3 % |
| Zach Hyman | 164 | 55.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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