Nylander, Landeskog among initial six players on Sweden’s 2026 Olympic Roster

On Monday morning, Team Sweden named its first six players for its 2026 Milan Olympic men’s hockey roster.

The six: Rasmus Dahlin, Victor Hedman, Adrian Kempe, Gabriel Landeskog, William Nylander and Lucas Raymond.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman and captain Dahlin, 25, still hasn’t competed in the Stanley Cup playoffs yet after seven NHL seasons but is fresh off an excellent 2024-25 campaign in which he compiled 68 points in 73 games while making a strong impact at both ends of the ice. He’s been a longtime international mainstay for the Tre Kronor, suiting up for multiple World Juniors and World Championships and being named top defenseman at the 2018 WJC. He skated for Sweden at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, scoring once in three games.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman and captain Hedman, 34, is 16 years into a future Hall of Fame career that includes two Stanley Cups, a Norris Trophy and a Conn Smythe Trophy. Hedman has won almost everything a player can, including World Championship gold in 2017, but he has yet to cross Olympic gold off his list – nor has he ever played for Sweden in the Olympics. He was snubbed in 2014, believe it or not.

Los Angeles Kings left winger Kempe, 28, brings his speedy sniper game to the Tre Kronor once more. He won gold at the 2018 World Championship and scored once in three games for Sweden at the 4 Nations.

Arguably the morning’s biggest roster announcement for any nation was that of Colorado Avalanche left winger and captain Landeskog, 32. After knee problems kept him out of hockey for three full years and threatened to end his career, he returned to the NHL this spring to play five playoff games for the Avs, looking healthy and effective in the process. Having not been medically cleared to play by this past February, he missed the 4 Nations, so he’s a notable addition to the Swedish lineup if he can stay healthy into next winter.

Toronto Maple Leafs right winger Nylander, 29, brings his dominant international resume to Milan. He has an incredible 16 goals and 38 points across 24 career games at the Worlds. But he’s one of so many longtime NHL stars who haven’t competed in the Olympics before due to the NHL not participating since 2014.

Detroit Red Wings right winger Raymond, 23, is fresh off a career-high 80 points and tied for the Sweden team lead in points at the 4 Nations with three in three games.

Sweden last won Olympic gold in 2006 and is coming off a disappointing 4 Nations in which it finished third, winning once in regulation and dropping two games in overtime.