"The 2026 Olympics also mean something special to not just Leafs players, but to players around the league, as this will be the first time since the 2014 Sochi games that NHL players will participate in the tournament. According to the Canadian Olympic Committee, for the PyeongChang 2018, NHL players could not participate due to the league, NHLPA, IIHF, and the IOC not being able to agree to terms."
"A star player like Matthews could help add some more firepower to what already could be a stacked American team. The last time he represented the United States in best-on-best action was earlier this year in the 4 Nations Face-Off. Matthews recorded three assists in three games played. Two of those assists came in the final game against Canada, where the Americans lost in heartbreaking fashion."
"Nylander led Leafs' scoring last season by potting 45 goals, a career high. He still seems not to have cooled down just yet, as he currently has 15 points in nine games so far this season. That total is good enough to have him in the top 10 for points so far and first on the Leafs. Like Matthews, Nylander made his respective national team roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year."
The 2026 Winter Olympics will include NHL players for the first time since 2014. NHL players did not participate in 2018 because the league, NHLPA, IIHF, and the IOC could not agree to terms, and they were not present at the 2022 Games despite earlier agreement. Several Toronto Maple Leafs could see ice time in 2026, notably Auston Matthews for the United States and William Nylander for Sweden. Matthews recorded three assists in three games at the 4 Nations Face-Off, including two in the final against Canada. Nylander led the Leafs with 45 goals last season and has 15 points in nine games this season. If selected, both players could bolster their national teams’ top-six forward groups and power-play units and contend for medals.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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