Okay, Brownie, well done.
To tune you all in, I dropped a detailed article regarding the 2026 USA Men’s Hockey team breakdown and how you can watch them all, to which Brownie shot back with a response as to why he thinks Canada will win the gold. Well, I have a response to the response as I am taking on the task of covering a Texas favorite, Finland. With the heavy presence of current and past Dallas Stars players representing Finland at the Olympic level, I would be a fool not to support Suomi. Brownie, as Samuel L. Jackson once said as Jules Winnfield in the cult classic Pulp Fiction,
“Allow me to retort.”
The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics men’s hockey tournament is shaping up as one of the most competitive in recent memory, especially with the return of NHL players. Among the top contenders, Finland stands out as a legitimate dark-horse for gold — a team that combines elite talent, structural discipline, and championship pedigree in a way that can overwhelm even the favorites. (You could also say dark-lion based on those absolutely silky Finnish jerseys.)
The Core That Can Carry Suomi
At the heart of Finland’s prospects are several elite NHL talents, not least from the Dallas Stars organization, whose chemistry and high-level play can be a decisive advantage:
- Mikko Rantanen — A perennial scoring threat and dynamic offensive catalyst capable of breaking games open.
- Roope Hintz — A versatile forward with a high compete level and two-way impact.
- Miro Heiskanen — One of the world’s best puck-moving defensemen who controls the tempo and transitions the puck cleanly.
- Esa Lindell — A steady, physical defender whose partnership with Heiskanen provides balance and shutdown capability.
Together, these four form part of a core nucleus that — when firing — can carry Finland deep into the medal rounds.
Predicted Starting Lineup (Drafted from Projections)
Based on projections from NHL.com and other roster forecasts, here’s how Finland’s lineup might look when the puck drops in February 2026:
Starting Goalie
- Juuse Saros — Expected starter with the ability to steal games on his best nights.
Top Forward Lines
Line 1
- LW: Mikael Granlund
- C: Roope Hintz
- RW: Mikko Rantanen
This trio blends chemistry from the Dallas Stars (Hintz + Rantanen) with Granlund’s playmaking and Olympic experience.
Line 2
- LW: Artturi Lehkonen
- C: Sebastian Aho
- RW: Teuvo Teravainen
A productive offensive unit with two-way balance and finishing ability.
Line 3
- LW: Eetu Luostarinen
- C: Anton Lundell
- RW: Oliver Kapanen
A hardworking group that adds energy, forecheck pressure, and secondary scoring.
Additional forwards such as Joel Kiviranta and Kaapo Kakko are likely depth pieces who can step up in key moments. If you need a reminder of that, please see Kiviranta’s performance in game seven of the 2nd round of the Stanley Cup in 2020.
Defense
Top Pair:
- Miro Heiskanen — Esa Lindell
This pairing combines elite puck movement with strong defensive awareness and shutdown ability — a significant advantage in international play.
Supporting Pairs:
- Niko Mikkola — Rasmus Ristolainen
- Mikko Lehtonen — Henri Jokiharju (or Nikolas Matinpalo)
These pairings add size, physicality, and secondary offensive support from the back end.
What This Lineup Means for Finland’s Gold Medal Chances
The projected lineup highlights key structural reasons why Finland could upset every traditional favorite:
1. Elite First Unit Chemistry
Finland’s top forward line — Hintz + Rantanen + Granlund — consists of players who have played together at high levels in the NHL, which translates into instant offensive cohesion in international competition. Not to mention that high level of play in the NHL happened to be as recent as last year’s playoff run with the Stars.
2. Balanced Two-Way Play
Players like Heiskanen and Lindell anchor Finland’s blue line with both defensive responsibility and the ability to drive transition play. Their experience playing together (especially on the Dallas Stars) makes them one of the more cohesive defensive clubs in the tournament.
3. Secondary Scoring Depth
Beyond the top line, forward depth from Aho, Lehkonen, Luostarinen, and Kapanen offers scoring and puck possession advantages — vital in short Olympic tournaments where goals are often at a premium.
4. Goaltending That Matters
Juuse Saros, when at his best, can steal crucial games against bigger names. Goalies are often the x-factor in short tournaments, and Saros’s NHL experience provides Finland with that potential edge.
Final Assessment
Finland’s predicted lineup shows a team that blends NHL star power with structural discipline and deep chemistry. With key Dallas Stars contributors — Rantanen, Heiskanen, Hintz, and Lindell — forming the backbone of both offense and defense, Suomi’s Olympic squad is not just a contender but a team that can upset traditional hockey powers and win gold.
If Finland can leverage this balance and chemistry through group play into the knockout rounds, their chances to reach the podium — and even the top step of it — are very real.
The Morning Skate 