2026 Olympics: Updated Team Sweden roster projections

OUT: William Eklund
IN: Emil Heineman

We can’t forget that the Swedes never lost a game in regulation at the 4 Nations Face-Off. This team is damn good, top to bottom, and it can roll four strong, high-IQ forward lines. I kept the top 12 almost the same as my last update, but I promoted Carlsson from the fourth to the second line. I was all-in on his breakout with the Anaheim Ducks happening this year, but he’s still managed to exceed my expectations, and I won’t be surprised if he’s the No. 1 center when I make my final update next month.

Biggest flex: I know Heineman has scored his nine goals on 22 percent shooting and won’t keep up his pace. But I’m not putting him on the team for his offense anyway. He can play a hard physical game and defend well. He’s an ideal fourth-liner if needed.

Toughest cut: Maybe I’m overreacting by cutting William Eklund since he hasn’t played poorly for the San Jose Sharks this season and has a high enough compete level to play down in Sweden’s lineup. I just wanted to give Heineman his flowers for such a strong start to his year.

Also considered: William Eklund, Marcus Johansson, Victor Olofsson, Andre Burakovsky, Simon Holmstrom, Gustav Nyquist, Viktor Arvidsson, Mikael Backlund, Fabian Zetterlund, Alex Wennberg

FORWARDS (14) – Uffe Bodin’s picks

OUT: Simon Holmström, William Karlsson
IN: Marcus Johansson, Emil Heineman

Carlsson’s big breakthrough couldn’t have come at a better time. There have been a lot of questions about Sweden’s center depth, and he has answered many of them. I don’t think we should expect miracles from a 21-year-old, but compared to where we were before the 4 Nations a year ago, this creates a whole new level of optimism. Carlsson has shown some nice chemistry with Lucas Raymond in the past. Let’s see if that continues.

Elias Pettersson has gotten a lot of flak this season as well, but I’m honestly more concerned about Mika Zibanejad. I’m not sure what the heck to do with him at this point. I’m sure he’ll make the team, but there are plenty of more intriguing options right now.

Biggest flex: Marcus Johansson may be 35 years old, but he’s on pace for the best output of his career and looks really good with the Minnesota Wild. Plus, he always seems to bring his A-game with the national team. I can’t really keep him out of the lineup anymore.

Toughest cut: Simon Holmström and William Karlsson are both excellent choices, but the competition is fierce. Karlsson has had his injury woes over the past two seasons, while Holmström has been outshined by his new teammate Emil Heineman on Long Island. We’ll also see where Rickard Rakell stands when he gets back from his injury.

Also considered: Victor Olofsson, Alexander Wennberg, André Burakovsky, Rickard Rakell

DEFENSEMEN (8) – Matt Larkin’s picks

OUT: Mattias Ekholm
IN: Simon Edvinsson

This blueline remains incredibly deep and well-rounded. I’ve promoted Dahlin to the top pair over Hedman. The latter has battled an injury this season with the Tampa Bay Lightning and is averaging this lowest ice time in 12 years. The fresher-legged Dahlin can handle the harder matchups alongside shutdown maven Brodin.

Biggest flex: Whoa, no Mattias Ekholm? I thought long and hard about this one. But Ekholm slid down the depth chart at the 4 Nations and spoke out about not liking his deployment, which could’ve hurt his chances at getting named for the Olympics. Edvinsson is like a younger, higher-upside Ekholm in many ways, blessed with the same huge frame and long reach but with more potential as a puck-mover. Edvinsson and Moritz Seider have been awesome when paired together with the Detroit Red Wings this season. Edvinsson could be a difference maker if called into duty.

Toughest cut: It was difficult to leave Ekholm, a top-pair blueliner on the Edmonton Oilers, off this team, but my gut said it’s time for Edvinsson’s shot. I’m also short a right-handed defenseman and could’ve considered Adam Larsson over Hampus Lindholm.

Also considered: Mattias Ekholm, Adam Larsson, Marcus Pettersson, Philip Broberg, Rasmus Sandin, Oliver Ekman-Larsson

DEFENSEMEN (8) – Uffe Bodin’s picks

OUT: Adam Larsson
IN: Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Not a whole lot has changed here. ‘OEL’ has been better than expected with the Toronto Maple Leafs and makes my squad slightly ahead of Adam Larsson. The problem is that there are only two right-shooting defensemen left in Karlsson and Andersson. Fortunately, Brodin is used to playing on his weak side and usually does a good job there.

Biggest flex: Karlsson seems to have found the fountain of youth and has looked much more solid to start the season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Him next to defensive stalwart Gustav Forsling feels like the perfect match in theory.

Toughest cut: Larsson is a solid, physical defenseman who plays a simple game. But I think the bigger loss here is Mattias Ekholm. While neither he nor the Oilers have started the season particularly well, his honest comments about his role at the 4 Nations might be a bigger issue. I’m not sure things have been patched up between him and head coach Sam Hallam.

Also considered: Mattias Ekholm, Simon Edvinsson, Philip Broberg.

GOALTENDERS (3) – Matt Larkin’s picks

None of Sweden’s projected netminders has played particularly well so far this season. They also haven’t separated from each other, meaning the starting gig could truly still be an open competition. Gustavsson has been the strongest of the three, but he’s still been average at best and outplayed by his own Minnesota Wild platoon mate.

Biggest flex: None. My goalie depth chart is unchanged from my previous projection.

Toughest cut: Speaking of Gustavsson’s teammate: Jesper Wallstedt has been the best Swedish goaltender this year. The former top prospect seems to have recaptured his confidence. The sample size of excellence remains small, though, so he’ll have to continue standing on his head for another month if he’s to push any of the top three out.

Also considered: Jesper Wallstedt, Arvid Soderblom

GOALTENDERS (3) – Uffe Bodin’s picks

I’m sticking with these three, but in all honesty, none of them has impressed during the first month of the season. The good thing is that they are three fairly even goalies with upside, so it should be a safe bet that at least one of them catches fire before the Olympics. Right now, it’s just hard to figure out who should start, who should back up, and who should be in the stands.

Biggest flex: No one, at the moment.

Toughest cut:  Jesper Wallstedt has been really solid for the Wild lately, but the sample size is way too small to draw any major conclusions from. Samuel Ersson hasn’t really done anything to put pressure on the three ahead of him, and while Arvid Söderblom has looked good for the Chicago Blackhawks, that’s in a backup role.

Also considered: Jesper Wallstedt, Arvid Söderblom, Samuel Ersson, Anton Forsberg