2026 Winter Olympic Roster Projections: Team Finland

It has been over a decade since there has been a best-on-best international hockey tournament, really back to the 2014 Sochi Olympics. That changes this coming February at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy, with NHL players returning to battle for Olympic gold. We will mention that there has been recent concerns on the readiness of the venues. However, let’s not let that deter us from having some fun. In this edition of Winter Olympic Projections, we’ll be taking a look at who Finland could bring to Italy. Official rosters are due on New Years Eve. Rosters are filled out with three goaltenders and 22 skaters making up the full 25 man roster. In case you missed it, we already provided our estimate at Team Sweden.

Team Finland Winter Olympic Roster Projections

Like all the countries, the first six players have been previously revealed. For Finland they are Sebastian Aho (F), Aleksander Barkov (F), Miro Heiskanen (D), Esa Lindell (D), Mikko Rantanen (F), and Juuse Saros (G). We will note that Barkov’s participation is not guaranteed following surgery to repair his right knee in late September. Although there is some hope he can return in time.

Goaltenders

Historically, Finland has produced some of the best goaltenders in the world in recent times. With several starters in the NHL, there is a clear top three to bring for the Finns. Juuse Saros is the clear number one Finnish goaltender right now, and would almost certainly be the starter in a Gold Medal Game.

Juuse Saros (NAS)
Kevin Lankinen (VAN)
Joonas Korpisalo (BOS)

Kevin Lankinen is about to become the starter in Vancouver with the Thatcher Demko injury. Those words have been uttered before in recent years as Demko has started to develop injury concerns. Lankinen has filled in admirably in Demko’s absences and a worthy addition to Finland’s Olympic roster.

Defence Projections

Finland has the ability to bring one of the better defensive cores to the Olympics. They are being led by Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars. However, there’s only a few players at the NHL level, seven to be exact, who have played at least one game in the NHL this season. If any injures occur to any of the projected defenders, they’ll have to choose from the AHL, or other professional leagues to fill out the line-up.

Defence – Left – Right
Miro Heiskanen (DAL) – Henri Jokiharju (BOS)
Esa Lindell (DAL) – Niko Mikkola (FLA)
Olli Maata (UTA) – Urho Vaakanainen (NYR)
Nikolas Matinpalo (OTT) – Anttoni Honka (National League)

Teams typically bring eight defencemen to international events and will have to find someone outside the NHL for their last spot. Former third pick of the Carolina Hurricanes, Anttoni Honka has some international experience at the World Junior Championships. Furthermore, with his Swiss National League team in HC Ajoie, he is averaging 23:54 of ice-time with 15 points in 22 games.

Forwards

The forward group is by far the strongest group of the Finnish hockey system. With several options at the NHL level, there’s no shortage of options. With Mikko Rantanen leading the charge in points by a Finnish player with 26. He’s also been a selection for Finland since being added to the U16 national team.

Left Wing – Centre – Right Wing
Roope Hintz (DAL) – Sebastian Aho (CAR) – Mikko Rantanen (DAL)
Artturi Lekhonen (COL) – Aleksander Barkov (FLA) – Joel Armia (LAK)
Eetu Luostarinen (FLA) – Anton Lundell (FLA) – Teuvo Teravainen (CHI)
Erik Haula (NAS) – Oliver Kapanen (MTL) – Kasperi Kapanen (EDM)
Matias Maccelli (TOR) – Eeli Tolvanen (SEA)

Unfortunately an injury to Patrik Laine will likely see him miss these Olympic games. After getting surgery to repair the issue and expected to miss several months. However, it does mean that Oliver Kapanen, who has burst onto the scene in Montreal has put his name in the hat to be a part of the Olympic journey.

The Winter Olympic Games begin on February 11 in Italy. Finland has won a total of 16 medals, 4 of those being gold, including Olympic gold at the last Olympics in 2022. Finland begins their tournament on February 11 against Slovakia.