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Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Finland forward Joel Armia (40) skates with the puck past Team Canada defenseman Devon Toews (5) during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Projecting Finland's 2026 Olympic Roster

Originally posted on Breakaway on SI | By Jacob Punturi | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 7:38 AM ET

If any country outside of the top three hockey powerhouses (Canada, Sweden, the United States) is going to walk away from the 2026 Winter Olympic Games with the gold medal, it’s Finland. The 2022 gold medal winners are hoping to repeat at the Milano-Cortiva games and continue holding to their second place spot on the International Ice Hockey Federation’s world rankings.

The good news for Finland is they have access to NHL players for the first time in over a decade. The Finnish pipeline to the NHL has exploded in that time, giving the Finns plenty of talent to sift through to put together their 25-man roster. The 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year gave a glimpse into what their roster could look like when the Olympics kick-off. With a few months remaining, here’s the latest projection for Finland’s roster at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

FORWARDS (14)

Sebastian Aho (CAR), Joel Armia (LAK), Aleksander Barkov (FLA), Mikael Granlund (ANA), Erik Haula (NSH), Roope Hintz (DAL), Kaapo Kakko (SEA), Jesperi Kotkaniemi (CAR), Patrik Laine (MTL), Artturi Lehkonen (COL), Anton Lundell (FLA), Eetu Luostarinen (FLA), Mikko Rantanen (DAL), Teuvo Teravainen (CHI)

Aleksander Barkov and Mikko Rantanen headline a balanced and two-way forward group. Along with Sebastian Aho and Roope Hintz, that’s four elite offensive players to build the top two lines around. The question is how can they find the right chemistry while keeping productive players in the bottom-six?

The bubble players are the top area to focus on. Players like Erik Haula and Jesperi Kotkaniemi could easily be swapped for forwards like Kasperi Kapanen of the Edmonton Oilers or Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matias Maccelli.

In the hunt: Kasperi Kapanen (EDM), Matias Maccelli (TOR), Joel Kiviranta (COL)

DEFENSEMEN (8)

Miro Heiskanen (DAL), Henri Jokiharju (BOS), Esa Lindell (DAL), Olli Maatta (UTA), Nikko Mikkola (FLA), Rasmus Ristolainen (PHI), Urho Vaakanainen (NYR), Juuso Valimaki (UTA)

The Finnish Mafia that is the Dallas Stars figures heavily on the blue line with Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell both expected to play heavy minutes in Italy. Urho Vaakanainen may feel like a surprise inclusion, but he looked greatly improved after his move to the New York Rangers. That’s enough to earn him a spot on the roster.

In the hunt: Jani Hakanpaa (Free Agent), Nikolas Matinpalo (OTT)

A pair of big, right-handed defenders could sneak onto the roster. Of the two possibilities, Ottawa Senators defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo is the likelier option.

GOALIES (3)

Kevin Lankinen (VAN), Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (BUF), Juuse Saros (NSH)

This trio should instill confidence into Finland. Led by Nashville Predators netminder Juuse Saros, the position is deep. Kevin Lankinen had an excellent 2024-2025 season with the Vancouver Canucks and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had an up-and-down year with the Buffalo Sabres but is stil their starter for the long haul.

In the hunt: Joonas Korpisalo (BOS), Joel Blomqvist (PIT), Leevi Merilainen (OTT)

Korpisalo is a proven veteran that could be too tempting to pass up. Aside from him, there are a pair of younger goalies who might perform well enough in the first half to warrant a roster spot.

This article first appeared on Breakaway on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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