Olympic men's hockey rundown: Previewing the top teams in the tournament

The men's Winter Olympics ice hockey tournament will kick off on Feb. 11 in Milan, Italy, with NHLers representing their countries for the first time since 2014. 

Twelve teams will compete for gold. However, there is a clear group of favorites among them. Let's preview the top teams in contention.

Canada

Best players: Connor McDavid, forward, Edmonton Oilers; Cale Makar, defenseman, Colorado Avalanche; Nathan MacKinnon, forward, Colorado Avalanche

Canada leads as the favorite of Group A with a star-studded roster. Featuring arguably the game's two best forwards in McDavid and MacKinnon and best defenseman in Makar, anything less than a spot in the final will be a letdown.

The big question? Goaltending. As long as likely starter Logan Thompson is consistent, their offense should lead them far in the tournament.

Prediction: Silver

Sweden

Best players: Lucas Raymond, forward, Detroit Red Wings; Rasmus Dahlin, defenseman, Buffalo Sabres; Gustav Forsling, defenseman, Florida Panthers

Sweden's strength is clearly from its blue line, which features defensive stars like Dahlin and Forsling. They'll face a tough test in Group B, which features international rival Finland and upstart Slovakia.

Raymond should be its go-to forward, but with some injuries, Sweden's depth is called into question. It wouldn't be surprising if it won gold, but a third- or fourth-place finish is more likely.

Prediction: Bronze

Czechia

Best players: David Pastrnak, forward, Boston Bruins; Martin Necas, forward, Colorado Avalanche; Karel Vejmelka, goaltender, Utah Mammoth

Out of the five favorites, it's Czechia who's the most undermanned. With just 14 NHL affiliated players, it will be motivated to upset some of the stronger countries.

Pastrnak is its best player and should form a winger duo with Necas on the top line. Vejmelka, second in the NHL in wins, will need to do some heavy lifting in net.

Prediction: Sixth place

Finland

Best players: Mikko Rantanen, forward, Dallas Stars; Miro Heiskanen, defenseman, Dallas Stars; Juuse Saros, goaltender, Nashville Predators

Finland has been incredibly successful in international hockey as of late and will look to continue that run in Milan. With Rantanen at forward, Heiskanen at defense and Saros in net, each position group is solidified with a star.

Their biggest issue will likely be defensive depth, so expect Heiskanen to play big minutes. Like Sweden, Finland isn't a clear favorite for gold, but a medal will be expected by Finnish fans.

Prediction: Fourth place

Slovakia

Best players: Juraj Slafkovsky, forward, Montreal Canadiens; Simon Nemec, defenseman, New Jersey Devils; Erik Cernak, defenseman, Tampa Bay Lightning

Although not a gold medal favorite, Slovakia, the bronze medal winner in 2022, will once again look to medal with a group of young stars trying to bring the country back to the top of international hockey.

Slafkovsky, who was named tournament MVP in 2022, and Nemec anchor the forward group and defense, respectively, and, along with veterans like Cernak (defense), the Slovaks will once again go for the upset in the Olympic tournament.

Prediction: Fifth place 

United States

Best players: Quinn Hughes, defenseman, Minnesota Wild; Zach Werenski, defenseman, Columbus Blue Jackets; Jack Eichel, forward, Vegas Golden Knights

Like Canada, the United States is full of stars, with Eichel leading the forwards as Team USA's top center. Former Norris Trophy winner Hughes, who missed the Four Nations tournament with an injury, and current Norris favorite Werenski will be top defensemen.

In net, the Americans will have to choose between former Vezina and Hart winner Connor Hellebuyck, who's struggled in playoff games, and Jake Oettinger, who's been excellent in the playoffs but sports just an .897 save percentage this year. However, with their incredible defensive core, they sit as one of the tournament's favorites

Prediction: Gold