"For many professional hockey players, they have dreamed all their lives to be a part of an Olympic hockey team to play for their own country. Especially during the past decade when NHL players haven't participated in the tournament since 2014, many have been awaiting for the opportunity before their careers are done. Now with NHL participation back for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, the Toronto Maple Leafs are fortunate to have a few representatives for the event, with"
"Despite not being a sure thing as he once was earlier in his career, Morgan Rielly has still been a mainstay in the Leafs top pairing for the past decade in helping the team to nine consecutive playoff appearances. With the ability to move the puck and average more than 30 assists and 40 points a season, Rielly could have provided a veteran presence while chipping in with some offense in a bottom pairing on a stacked Canadian blueline."
"With many countries heading towards a youth movement when looking for players to represent them at the international level, it was quite surprising that the Americans ended up leaving Matthew Knies off of their Olympic roster. After all, Knies has grown his game considerably during the past couple of seasons, with now averaging almost a point a game while using his big frame to add a physic"
NHL participation returns for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, allowing several Toronto Maple Leafs to be considered for national teams. Auston Matthews will represent the United States, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson received a surprise invite to join William Nylander on Team Sweden. Several other Leafs were omitted from final rosters. Morgan Rielly was left off Team Canada despite a decade as a top-pairing defenseman averaging over 30 assists and 40 points per season. Matthew Knies was excluded from Team USA despite near-point-per-game production and a physical presence. Roster choices reflected youth trends, individual form, and team struggles.
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