The 2026 Winter Olympics are top of mind this week after the qualifying teams all shared their first six players for the roster. Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Jonas Siegenthaler all made their roster for Switzerland, while Jesper Bratt got snubbed from the Sweden roster. Jack Hughes was left off the American top six, but that was expected. The Devils are going to be well represented once full rosters are named for the Winter Olympics.
And now, we’re learning when those Devils players will take the ice. When Bratt is eventually named to Sweden’s roster, he will take the ice for the first time on Wednesday, February 11th at 3:10 pm EST. He takes on the hosts, with a likely unmatched but motivated Italian team. The Switzerland Devils take on France in their first game. Puck drop is the next day, Thursday, February 12th at 6:10 in the morning on the East Coast. We might watch the highlights for Nico Hischier’s first Olympic action.
Team USA takes the ice at normal business hours, with a 3:10 pm puck drop time. Not only do we hope to see Jack Hughes there, but we hope Luke Hughes also grows to be worthy of a spot. He has an outside chance because of his skill it could be a way to market the three Hughes brothers together for the first time.
It also might be a sign of things to come, but that’s a conversation for another day. If the Hughes brothers are together in Italy, it will be must-see TV. We’re not 0-2 to connect Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes in a professional setting. The Devils' star missed the 2023 All-Star Game with an injury, and Quinn Hughes missed the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year with his own injury.
Hopefully, we will see three healthy Hughes boys in Italy next February.
However, they aren’t kicking things off. The very first game of the tournament is on Wednesday, February 11th at 10:40 am EST. It is a showcase of Finland and Slovakia. We know that Devils' young defenseman Simon Nemec will make the roster. He was already named as part of the team’s first six.
He could face off against his teammate. Right now, Erik Haula is expected to make Finland’s roster. However, he’s at best on the bubble after how he played last season. He did decently well at the 4 Nations, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Haula is replaced by a younger player.
As fun as the 4 Nations Face-Off was last season, it won’t compare to the Olympics. Here, we get all of the best on best (outside of the Russian players). The Devils’ best are going, as well. Then, on Sunday, February 22nd at 7:40 am EST, we learn who will win the gold medal.
Read the full Olympic men's hockey schedule on NHL.com.