The Athletic Hockey Show – Men’s Olympic Hockey Preview (Part 1)

Date: February 9, 2026
Hosts: Max Boltman & Jesse Granger

Main Theme

This episode kicks off a two-part deep dive into the men’s Olympic hockey tournament in Milan, focusing on six of the top teams. Max and Jesse break down Team USA, Sweden, Czechia, Switzerland, Latvia, and Denmark, highlighting key roster decisions, strategies, player form, and matchups that could define the Games. Throughout, they emphasize roster strengths, potential X-factors, notable snubs, and the central role of goaltending in short tournaments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Team USA – A Golden Era & High Stakes

• Unprecedented Depth: USA enters Milan with arguably its most talented, NHL-heavy roster ever, closing the historical gap with Canada.
• Roster Scrutiny: Selection is contentious due to elite talent left off—Cole Caufield, Jason Robertson, Alex DeBrincat.
  • “Anytime Team USA doesn’t score enough… that’s the first place everyone is going to be talking about is the guys that they did not bring.” — Max (06:13)
• Line Combinations:
  • Jack Hughes on a presumptive 3rd line with Dylan Larkin and Tage Thompson, which surprised Jesse but could maximize Hughes’ offensive upside and shield defensive limitations (04:30).
  • The Eichel-Tkachuk brothers line is a favorite, expected to bring physicality, skill, and two-way ability (07:46, 08:46).
  • Fourth line options: Emphasis on deployment flexibility, e.g., Kyle Connor as “designated hitter” if goals are needed (10:41).
• Defensive Strength:
  • Deepest blue line in the tournament, with names like Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy, Slavin, Brock Faber, and debate over Jake Sanderson’s role (12:15).
  • “This Team USA for me has the best blue line in the tournament. And that goes back to... being able to win these games 2 to 1.” — Max (12:41)
• Goaltending Trio Discourse:
  • Connor Hellebuyck favored to start, but recent form/health is a concern; strong support from Jeremy Swayman (in hot form) and Jake Oettinger (14:45).
  • “If you’re not absolutely confident that Hellebuyck is locked in, you’ve got Jeremy Swayman... who is in peak form. So I think you can turn to him...” — Jesse (16:07)
• X-Factor: Many American top players are not at their absolute NHL peak coming in, which could slow their start (17:03). Can goaltending and defensive depth compensate?

Notable Quotes:

• “It may take some of the defensive responsibility off of him... maybe it allows him to be more offensive.” — Jesse on Jack Hughes (04:30)
• “If Bennington gives up four of them even, you’re probably going to lose that game...” — Max on vulnerability of Team Canada’s goaltending (19:06)

2. Sweden – Defense as Offense, Forwards in Transition

• Group Favorite: Likely to win their group, strong blue-line depth led by Rasmus Dahlin, Gustav Forsling, Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman (if healthy) (25:23).
• Blue Line Defines Identity: Strength in transition and defensive structure; might elevate less dynamic forward group (25:23, 26:24).
• Key Offensive Pieces:
  • Missing Leo Carlsson (would-be #1 center), so Joel Eriksson Ek becomes linchpin both offensively and defensively (27:25).
  • Dynamic wings: William Nylander, Jesper Bratt, Adrian Kempe, Filip Forsberg—a skilled but smaller forward corps.
  • Philip Forsberg, Lucas Raymond, and Elias Pettersson poised to break out; Mika Zibanejad brings tournament hunger (29:19, 30:19).
• Goaltending Choice: Deciding between veteran Jacob Markstrom (up-and-down) and more stable Filip Gustavsson, with the hosts favoring Gustavsson for consistency (31:56).
  • “Just stylistically and form, Gustafson’s in better form. I would go with him.” — Jesse (33:04)

Notable Quotes:

• “Sweden is built to win low-scoring games, the way kind of we talked about the U.S.” — Jesse (25:23)
• “[Philip Forsberg] is built for, like, we need a hero... create a goal. He can do that.” — Jesse (29:19)

3. Czechia – High-End Talent & Goaltending as Equalizer

• Goaltending Strength: Lukas Dostal and Karel Vejmelka are perhaps the hottest, most reliable duo in the tournament (33:14, 35:21).
  • “I may be more confident in their goaltending than I am the US goaltending.” — Jesse (35:21)
• Roster Overview:
  • NHL forwards: David Pastrnak (elite), Martin Necas, Pavel Zacha, Tomas Hertl, plus experienced European talent.
  • Blue line is thin, largely European — could lead to high shots against, but their goalies can steal games (35:50).
  • Strategy: Lean into their offensive talent and goaltending, embrace high-event games (36:50).
• Dark Horse Status: Most athletic survey respondents picked Czechia as the likely upset team in Milan.
  • Jesse has them as his bronze pick, possibly exceeding Finland and Sweden (38:24).

Notable Quotes:

• “If Dostal falters a little bit, they’ve got a great second option. I may be more confident in their goaltending than I am [in] the US goaltending.” — Jesse (35:21)
• “I just love that high-end talent. Necas has been so good for Colorado. He’s right there with Pastrnak... how much you’ve got to game plan for that guy up front.” — Jesse (37:41)

4. Switzerland – Quiet Depth and Defensive Spine

• Team Identity: Not a medal favorite, but not far off Czechia. Not as many stars, but more NHL depth and a strong defensive frame (41:44, 42:19).
• Key Players: Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, Kevin Fiala, Nino Niederreiter; Roman Josi and Jonas Siegenthaler on defense.
• Goaltending Weakness: Akira Schmid (VGK) in goal—capable, but not at the Czech/Swede/American level (42:38).
  • “Seems like a pain in the butt to play against... that is not a team that you look on your schedule and say, oh, we’re gonna get some goals in that.” — Jesse (43:25)
• Rock-Fight Potential: Built for grinding, low-scoring games against stronger teams (43:07).

5. Latvia – Stubborn, Physical, and Goaltending Upside

• Recent Track Record: Consistently punch above their weight (bronze at 2023 Worlds) (43:43).
• Roster: NHLers like Teddy Blueger, Zemgus Girgensons; big prospects like Albert Smit (44:54, 46:17).
• Goaltending: Elvis Merzlikins (hot and streaky), Arturs Silovs. Merzlikins is “built for heroics,” capable of backstopping an upset (44:54).
  • “It's not like he doesn't just want to win. He wants to be the reason his team won.” — Jesse (45:23)

6. Denmark – Long Shot with Familiar Names

• Core Pieces: Nikolaj Ehlers, Lars Eller, Freddie Andersen in net.
• Challenges: No NHL defensemen, Andersen in decline, but pride of representing Denmark boosts stakes (47:32, 48:38).
  • “I have a hard time finding a way for this team to upset some of these top countries that are stacked.” — Jesse (48:38)
• Likely Outcome: Unlikely to contend, but Ehlers/Eller will thrive in lead roles.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Olympic Anticipation:
  “We’ve been writing stories about possible line combinations for not just a year, it’s been 10 years... It already feels real to me. Just seeing the actual line combinations after a decade of projecting them.”
  — Jesse Granger (02:20)
• On the Eichel & Tkachuk Line:
  “I don’t know if there’s a line in the Olympics I love more than Jack Eichel between the Tkachuk brothers, it is such a perfect fit. Personality wise, it’s a perfect fit... I cannot imagine a better fit of two players to play alongside Jack Eichel.”
  — Jesse Granger (07:46)
• On Canadian Goaltending Risk:
  “If Bennington gives up four of them even, you’re probably going to lose that game.”
  — Max Boltman (19:06)
• On Czech Goaltending:
  “I may be more confident in their goaltending than I am the US goaltending. If you told me what country are you most confident will get great goaltending... I think it’s Czechia.”
  — Jesse Granger (35:21)
• On Switzerland:
  “They’re deeper than Czechia... they don’t have a guy as good as [Czechia’s stars], but they’ve got more NHL players on this roster.”
  — Jesse Granger (42:19)

Key Timestamps

• 01:55 – Introduction to Olympic Preview, Team selection approach
• 03:30 – Team USA’s roster building challenges & star snubs
• 04:30 – Jack Hughes’ line placement discussion
• 07:46 – Deep dive on the Jack Eichel-Tkachuk line
• 10:41 – Fourth-line construction and “DH” role for Kyle Connor
• 12:15–14:45 – USA’s blue line depth and goalie talk (Hellebuyck, Ottinger, Swayman)
• 17:03 – Team USA’s “not at peak form” storyline
• 19:06–21:14 – Canadian goaltending as a possible Achilles’ heel
• 24:22 – Start of Sweden segment: blue line overview and group analysis
• 26:24–29:56 – Swedish offensive drivers, Erik Karlsson, Headman, Forsberg, Eriksson Ek, Zibanejad
• 31:56 – Sweden’s goalie conundrum (Markstrom vs. Gustafsson)
• 33:14–38:24 – Czechia’s roster, goalie strength, and medal chances
• 41:44 – Switzerland’s “buzzsaw” build and strengths
• 43:43–46:17 – Latvia’s scrappy outlook; goalie strength (Merzlikins, Silovs)
• 47:32–48:38 – Denmark’s profile and the importance of Ehlers/Eller
• 49:45 – Final medal predictions from Jesse and Max
• 50:26 – MVP and best goalie picks

Medal & Awards Predictions

• Jesse Granger:

  • Gold: USA (“because of the goaltending and blue line”)
  • Silver: Canada
  • Bronze: Czechia
  • MVP: Jack Eichel (Team USA)
  • Best Goalie: Lukas Dostal (Czechia)

• Max Boltman:

  • Gold: Canada
  • Silver: USA
  • Bronze: Sweden
  • MVP: Nathan MacKinnon (Canada)
  • Best Goalie: Filip Gustavsson (Sweden)

Final Thoughts

The episode delivers a comprehensive, insightful preview of the key Olympic hockey nations, mixing roster analytics, recent form, chemistry, and tournament expectations. The hosts balance statistical takeaways with anecdotal and narrative perspectives, making this a lively and useful listen (or read) for both casual and diehard hockey fans. Look out for part two for coverage of Finland, Germany, and more.