The 2025-26 NHL season is on pause, but hockey fans won’t be left without action. The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina will feature many of the league’s top players, marking the first time NHL talent has competed in the tournament since the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
This article dives into both player and team futures, offering insights on everything from assist leaders and top point scorers to gold medal and group stage win bets.
Gold Medal Winner
Team USA (+190) – FanDuel
The gold medal race realistically comes down to the two tournament favorites, the United States and Canada, as they clearly separate themselves from the rest of the field in overall talent. On paper, Canada holds the edge in both offensive firepower and blue line depth, but the United States counters with a significant advantage in net.
Canada’s goaltending situation comes with more uncertainty. Jordan Binnington has endured an up-and-down season in St. Louis, Logan Thompson missed time with an upper-body injury, and while Darcy Kuemper has been steady, he does not provide the same ceiling as the American options. Team USA, on the other hand, can lean on an elite trio in Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman, any of whom are capable of stealing games in a short tournament format.
Motivation also factors heavily into this matchup. The United States came up short against Canada in last year’s 4 Nations Face Off, and that result should fuel an added sense of urgency and hunger as they look to flip the script on the biggest stage.
Group Stage Wins
[Best Bet] Team Germany over 1.5 Wins (-105) – FanDuel
Germany finds itself in Group C alongside the United States, Denmark, and Latvia. The matchup against the United States is the most likely loss on the schedule, but Germany is well positioned in its remaining two group games against Denmark and Latvia. In both of those matchups, Germany is expected to be a heavy favorite, currently sitting around -270 on the moneyline against Denmark and likely approaching -500 against Latvia.
This roster has legitimate upside, featuring several impact NHL players, strong defensive structure, and stability in goal. Philipp Grubauer is a major factor as well, ranking 11th in the NHL in goals saved above expected, giving Germany a reliable presence between the pipes.
Ultimately, this wager likely comes down to the opening game against Denmark. A win there would put Germany firmly on track to clear 1.5 group stage wins and potentially position themselves to make noise in the knockout rounds.
Tournament Points
Connor McDavid over 8.5 Points (-132) – FanDuel
Connor McDavid continues to operate on a different level than the rest of the hockey world. He currently leads the NHL in points with 96 (34 goals, 62 assists) through 55 games, averaging an absurd 1.66 points per game. In last year’s 4 Nations Face Off, McDavid posted five points in four games, good for 1.5 points per game in an international setting. Canada is guaranteed three group stage games and, as the tournament favorite, is well positioned to advance through the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final, giving McDavid a realistic path to six games played. The group stage matchups against Switzerland, Czechia, and France are especially favorable, with France entering as the last team to qualify. A multi point performance in that matchup feels likely, and McDavid has the upside to post multiple points in nearly every game he plays. When the stage is biggest, the best player in the world usually delivers, and this sets up as another dominant tournament for him.
Jake Guentzel over 5.5 Points (-140) – DraftKings
Jake Guentzel has been quietly excellent this season, recording 60 points (26 goals, 34 assists) in 55 games, averaging just over a point per game. He also produced at a similar rate in last year’s 4 Nations Face Off, tallying four points in four games. Guentzel is expected to skate on Team USA’s top line alongside Auston Matthews and Matt Boldy, while also seeing time on the top power play unit. The United States, the second favorite to win the tournament, is in line for up to six games if they advance as expected. Their group stage schedule against Germany, Latvia, and Denmark is favorable, and the U.S. should control play in all three matchups. With the offensive firepower in the American top six, Guentzel is well-positioned to be part of multiple scoring opportunities and clear this number with room to spare.
Rasmus Dahlin over 4.5 Points (-130) – DraftKings
Rasmus Dahlin has been a driving force for a Buffalo Sabres team pushing toward the playoffs, posting 48 points (11 goals, 37 assists) in 53 games this season. He will anchor Sweden’s top defensive pairing and quarterback the first power play unit, ensuring heavy ice time in all situations. Dahlin’s ability to generate offense from the blue line makes him a key catalyst for Sweden, particularly on the man advantage. With his role and usage, he should be consistently involved in scoring plays throughout the tournament, making the over on 4.5 points a strong look.
Team Top Point Scorer – Germany
Tim Stützle (+310) – DraftKings
JJ Peterka (+1000) – DraftKings
Leon Draisaitl is the rightful favorite in this market at -120, as he is clearly the best player on Germany’s roster and the offensive focal point. That said, there is value to be found by pivoting away from the favorite. Tim Stützle and JJ Peterka both stand out as intriguing alternatives at +310 and 10 to 1, respectively.
Draisaitl is expected to center Germany’s top line alongside Lukas Reichel and Dominik Kahun, a solid but not overwhelming supporting cast. Germany’s second line, featuring Stützle, Peterka, and Wojciech Stachowiak, can reasonably be argued to be just as dangerous, if not more so, in terms of overall skill and offensive upside.
Importantly, Stützle and Peterka will join Draisaitl on Germany’s top power play unit, meaning they should be involved in nearly every man advantage goal Germany scores. This creates a realistic path for either player to match or exceed Draisaitl’s production, especially if the second line drives play at even strength. Ultimately, this is a bet on Germany’s secondary scoring outperforming the top line, with Stützle and Peterka positioned to capitalize if that scenario plays out.
Team Top Point Scorer – Switzerland
Nico Hischier (+275) – DraftKings
Kevin Fiala (+300) – DraftKings
Switzerland may not boast one of the deepest or most talented rosters in the Olympic field, but they are far from outmatched. When it comes to offensive firepower, everything starts with Nico Hischier and Kevin Fiala. These two form Switzerland’s top line and also skate together on the first power play unit, firmly establishing them as the engines of this offense.
Hischier and Fiala are clearly the most offensively gifted players on the roster, and with their shared even strength and power play roles, they are positioned to be involved in the majority of Switzerland’s scoring. Given that setup, it would be a surprise if the team’s top point scorer came from anywhere else. This market essentially comes down to which of these two stars capitalizes most consistently throughout the tournament.
Tournament Assist Leader
Cale Makar (+1000) – DraftKings
Cale Makar has been one of the premier defensemen in the NHL over the past several seasons, and his assist upside in this tournament stands out immediately. He ranks second among NHL defensemen in assists this season and sits 15th overall across the league. Makar should log massive minutes as part of Canada’s top defensive pairing and quarterback the first power play unit. Canada also benefits from a favorable group stage draw against Switzerland, Czechia, and France, giving Makar plenty of opportunities to rack up assists early and often. If Canada makes a deep run, his role and ice time set him up well to carry that production into the elimination rounds.
Macklin Celebrini (+1600) – DraftKings
Macklin Celebrini is expected to skate on Canada’s top line alongside Connor McDavid and Tom Wilson, which immediately puts him in an ideal position to pile up assists. While McDavid is widely known as an elite playmaker, we have seen him shift into a more aggressive scoring role in high leverage moments, most recently during the Stanley Cup Final and the 4 Nations Face Off. That dynamic could open the door for Celebrini to focus more on distribution, especially in his first appearance representing Team Canada. Celebrini has proven he can score, but this setup suggests he may lean into creating chances for his veteran linemates. He is also projected to see time on the second power play unit, adding another path to assist production.
Zach Werenski (+2500) – DraftKings
At 25 to 1, Zach Werenski offers some of the best value on the board in the assist leader market. Werenski should play heavy minutes throughout the tournament and has already shown he can thrive in this type of international setting, leading last year’s 4 Nations Face Off in assists with six. This season, he ranks third among NHL defensemen in assists and 13th overall across the league. With his ability to move the puck, jump into the rush, and contribute on the power play, Werenski has a realistic path to finishing near the top of the assist leaderboard if the United States advances deep into the tournament.
Best of luck, and as always, you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting. Any feedback, whether positive or negative, is always encouraged.
