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We’re less than a month away from the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will mark the first time the best hockey players on the planet will be competing in The Games since 2014. A number of NHL teams will be very well represented in Italy, but there are plenty of others that won’t be sending a sizeable delegation of players.
These are the NHL teams with the fewest number of players who were named to a 2026 Winter Olympics roster
Italy is currently the only one of the 12 teams that will be competing in the men’s hockey tournament that hasn’t unveiled its roster, but the host country is also the only one that hasn’t produced a single player who’s currently doing their thing in the NHL.
I took a look at the franchises that are sending the most players over to Italy after the rest of the rosters were finalized, and I figured I might as well take a look at the opposite end of the spectrum (every single team in the league has at least one player going to the Winter Olympics).
These teams might not have a ton to brag about, but there is a silver lining when you consider they also don’t have to be overly worried about potential injuries compared to the one leading the way.
Buffalo Sabres: 3

David Kirouac-Imagn Images
- Rasmus Dahlin (Sweden)
- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Finland)
- Tage Thompson (United States)
Detroit Red Wings: 3

David Kirouac-Imagn Images
- Dylan Larkin (United States)
- Lucas Raymond (Sweden)
- Moritz Seider (Germany)
New York Rangers: 3

Brad Penner-Imagn Images
- J.T. Miller (United States)
- Vincent Trocheck (United States)
- Mika Zibanejad (Sweden)
Seattle Kraken: 3

Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
- Philipp Grubauer (Germany)
- Kaapo Kakko (Finland)
- Eeli Tolvanen (Finland)
Toronto Maple Leafs: 3

David Kirouac-Imagn Images
- Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Sweden)
- Auston Matthews (United States)
- William Nylander (Sweden)
Washington Capitals: 3

David Kirouac-Imagn Images
- Martin Fehervary (Slovakia)
- Logan Thompson (Canada)
- Tom Wilson (Canada)
Calgary Flames: 2

David Kirouac-Imagn Images
- Rasmus Andersson (Sweden)
- Martin Pospisil (Slovakia)
Columbus Blue Jackets: 2

Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
- Elvis Merzlikins (Latvia)
- Zach Werenski (United States)
Edmonton Oilers: 2

Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
- Leon Draisaitl (Germany)
- Connor McDavid (Canada)
Chicago Blackhawks: 1

Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
- Teuvo Teravainen (Finland)
New York Islanders

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
- Bo Horvat (Canada)