Stock Watch: 7 Players to Track Before 2026 Olympics

Connor McDavid’s overtime heroics lifted Canada to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Team USA in Thursday night’s 4 Nations Face-Off championship game.

The tournament gave hockey fans an early preview of what to expect at the 2026 Olympics. Several players made strong cases for spots on their national teams – while others might have some work to do.

Dylan Larkin was absolutely flying for Team USA. The Detroit Red Wings captain showed why he’s one of the fastest players in hockey, creating chances all over the ice. He really made his mark in USA’s huge 3-1 win over Canada, scoring once and setting up another goal.

That kind of performance is exactly what Olympic coaches are looking for.

Another Red Wing turning heads was Sweden’s Lucas Raymond. The young winger was probably Sweden’s best player when they pushed Canada to overtime in their opener. Raymond picked up two assists and peppered the net with three shots in the 4-3 loss.

At just 21 years old, Raymond looks like he’ll be wearing the Three Crowns for years to come.

Between the pipes, Jordan Binnington made a strong case for Team Canada. The St. Louis Blues goalie, who’s been up and down in recent years, showed he can still deliver in big moments.

"He’s got that competitive fire we love to see," said one Team Canada scout. "When he’s on his game, he’s tough to beat."

The tournament served as an important measuring stick with the Olympics just two years away. While some players boosted their chances of making those rosters, others will need strong NHL seasons to stay in the mix.

NHL regular season action resumes Saturday, giving these players more chances to prove they belong on the international stage.