Predicting Team Finland’s Roster for 2026 Olympics

Finland was the fourth country represented at the 4 Nations Face-Off back in February, and they appeared to be a step behind the other three. However, the intensity picks up in the Olympics, where things can change on a dime.

Team Finland finished fourth in the 4 Nations Face-Off, going 1-2-0 with their lone victory coming in overtime against Sweden. Besides that, they were blown out 6-1 by Team USA and lost 5-3 to Team Canada.

There is some Finnish pride, though, and the first six players named to the Olympic roster (Sebastian Aho, Aleksander Barkov, Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, Mikko Rantanen, and Juuse Saros) show their talent at each position.

Who will be joining them in Italy?

Let’s take a crack at predicting the full Team Finland roster for the 2026 Olympics.

Kevin Lankinen, Ukko-Pekka Luukonen, and Juuse Saros were the three goalies on Team Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and it would be shocking if anyone usurped them come the Olympics.

There are a few options, though, in case of injury or a horrific season for one of those three netminders.

Joonas Korpisalo is now a well-traveled veteran with a career .901 save percentage during his time with the Blue Jackets, Kings, Senators, and Bruins. He looked his best in a short stint with a strong Kings team, going 7-3-1 with a .921 SV% in 11 games. Perhaps he could repeat that behind Team Finland.

After that, you have guys like Ville Husso, Kaapo Kahkonen, and Justus Annunen. If they have to turn to any of those netminders, they’re finished.

Team Finland Goaltenders Prediction (3): Kevin Lankinen, Ukko-Pekka Luukonen, Juuse Saros*

Team Finland has a pair of Stars to anchor the blue line in Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell already named to the roster. That leaves six spots up for grabs for other defensemen.

Finland was a pretty thin land when it came to defensemen for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Due to various injuries — including Heiskanen –, they were forced to use Henri Jokiharju, Nikolas Matinpalo, Niko Mikkola, Olli Maatta, Urho Vaakanainen, and Juuse Valimaki, along with Lindell.

Rasmus Ristolainen was another defenseman lost to injury, and he’ll definitely be on the roster as long as he’s healthy.

Matinpalo and Vaakanainen are candidates to drop off the roster for the healthy Heiskanen and Ristolainen. The former has played most of his professional career outside the NHL, while the latter has established himself as an NHL defenseman over the last few seasons.

Team Finland Defensemen Prediction (8): Miro Heiskanen*, Henri Jokiharju, Esa Lindell*, Niko Mikkola, Olli Maata, Rasmus Ristolainen, Urho Vaakanainen, Juuso Valimaki

Forwards

Finnish forwards are few and far between in the NHL, with only 34 playing in at least one game last season. But they have a solid group up top and enough depth to grind out games if their defense and goaltending show up.

Team Finland’s three best forwards (Aho, Barkov, and Rantanen) have already been named to the team, and 10 other players joined them at the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Olympic roster could look extremely similar, with a player added and maybe a change or two.

Joel Armia, Mikael Granlund, Erik Haula, Roope Hintz, Kaapo Kakko, Patrik Laine, Artturi Lehkonen, Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, and Teuvo Teravainen were the 10 players, along with the three already named, on the team back in February.

A name not on that list is Eeli Tolvanen, who had the 10th-most points (35) among Finnish forwards last season. Nor is Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who was just behind him with 33 points.

Both Armia and Luostarinen had point totals in the 20s, but the veteran and Stanley Cup winner bring valuable experience to a tournament as important as the Olympics.

However, I’d expect Armia to be replaced with Tolvanen or Kotkaniemi in Italy. In fact, they can both make the roster since there were only 13 forwards at 4 Nations.

Team Finland Forwards Prediction (14): Sebastian Aho, Joel Armia, Mikael Granlund, Erik Haula, Roope Hintz, Kaapo Kakko, Patrik Laine, Artturi Lehkonen, Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, and Teuvo Teravainen