<p>Final preliminary&nbsp;Olympic rosters&nbsp;of 22 skaters and three goalies must be submitted by Dec. 31 – so there’s plenty of time to go before important decisions need to be made.</p>



<p>Over the past few months, we have examined projected rosters for the 2026 Winter Olympics. You have the obvious contenders, like <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-milan-olympics-nhl-early-team-canada-roster-lineup-projections-predictions">Canada</a>, <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-milan-olympics-nhl-early-team-usa-roster-lineup-projections-predictions">USA</a> and <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-milan-olympics-nhl-early-team-sweden-roster-lineup-projections-predictions">Sweden</a>, the 2024 World Champions from <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-olympics-early-team-czechia-roster-projections-predictions">Czechia</a> and the defending Olympic gold medalists from <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-milan-olympics-nhl-early-team-finland-roster-lineup-projections-predictions">Finland</a>.</p>



<p>But what about the rest of the crop? We already know the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-olympic-mens-hockey-rosters-first-six-players-analysis-canada-usa">first six players of all 12 teams</a> (with Finland needing to find a replacement for Aleksander Barkov), but those are the easy picks. Over the next few months, every team will be looking to find the right guys to challenge for gold, using various tournaments, league events, and more to finalize their teams.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="133"></div>



<p>Here’s a look at the seven remaining rosters we haven’t projected on Daily Faceoff so far this year:</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Denmark</h2>



<p>Nick Olesen – Lars Eller – Nikolaj Ehlers<br>Joachim Blichfield – Alexander True – Oliver Bjorkstrand<br>Patrick Russell – Oscar Fisker Mølgaard – Jonas Rondbjerg<br>Mikkel Aagaard – Chrstian Wejse – Nicklas Jensen<br>Nicolai Meyer, Frederik Storm</p>



<p>Matias Lassen – Philip Bruggisser<br>Nicholas B. Jensen – Oliver Larsen<br>Oliver Lauridsen – Markus Lauridsen<br>Anders Koch – Jesper Jensen Aabo</p>



<p>Frederik Andersen<br>Frederik Dichow<br>Mads Sogaard</p>



<p>The Danes will be flying high from their shocking fourth-place finish at the 2025 World Championship, highlighted by their playoff victory over Canada. The breakout tournament from Nick Olesen will likely pin him alongside top Danish forward Nikolaj Ehlers and NHL veteran Lars Eller. </p>



<p>From there, this is one of the deepest teams Denmark has ever put together. It’s not a great blueline, but both Freddies – Andersen and Dichow – are capable of stealing games in net. Oscar Fisker Mølgaard as a third-line center would be huge, too – he’ll likely be the No. 1 come 2030. Like many other teams on this list, the Danes will rely on established chemistry, which is why the result at the World Championship was so crucial.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="199"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">France</h2>



<p>Alexandre Texier – Pierre-Edouard Bellemare –&nbsp;Jordan Perret<br>Sebastian Da Costa – Louis Boudoin – Pierrick Dube<br>Tim Bozon – Nicolas Ritz –&nbsp;Kevin Bozon<br>Damien Fleury –&nbsp;Charles Bertrand – Sacha Treille<br>Baptiste Bruche, Anthony Rech</p>



<p>Hugo Gallet –&nbsp;Yohann Auvitu<br>Jules Boscq – Pierre Crinon<br>Kevin Spinozzi – Vincent Llorca<br>Enzo Guebey – Florian Chakiachvili</p>



<p>Antoine Keller<br>Quentin Papillon<br>Julian Junca</p>



<p>This is it: this is the grand finale for Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. The long-time NHLer will turn 41 shortly after the Olympics and then call it quits at the end of his time in Switzerland. He has been a fixture on the French national team for decades, having first played in an Olympic qualification tournament in 2004, in an attempt to help France qualify for the 2006 Winter Games. This will be his first actual Olympic tournament, though, with France taking advantage of Russia’s removal from the event.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="137"></div>



<p>Beyond that, this won’t be a deep team. Alexandre Texier, a <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025-2026-nhl-team-preview-st-louis-blues">St. Louis Blues</a> forward, is the lone NHLer on the team. Antoine Keller, a <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/washington-capitals/line-combinations">Washington Capitals</a> prospect, will look to be the team’s No. 1 goaltender, but veteran Quentin Papillon will have other plans. Sebastian Da Costa and Tim Bozon are the other forwards with NHL ties, and they’ll be counted on. France has decent shutdown defender options, but they’re going to be <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/schedule-2026-winter-olympic-mens-womens-hockey-tournaments-unveiled-nhl-pwhl">overworked in Group A.</a></p>



<p>Notably, France is the only Division IA World Championship team participating in this tournament.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Germany</h2>



<p>Dominik Kahun –&nbsp;Leon Draisaitl – JJ Peterka<br>Lukas Reichel – Tim Stutzle – Leo Pfoderl<br>Wojciech Stachowiak – Nico Sturm – Yasin Ehliz<br>Josh Samanski – Marc Michaelis – Justin Schutz<br>Frederik Tiffels, Alexander Ehl</p>



<p>Maksymilian Szuber – Moritz Seider <br>Jonas Muller – Kai Wissman<br>Lukas Kalble – Leon Huttl<br>Moritz Muller – Leon Gawanke</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="3" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="141"></div>



<p>Philipp Grubauer<br>Mathias Niederberger<br>Tobias Ancicka</p>



<p>This German team means business. Leon Draisaitl? Check. Moritz Seider? You bet. Tim Stutzle? Sign us up. It’s a legit team with some decent options at every position, and with recent success on the national team level. There are a few carryovers from the 2018 Olympic team that nearly won gold, as well as a few others who took home silver at the 2023 World Championship. If all goes well, Germany could <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-olympic-mens-hockey-rosters-first-six-players-analysis-canada-usa">secure second place in Group C </a>behind the United States.</p>



<p>Up front, Germany has never been more dangerous. Draisaitl is one of the best players in the world and easily the biggest superstar Germany has ever had. Tim Stutzle would be the No. 1 center on just about every other team listed here, but he’ll be the ultimate No. 2 instead. JJ Peterka and Dominik Kahun are proven performers internationally and will be given every opportunity to do the same again on the biggest stage. I like Josh Samanski as a fourth-liner – he might see some time in Edmonton this year as a fourth-liner, and he’d be great in the same role again this year. Seider is the shining star on defense, but he’ll need to carry a lot of the slack in front of the goaltending crop Germany has. Overall, it’s a solid team, and their warts are nowhere near as bad as others listed here are.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="4" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="235"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Italy</h2>



<p>Mikael Frycklund –&nbsp;Daniel Mantenuto –&nbsp;Tommy Purdeller<br>Alex Ierullo –&nbsp;Bryce Misley – Daniel Tedesco<br>Dustin Gazley – Diego Kostner – Marco Zanetti<br>Daniel Catenacci – Daniel Frank – Alex Petan<br>Luca Frigo, Matthias Mantinger</p>



<p>Thomas Larkin – Alex Trivellato<br>Luca Zanatta –&nbsp;Daniel Glira<br>Greg DiTomaso – Phil Pietroniro<br>Dylan Di Perna – Jason Seed</p>



<p>Davide Fadani<br>Damian Clara<br>Jacob Smith</p>



<p>The hosts will want to put on a show, just like they did when they won the Division IA title a few months back. As expected, they have a number of dual citizens, including former <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025-2026-nhl-team-preview-minnesota-wild-kaprizov-season-predictions-breakdown-roster-lineup">Minnesota Wild </a>prospect Bryce Misley and national team standouts Greg DiTomaso and Thomas Larkin. Italy’s goaltending will be fascinating to watch. Davide Fagani has looked solid in the top league in Switzerland this year, marking his first real action in the top circuit. He’ll be joined by <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025-26-nhl-team-preview-prediction-anaheim-ducks">Anaheim Ducks</a> hopeful Damian Clara, who became the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/ducks-sign-goalie-damian-clara-to-entry-level-contract">first Italian-born goaltender drafted to the NHL.</a></p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="5" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="147"></div>



<p>Who’ll do the scoring? Daniel Tedesco was excellent at the DIA World Championship, with Misley and Tommy Purdeller looking stout, as well. Daniel Mantenuto had a quieter tournament, but he is typically a solid performer, as is Diego Kostner. If the Italians are going to make noise, though, they’ll need their blueliners like DiTomaso and Phil Pietroniro to chip in with the puck, as well.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Latvia</h2>



<p>Rudolfs Balcers – Dans Locmelis – Eduards Tralmaks<br>Martins Dzierkals – Teddy Blugers – Sandis Vilmanis<br>Rihards Bukarts – Rodrigo Abols – Kaspars Daugavins<br>Renars Krastenbergs – Zemgus Girgensons – Anri Ravinskis<br>Haralds Egle, Miks Indrasis</p>



<p>Uvis Balinskis – Ralfs Freibergs<br>Kristians Rubins – Roberts Mamcics<br>Kristaps Zile – Janis Jaks<br>Tumanovs – Markuss Komuls</p>



<p>Elvis Merzlikins<br>Artus Silovs<br>Kristers Gudlevskis</p>



<p>Unlike Germany, Switzerland or Slovakia, the Latvians don’t have “the guy” who can take over offensively and win a game or two. That being said, they’ve got loads of chemistry thanks to icing a very similar lineup throughout various national team tournaments each year and a few players with NHL experience.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="6" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="168"></div>



<p>Goaltending is the team’s biggest strength, which can be interpreted as both a positive and a negative aspect. Elvis Merzlikins is coming off a rough year in Columbus but has typically put up a fight internationally. If he falters early, they could go with Arturs Silovs, who won top goalie honors at the 2023 World Championship.</p>



<p>Up front, Dans Locmelis is one of Boston’s top prospects and should get plenty of playing time – especially if he thrives like he did at the 2025 World Championship. Eduards Tralmaks was particularly good in that tournament and should get plenty of opportunities to play in all situations. Vancouver Canucks forward Teddy Blugers is the most seasoned NHL forward, with 418 games of experience, and he has typically performed well for his country (albeit in limited playing time). Latvia doesn’t feature much skill, but they’ll grind you down with solid defending – but just how far will that take them?</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="7" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="157"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Slovakia</h2>



<p>Peter Cehlarik – Martin Pospisil – Juraj Slafkovsky<br>Tomas Tatar – Dalibor Dvorsky – Oliver Okuliar<br>Pavol Regenda – Adam Sykora – Jakub Demek <br>Robert Lantosi –&nbsp;Samuel Honzek –&nbsp;Marek Hrivik<br>Milos Roman, Kristian Pospisil</p>



<p>Erik Cernak – Simon Nemec<br>Martin Fehervary – Patrik Koch<br>Samuel Knazko – Peter Ceresenak<br>Michal Ivan – Martin Gernat</p>



<p>Samuel Hlavaj<br>Adam Huska<br>Adam Gajan</p>



<p>The Slovaks didn’t have a single full-time NHL player on their roster at the 2025 World Championship, and they ultimately missed the playoffs. They will have some NHL representation in Italy, albeit not as extensive as they had when they pursued a medal in 2010. The Slovaks took home bronze in 2022, but it was the last tournament without NHLers. Fortunately, Juraj Slafkovsky is back – and if he can channel that dominant energy he had nearly four years ago, Slovakia should put up a fight. </p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="8" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="139"></div>



<p>Unfortunately, there isn’t much available beyond that point. Dalibor Dvorsky, Martin Pospisil, Adam Sykora, and Samuel Honzek are promising young forwards, but they’re nowhere at the level of Marian Gaborik, Pavol Demitra, Marian Hossa, Michal Handzus, or Richard Zednik in 2010, among others. Defensively, look for Erik Cernak and Martin Fehervary to carry the load, while Samuel Hlavaj will hope to steal a game or two in net. With no NHL goaltenders to choose from, though, it could get ugly. This isn’t a strong Slovak roster, but you can never truly count them out against the big dogs at any level.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Switzerland</h2>



<p>Kevin Fiala – Nico Hischier – Timo Meier<br>Nino Niederreiter – Pius Suter – Philipp Kurashev<br>Sven Andrighetto – Denis Malgin – Tyler Moy<br>Damial Riat – Simon Knak – Christoph Bertschy<br>Ken Jäger, Gaëtan Haas</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="9" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="133"></div>



<p>Roman Josi – Jonas Siegenthaler<br>JJ Moser – Lian Bichsel<br>Dean Kukan – Christian Marti<br>Michael Fora – Tim Berni</p>



<p>Leonardo Genoni<br>Akira Schmid<br>Reto Berra</p>



<p>No team punches about their perceived weight at the World Championship better than Switzerland. The team is fresh off consecutive second-place finishes, largely due to a combination of Kevin Fiala, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, Roman Josi, and Jonas Siegenthaler, among others (notably, Josi missed 2025 due to injury). However, it’s their non-NHL players that make this team deep. Denis Malgin and Sven Andrighetto, for example, were absolutely critical to Switzerland’s success back in May. The team’s fourth line is full of experienced players who know a thing or two about working their tails off. </p>



<p>Defensively, it’s still an NHL-dominated position, but Dean Kukan and Christian Marti are difficult to play against. In net, Leonardo Genoni should get the No. 1 job over Akira Schmid, even though the latter is an active NHLer. Genoni might not be a household name to NHL fans, but he has been a dominant force throughout his entire career in Europe. He proved that back in May, when he earned tournament MVP honors with four shutouts in seven games. He’s 38, but he’s showing few signs of slowing down. </p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="10" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="206"></div>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Recent posts from Steven Ellis</h2>



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<li><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nhl-draft-rankings-preseason-top-40-mckenna-verhoeff-lin-bjorck">2026 NHL Draft Rankings: Preseason top 40</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/top-20-nhl-affiliated-prospects-to-watch-in-the-ncaa-in-2025-26-martone-hagens-hutson-eiserman-hage">Top 20 NHL-affiliated prospects to watch in the NCAA in 2025-26</a></li>
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