It’s another installment of Mile High Pollster! There are eight different Avalanche players representing four different nations in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, and so this edition is all about the winter games! With Avalanche players among so many teams, who will Avs fans root for? How will the break affect the Avalanche season? […]
It’s another installment of Mile High Pollster! There are eight different Avalanche players representing four different nations in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, and so this edition is all about the winter games!
With Avalanche players among so many teams, who will Avs fans root for? How will the break affect the Avalanche season? Who will leave Italy as an international hockey legend and win the tournament’s MVP? Do Avs fans still want to root for Artturi Lehkonen, Mikko Rantanen, and Finland, or is it just too soon?
Let’s take a look!
Rooting interest
Team Canada is no easy choice for most Avalanche fans, with Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews representing the Maple Leaf. As the kids say, Brock Nelson will be wheezing his way around the ice for Team USA, and the Marty party is among Czechia’s best. Gabe Landeskog sustained a rib injury heading in, but is all set to captain the crown in Sweden, and last but definitely not least, Artturi Lehkonen and his good stick will accompany Joel Kiviranta for Team Finland.
One thing is for sure: Avalanche fans will have a vested interest in lots of these games in the preliminary rounds, but will have to pledge their allegiance once the elimination portion of the tournament begins.
For now, they are singing the Star Spangled Banner.
Team USA’s Brock Nelson had this to say ahead of tournament play in an article by Coby Maeir, “Anytime you get to represent your country, I think it’s a great honor.”
Avalanche focus
Obviously, not every member of the Avalanche will make the trip, and with that comes the age-old debate of rest or rust, but with a bit of a wrinkle this time.
Players not in the tournament will play the rest vs. rust game, but players participating will hope to stay healthy and lock in like it’s already hockey in June. For now, Avalanche fans see the opportunity for rest as the most likely help-or-hurt scenario for Colorado.
Jared Bednar told the Denver Gazette that he trusts his players, especially the ones who had injuries heading into the international tourney (Landeskog, Necas, and Toews), saying, “These guys are adults who can be trusted to make the right call. They’re also professional athletes who know their bodies and what they’re capable of.”
Chasing glory in Milan
Nathan MacKinnon is in a unique situation in that one of his bosses and fellow Avalanche legend Joe Sakic basically skated in his shoes when he led Team Canada to gold in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.
MacKinnon may make light of other personal achievements, but make no mistake: if he follows up his MVP performance at the 4 Nations Tournament with another MVP performance and a gold medal in 2026, it will be hard for him to downplay his excitement.
Could we hear a new rendition of a Bob Cole classic? “It is Nathan MacKinnon, scores, Naaathan MacKinnon.”
The Moose-sized elephant in the room
Team Finland was one of my favorite teams to root for as an underdog club that just plays hockey the right way. A part of that squad will be Lehky and Kivi, but you also have to talk about Mikko Rantanen, who has soured on plenty of Avalanche fans since last year’s elimination.
Still, Finland has as good a chance as any club, given the talent on its roster and a pure approach to hockey. Avalanche fans are clearly polarized on this matter, which should come as no surprise.
Let us know what your answers are in the comments, and be sure to follow us on X for future polls!
Category: General Sports
