This winter, the hockey gods have blessed fans with what they've been begging for since 2014: NHL players competing at the Olympics. And with the return of the NHL comes the fascinating storyline of superstars getting their very first shot to go for gold.

So without further ado, here are the Top 10 first-time Olympians in Men's Hockey.

(Statistics courtesy of Frozen Tools and current to the evening of February 15, 2026)

10.   Moritz Seider, D, Team Germany
NHL Career: 386 GP, 36 G, 182 A, 218 P
2026 Olympics: 3 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 P

The Olympics are the perfect stage for Seider to show the world what "munching minutes" looks like. As the only NHLer on Germany's blueline, the team needs Seider in every situation – against every top line, playing heavy, difficult minutes. Even when he isn't scoring, Seider stabilizes breakouts and keeps shifts from spiralling. If Germany pulls off a miracle at the Games, there's no doubt Seider would be leading the way.

9.   Tage Thompson, C/RW, Team USA
NHL Career: 505 GP, 206 G, 178 A, 384 P
2026 Olympics: 3 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 2 P

Thompson might be the most "Olympics-built" forward on Team USA's star-studded roster. In a tournament where games tighten up and chances are limited, Thompson's size and finishing ability make him an invaluable asset. He's not just a shooter, either – Thompson can distribute the puck, extend possessions, and force defenders to make mistakes with elite puck handling. If he finds even a shred of daylight, Thompson is the type of player who can break open a game – and a tournament – in an instant.

8.   Quinn Hughes, D, Team USA
NHL Career: 485 GP, 64 G, 402 A, 466 P
2026 Olympics: 3 GP, 0 G, 4 A, 4 P

One of the NHL's pre-eminent defencemen has descended upon Milan. With an elite offensive toolkit, Hughes can escape pressure, exit zones, and turn broken plays into scoring opportunities like few others. And through three games, his Olympic debut has looked exactly as expected: high involvement, quick decisions, and steady production. Team USA's blueline is easily the deepest in the tournament, but Hughes stands out among the rest.

7.   Auston Matthews, C, Team USA
NHL Career: 680 GP, 427 G, 348 A, 775 P
2026 Olympics: 3 GP, 3 G, 2 A, 5 P

As arguably the NHL's most revered goalscorer, Matthews is the ultimate Olympic weapon. Even when he isn't scoring, Papi changes how opponents defend with his lightning-quick release and incredible deceptiveness. Team USA has plenty of skill, but the captain is the finisher who makes everything click.

6.   David Pastrnak, RW, Team Czechia
NHL Career: 808 GP, 413 G, 491 A, 904 P
2026 Olympics: 3 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 P

Pastrnak is one of the most dangerous pure scorers in the world, and Czechia's roster is built around him. Olympic hockey is about capitalizing on opportunities, and Pasta is the type of player who finishes at a superstar level. His Olympic debut has been long overdue, but he's already doing what he always does: creating offence, forcing adjustments, and producing results. If Czechia pushes into the medal round, it will likely be a product of Pastrnak's ability to take over.

5.   Macklin Celebrini, C, Team Canada
NHL Career: 125 GP, 53 G, 91 A, 144 P
2026 Olympics: 3 GP, 4 G, 2 A, 6 P

A teenager making Team Canada at a true best-on-best Olympics is almost unheard of, which speaks volumes about sophomore phenom Macklin Celebrini. The talent is obvious, but equally impressive is the speed at which the 19-year-old processes the game. He already looks comfortable at NHL speed, and in his Olympic debut he's produced right away with several meaningful goals. On Canada's loaded roster, Celebrini hasn't only held his own – he's led the charge.

4.   Leon Draisaitl, C/LW, Team Germany
NHL Career: 845 GP, 428 G, 608 A, 1,036 P
2026 Olympics: 3 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 P

As one of the most dominant offensive forces in the NHL, it's safe to assume Team Germany is thankful to have Draisaitl sporting the black eagle on the Olympic stage for the first time. His game translates perfectly to Olympic hockey because he can use his strength, puck protection, and elite passing to create offence when space is at a premium. Despite limited NHL talent on Germany's roster, the team is a darkhorse medal contender thanks to Draisaitl's knack for manufacturing goals when it matters most.

3.   Cale Makar, D, Team Canada
NHL Career: 450 GP, 131 G, 354 A, 485 P
2026 Olympics: 3 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 P

Regardless of where he's playing, Makar makes hockey look unfair. International play rewards skating and transition, and no defenceman blends those traits more cleanly than #8. He's a one-man breakout, an exemplary powerplay quarterback, and a legitimate scoring threat all at once. His Olympic debut has gone exactly as expected, marked by extraordinary puck movement, clean distribution, and consistent production. Despite Canada's absurdly deep roster, Makar still feels like the ultimate cheat code.

2.   Nathan Mackinnon, C, Team Canada
NHL Career: 925 GP, 407 G, 701 A, 1,108 P
2026 Olympics: 3 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 5 P

MacKinnon has waited a long time for his Olympic moment, and he hasn't wasted a second. His game is built for high-leverage hockey: explosive straight-line speed, spectacular shiftiness, and remarkable stickhandling that forces mistakes from opponents. Nate Dogg has already imposed himself in Milan – and in all likelihood, the best is yet to come.

1.   Connor McDavid, C, Team Canada
NHL Career: 770 GP, 395 G, 783 A, 1,178 P
2026 Olympics: 3 GP, 2 G, 7 A, 9 P

The best player in the universe is finally playing in his first Olympics, and it's looked like a match made in heaven. Since the opening puck drop, McDavid has produced at an historic pace while controlling games whenever he's on the ice. Every time he touches the puck, his opponents' entire defensive structure shifts, and that gravitational pull is precisely what separates stars, from superstars, from Connor McJesus.

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That's all for this week! Follow me on X @SmoothE27 for more fantasy hockey content and analysis, and feel free to DM me with any questions about your team.

Stay tuned for the next Top 10 on Monday, February 23. Have a great week everyone!