Super 16: Keller, Bedard among Olympic hopefuls

The torch to start the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will be lit in 99 days.

The men's hockey tournament will begin soon after that, on Feb. 11, starting with the opening face-off between Slovakia and Finland.

With the NHL season well under way, the competition for Olympic roster spots is heating up and impacting the overall league standings on a nightly basis.

The 12 participating countries each named its first six players in June, but the next two months will decide many of the remaining spots up for grabs, with the NHL and NHL Players' Association expecting to send between 160-180 players to the Winter Olympics.

The Super 16 this week focuses on the many players who are either locks or candidates, even the longshots, to play in the Olympics.

To come up with the Super 16, the 15 voters first put together their own version of what they think the rankings should look like and a point total is assigned to each, with the team selected first given 16 points, second 15, third 14, and so on.

Here is the first Olympics edition of the weekly Super 16:

1. Vegas Golden Knights (6-1-3)

Total points: 224
Last week: No. 1

"The Golden Knights could be sending potentially nine players to the Olympics along with coach Bruce Cassidy, who is an assistant for Team Canada. Jack Eichel, the NHL's leading scorer with 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) is already on the U.S. roster as one of the original six players named. Defenseman Noah Hanifin played with Eichel for the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Hanifin, a strong candidate for the U.S. in the Olympics, has been out since sustaining an undisclosed injury on Oct. 8. Forwards Mitch Marner and Mark Stone, defenseman Shea Theodore and goalie Adin Hill all played for Canada at the 4 Nations. All could be on the Canadian Olympic team too. Stone had 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in six games before he was sidelined with an injury. Marner has 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in his first 10 games with the Golden Knights. Hill is out week to week with a lower-body injury. Forward William Karlsson (Sweden) and Tomas Hertl (Czechia) should be in the Olympics. Jonas Rondbjerg, a forward currently with Henderson of the American Hockey League, has already been named to Denmark's roster." -- Dan Rosen, senior writer

2. New Jersey Devils (8-2-0)

Total points: 220
Last week: No. 5

"The Devils have quite a few players already having secured spots for their respective countries in the Olympics, including forwards Nico Hischier, Timo Meier and defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler for Switzerland, forward Ondrej Palat (Czechia), and defenseman Simon Nemec (Slovakia). Forward Jesper Bratt, second on the Devils with 12 points (four goals, eight assists), is expected to play in his first Olympics with Sweden. The United States has plenty of talent to choose from, including center Jack Hughes, who should be a top candidate. Hughes leads New Jersey in goals (nine) and points (14) in 10 games." -- Mike G. Morreale, senior draft writer

3. Colorado Avalanche (6-1-4)

Total points: 216
Last week: No. 2

"There may not be another NHL club as well represented at the Olympics as the Avalanche. Forward Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar have already been named to Canada's roster. Martin Necas is already on Czechia's roster too. No shocker here, the three are tearing it up early, combining for 45 points (19 goals, 26 assists) in 11 games, sitting first, second and third atop Colorado's scoring chart. Captain Gabriel Landeskog is on Sweden's roster as one of the first six players named. Forward Artturi Lehkonen (Finland) and defenseman Devon Toews (Canada) have excellent chances to be there. Both played in the 4 Nations. So did U.S. forward Brock Nelson, though he went scoreless in four games at 4 Nations and has three points (two goals, one assist) this season." -- Paul Strizhevsky, NHL.com International staff writer

4. Utah Mammoth (8-3-0)

Total points: 172
Last week: No. 9

"Clayton Keller came into this season with 252 points (100 goals, 152 assists) in 241 games over the past three seasons, ranking him 16th in the NHL in that span and fifth among U.S.-born players, trailing only Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs (270), Jason Robertson of the Stars (269), J.T. Miller of the New York Rangers (255) and Matthew Tkachuk of the Panthers (254). The 27-year-old has continued his pace of more than a point-per-game with 12 (four goals, eight assists) through the first three weeks of this season and is making a strong case for a spot on Team USA after being left off the 4 Nations Face-Off team in February. In goal, Karel Vejmelka is putting together a solid bid to make Team Czechia after getting off to a 6-2-0 start." -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

5. Montreal Canadiens (8-3-0)

Total points: 161
Last week: No. 7

"The Canadiens will have a great representation at the Olympics. Juraj Slafkovsky was named one of the first six players for Slovakia. Nick Suzuki, the heartbeat of the Canadiens, deserves an invitation with Team Canada. He's leading the Canadiens with 16 points. Cole Caufield could also be knocking at the door for Team USA. Caufield is more than a pure goal scorer (nine goals in 11 games). He's now a complete winger despite his small size. Oliver Kapanen could also receive an invitation with Team Finland, but the presence of Patrik Laine is in jeopardy because of an injury. In net, Sam Montembeault, who was the third goalie for the Canadian team at the 4 Nations, is having a slow start and might be losing his spot. Jakub Dobes will get some consideration with Team Czechia." -- Jean-Francois Chaumont, journalist principal LNH.com

6. Winnipeg Jets (7-3-0)

Total points: 160
Last week: No. 4

"It's easy talking Olympic candidates for the Jets, because I don't think there will be any doubt that forward Kyle Connor and goalie and reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck will be representing the United States. They're leading the Jets in their own ways again this season. Nino Niederreiter has already been named to Switzerland's team. Forward Mark Scheifele has proven he's worth putting on Canada's team. Scheifele is leading the Jets with 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 10 games. So has Canadian defenseman Josh Morrissey, who has been a steady presence for the Jets for several seasons. A whole lot of Olympic-level talent on the Jets? It explains why they've been among the best in League lately." -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

7. Carolina Hurricanes (6-3-0)

Total points: 159
Last week: No. 3

"Three Hurricanes players are already locks to go to the Olympics; forwards Sebastian Aho (Finland) and Nikolaj Ehlers (Denmark), and goalie Frederik Andersen (Denmark). Provided he's healthy, defenseman Jaccob Slavin is likely a lock to play for the United States. He was arguably the U.S.'s best defenseman at the 4 Nations Face-Off, but has been out with a lower-body injury. Seth Jarvis was one of the more surprising additions to Canada's roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off, but the forward played well there and he's off to a strong start to the season with a team-leading seven goals. He's tied with Aho for the team lead in points with 11. Jarvis is looking more and more like a shoo-in for Canada's Olympic team. Jesperi Kotkaniemi has a chance to play for Finland, but he was not on its roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off and he's not off to a strong start either with three points (one goal, two assists) in seven games." -- Rosen

8. Dallas Stars (6-3-1)

Total points: 132
Last week: No. 12

"The Stars have four players who were named to their respective country's preliminary rosters: Goalie Jake Oettinger for the United States, and forward Mikko Rantanen, and defensemen Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell for Finland. Almost certain locks include forward Roope Hintz (Finland) and defenseman Thomas Harley (Canada), who each represented his country at the 4 Nations Face-off, and forward Radek Faksa (Slovakia). The only other Stars player who could make a roster would be forward Jason Robertson (United States). He has scored at least 80 points each of the past three seasons and, although a longshot, could put himself on the radar if he continues his strong start (nine points in 10 games)." -- David Satriano, staff writer

9. Pittsburgh Penguins (7-2-2)

Total points: 123
Last week: No. 11

"This starts out easy: Sidney Crosby was named as one of the first six players to the Canada Olympic team, so he's in. So is goalie Arturs Silovs, who is having an excellent season (2.44 GAA, .919 save percentage) and was one of the initial six for Latvia. Beyond those two, there are a couple of players who are likely to lace up their skates for Sweden, in defenseman Erik Karlsson and forward Rickard Rakell, though Rakell had surgery on his left hand this week and will be out for six to eight weeks. Bryan Rust was invited to the U.S. 2026 Olympic Orientation camp last summer but would seem to be on the outside looking in, given the talent the United States team has at forward. Plus, general manager Kyle Dubas will also be spending his February overseas as the director of player personnel for Canada." -- Amalie Benjamin, senior writer

10. Detroit Red Wings (7-3-0)

Total points: 116
Last week: No. 6

"Forward Lucas Raymond (Sweden) and defenseman Moritz Seider (Germany) were among the first six players named to their countries' rosters. Center Dylan Larkin should make it for the United States. He played well for the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off, accepting a lesser role in the bottom six and on the penalty kill, scoring a big goal against Canada in Montreal. With 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) in 10 games this season, he leads Detroit and ranks third in the NHL among forwards born in the United States. Forward Patrick Kane was invited to the U.S. orientation camp in August and had five points (two goals, three assists) in five games before sustaining an upper-body injury; the Red Wings hope he'll be back soon. Forward Alex DeBrincat was not invited to the U.S. camp, but he has 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 10 games, tied for 13th among forwards born in the United States." -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

11. Washington Capitals (6-4-0)

Total points: 66
Last week: No. 8

"Defenseman Martin Fehervary was already selected to Slovakia's Olympic team, and the Capitals have several other Olympic candidates, including forward Tom Wilson (Canada), defensemen John Carlson (U.S.) and Rasmus Sandin (Sweden) and goalie Logan Thompson (Canada). Wilson has strengthened his candidacy with 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 10 games. Thompson has picked up where he left off last season, going 5-2-0 with a 1.44 goals-against average and .939 save percentage in seven starts. Carlson has had a solid start with seven points (two goals, five assists) in 10 games while leading Washington by averaging 23:26 in ice time. Sandin had two assists and averaged 19:24 in ice time in seven games before missing the past three games with an upper-body injury." --Tom Gulitti, senior writer

12. Seattle Kraken (5-2-3)

Total points: 60
Last week: Not ranked

"The Kraken have a chance to be well represented at the Olympics, starting in goal. Philipp Grubauer has already been named to Team Germany's roster. Seattle's starter, Joey Daccord (U.S.), is more of a longshot, but the Boston native is off to a strong start this season (5-1-2, 2.68 GAA, .905 save percentage). Forward Kaapo Kakko is on Finland's radar after playing two of its three games at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, and defenseman Brandon Montour told NHL.com in August he's motivated to make Canada's roster after watching the best-on-best tournament from afar this past February. Each of the aforementioned have helped the Kraken be one of the League's surprise teams in the early going." -- Brian Compton, managing editor

13. Florida Panthers (5-5-1)

Total points: 45
Last week: No. 10

"When you are the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, your players will be in demand for any best-on-best tournament. Florida is no exception. Aleksander Barkov was one of the first six named to Team Finland, but can't play because of injury. Matthew Tkachuk is injured but expects to be back in time for the tournament and to serve as the emotional leader of the United States. Eetu Luostarinen, Anton Lundell and Niko Mikkola likely will all play for Finland, and Gustav Forsling for Sweden. Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart are making strong cases for Team Canada. Plus, Uvis Balinskis was named one of the first six players for Latvia. The Panthers will not be well-rested coming out of the Olympic Break." -- Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial

14. Edmonton Oilers (5-4-2)

Total points: 43
Last week: No. 15

"The Oilers could be well represented at the Olympics with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl named to the preliminary rosters for Canada and Germany, respectively. Along with the star forwards, defenseman Mattias Ekholm is expected to play for Sweden. McDavid and Draisaitl are each off to solid starts this season as Edmonton looks to gain traction following a second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final in June. McDavid has 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) and Draisaitl has 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in 11 games. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is stating a case to make the Canadian team with 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 11 games. Nugent-Hopkins was among the 42 NHL players invited to the National Teams Orientation Camp in August and is on Hockey Canada's radar. Defenseman Evan Bouchard was also invited to the orientation camp and could earn a roster spot if he is able to shore things up in his own end and gets hot offensively. He has seven points (one goal, six assists) in 11 games." -- Derek Van Diest, staff writer

15. Chicago Blackhawks (5-3-2)

Last week: Not ranked
Total points: 29

"Could Connor Bedard be playing himself into consideration for Team Canada? The 20-year-old forward is having a breakout start, including his first NHL hat trick in Chicago's 7-3 win against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. He leads the Blackhawks with 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 10 games, and his average of 1.20 points per game is tied for eighth among Canada-born forwards (minimum 10 games). Another player with Olympic hopes is forward Teuvo Teravainen, who could be a consideration for Team Finland with forwards Aleksander Barkov (knee) out and Patrik Laine (core muscle surgery) unlikely to be available." -- Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor

16. Anaheim Ducks (5-3-1)

Last week: Not ranked
Total points: 28

"Czechia has already named goalie Lukas Dostal and defenseman Radko Gudas to its roster. It seems like forward Leo Carlsson should be a lock for Sweden. The 20-year-old center played for his country at the 4 Nations Face-Off and leads the Ducks with 11 points (four goals, seven assists), a big reason for their strong start that landed them in the Super 16 this week. Mikael Granlund is a strong candidate for Finland and his eight points (two goals, six assists) in eight games only backs that up, but the forward is out with a lower-body injury. U.S. forward Chris Kreider was off to a good start with four goals in five games, good for his push to be in the Olympics after playing in the 4 Nations, but he's missed four straight games with an illness. Defenseman Jackson LaCombe was invited to the U.S. Olympic Orientation Camp, meaning he's on USA Hockey's radar. He has three assists and he's playing 25:37 per game, fourth time on ice per game in the League." -- Rosen

Dropped out from last week: Toronto Maple Leafs (No. 13), Vancouver Canucks (No. 14), St. Louis Blues (No. 16)

Others receiving points: Toronto Maple Leafs 27, Philadelphia Flyers 20, Los Angeles Kings 13, Ottawa Senators 8, Tampa Bay Lightning 6, Vancouver Canucks 6, New York Islanders 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 1

HERE'S HOW WE RANKED 'EM

AMALIE BENJAMIN

1. Vegas Golden Knights; 2. Colorado Avalanche; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Winnipeg Jets; 6. Montreal Canadiens; 7. Detroit Red Wings; 8. Dallas Stars; 9. Utah Hockey Club; 10. Washington Capitals; 11. Pittsburgh Penguins; 12. Anaheim Ducks; 13. Toronto Maple Leafs; 14. Florida Panthers; 15. Seattle Kraken; 16. Edmonton Oilers

JEAN-FRANCOIS CHAUMONT

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Vegas Golden Knights; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. New Jersey Devils; 5. Winnipeg Jets; 6. Carolina Hurricanes; 7. Florida Panthers; 8. Montreal Canadiens; 9. Edmonton Oilers; 10. Utah Hockey Club; 11. Washington Capitals; 12. Detroit Red Wings; 13. Toronto Maple Leafs; 14. Pittsburgh Penguins; 15. Tampa Bay Lightning; 16. Columbus Blue Jackets

BRIAN COMPTON

1. New Jersey Devils; 2. Vegas Golden Knights; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. Pittsburgh Penguins; 5. Utah Hockey Club; 6. Montreal Canadiens; 7. Winnipeg Jets; 8. Detroit Red Wings; 9. Dallas Stars; 10. Carolina Hurricanes; 11. Seattle Kraken; 12. Philadelphia Flyers; 13. Anaheim Ducks; 14. Chicago Blackhawks; 15. Washington Capitals; 16. Toronto Maple Leafs

NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA

1. New Jersey Devils; 2. Vegas Golden Knights; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. Montreal Canadiens; 5. Utah Hockey Club; 6. Pittsburgh Penguins; 7. Winnipeg Jets; 8. Detroit Red Wings; 9. Carolina Hurricanes; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. Seattle Kraken; 12. Philadelphia Flyers; 13. Anaheim Ducks; 14. Washington Capitals; 15. Chicago Blackhawks; 16. Los Angeles Kings

TOM GULITTI

1. New Jersey Devils; 2. Vegas Golden Knights; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. Utah Hockey Club; 5. Winnipeg Jets; 6. Montreal Canadiens; 7. Pittsburgh Penguins; 8. Carolina Hurricanes; 9. Detroit Red Wings; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. Washington Capitals; 12. Edmonton Oilers; 13. Florida Panthers; 14. Seattle Kraken; 15. Anaheim Ducks; 16. Toronto Maple Leafs

ADAM KIMELMAN

1. New Jersey Devils; 2. Vegas Golden Knights; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. Utah Hockey Club; 5. Montreal Canadiens; 6. Winnipeg Jets; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. Carolina Hurricanes; 9. Toronto Maple Leafs; 10. Detroit Red Wings; 11. Pittsburgh Penguins; 12. Seattle Kraken; 13. Chicago Blackhawks; 14. Anaheim Ducks; 15. Philadelphia Flyers; 16. Washington Capitals

MIKE G. MORREALE

1. Vegas Golden Knights; 2. Colorado Avalanche; 3. Carolina Hurricanes; 4. New Jersey Devils; 5. Winnipeg Jets; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. Montreal Canadiens; 8. Washington Capitals; 9. Edmonton Oilers; 10. Utah Hockey Club; 11. Los Angeles Kings; 12. Detroit Red Wings; 13. Florida Panthers; 14. Seattle Kraken; 15. Chicago Blackhawks; 16. Philadelphia Flyers

TRACEY MYERS

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Utah Hockey Club; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Vegas Golden Knights; 5. Winnipeg Jets; 6. Detroit Red Wings; 7. Pittsburgh Penguins; 8. Montreal Canadiens; 9. Carolina Hurricanes; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. Washington Capitals; 12. Florida Panthers; 13. Philadelphia Flyers; 14. Seattle Kraken; 15. Edmonton Oilers; 16. Chicago Blackhawks

BILL PRICE

1. Carolina Hurricanes; 2. New Jersey Devils; 3. Vegas Golden Knights; 4. Utah Hockey Club; 5. Colorado Avalanche; 6. Winnipeg Jets; 7. Pittsburgh Penguins; 8. Montreal Canadiens; 9. Dallas Stars; 10. Detroit Red Wings; 11. Seattle Kraken; 12. New York Islanders; 13. Ottawa Senators; 14. Florida Panthers; 15. Edmonton Oilers; 16. Chicago Blackhawks

SHAWN P. ROARKE

1. Vegas Golden Knights; 2. Colorado Avalanche; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Dallas Stars; 6. Winnipeg Jets; 7. Utah Hockey Club; 8. Florida Panthers; 9. Montreal Canadiens; 10. Edmonton Oilers; 11. Toronto Maple Leafs; 12. Seattle Kraken; 13. Tampa Bay Lightning; 14. Detroit Red Wings; 15. Washington Capitals; 16. Pittsburgh Penguins

DAN ROSEN

1. Vegas Golden Knights; 2. Colorado Avalanche; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Utah Hockey Club; 5. Carolina Hurricanes; 6. Montreal Canadiens; 7. Pittsburgh Penguins; 8. Detroit Red Wings; 9. Dallas Stars; 10. Seattle Kraken; 11. Winnipeg Jets; 12. Chicago Blackhawks; 13. Anaheim Ducks; 14. Los Angeles Kings; 15. Edmonton Oilers; 16. Washington Capitals

DAVID SATRIANO

1. Vegas Golden Knights; 2. Colorado Avalanche; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Montreal Canadiens; 5. Winnipeg Jets; 6. Utah Hockey Club; 7. Pittsburgh Penguins; 8. Dallas Stars; 9. Detroit Red Wings; 10. Carolina Hurricanes; 11. Washington Capitals; 12. Chicago Blackhawks; 13. Florida Panthers; 14. Edmonton Oilers; 15. Los Angeles Kings; 16. Toronto Maple Leafs

PAUL STRIZHEVSKY

1. Vegas Golden Knights; 2. New Jersey Devils; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. Utah Hockey Club; 5. Pittsburgh Penguins; 6. Winnipeg Jets; 7. Montreal Canadiens; 8. Detroit Red Wings; 9. Carolina Hurricanes; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. Seattle Kraken; 12. Washington Capitals; 13. Anaheim Ducks; 14. Philadelphia Flyers; 15. Toronto Maple Leafs; 16. Florida Panthers

DEREK VAN DIEST

1. New Jersey Devils; 2. Utah Hockey Club; 3. Pittsburgh Penguins; 4. Montreal Canadiens; 5. Colorado Avalanche; 6. Carolina Hurricanes; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Winnipeg Jets; 9. Detroit Red Wings; 10. Washington Capitals; 11. Vancouver Canucks; 12. Seattle Kraken; 13. Ottawa Senators; 14. Dallas Stars; 15. Florida Panthers; 16. Edmonton Oilers

MIKE ZEISBERGER

1. Vegas Golden Knights; 2. Colorado Avalanche; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Dallas Stars; 6. Montreal Canadiens; 7. Utah Hockey Club; 8. Winnipeg Jets; 9. Detroit Red Wings; 10. Pittsburgh Penguins; 11. Chicago Blackhawks; 12. Washington Capitals; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Seattle Kraken; 15. Anaheim Ducks; 16. Los Angeles Kings