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Could Washington Nationals star James Wood join Team USA for the WBC?

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: James Wood #29 of the Washington Nationals takes a swing during a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at the Nationals Park on September 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Any intriguing potential Nats storyline emerged earlier today. It was reported that Corbin Carroll broke his Hamate bone in batting practice and will be missing the WBC. That means Team USA will have to find a replacement. Nationals star left fielder James Wood is reportedly on the shortlist of names according to Jon Morosi.

This is an exciting and potentially impactful development. While Wood is far from a lock to be the man Team USA picks, I think he is one of the top candidates. With Carroll out of the picture, Team USA’s outfielders are now Byron Buxton, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Aaron Judge. Wood would be a nice complement to those three. He brings an element of left handed power that this trio misses.

Clearly, that is what the folks running Team USA are looking for. Wyatt Langford is the only right handed bat in the mix. If Team USA wanted a contact oriented profile, Steven Kwan is the obvious pick, but the other options are power bats. However, none of the other names have quite as much raw power as Wood.

I think Wood has the most upside of anyone in that group. We know what he can do when he gets hot. It would also be a great experience for him as well. He would be able to take in knowledge from some of the game’s best players. Fellow giant outfielder Aaron Judge would be a great person for him to learn from. Judge had strikeout issues when he entered the league, but has fixed those.

When Wood gets a hold of a baseball, it looks like a left handed Aaron Judge at times. The raw power is totally jaw dropping. I remember his home run against the Orioles early in the season so well. It was the one of the first flyballs he pulled all season and he sent it 460 feet and hit the ball about 117 MPH.

While his Home Run Derby appearance did not go according to plan, the fact he got the invite shows he is highly thought of. You have to think people at Team USA may view Wood as a potential successor to Judge for the future. Bringing him to this event would be a great opportunity for him and Team USA.

It is easy to forget just how young James Wood is. He is entering his age 23 season and still has so much ahead of him. In his first full season as a big leaguer, Wood hit 31 homers and posted an .825 OPS. The second half and all the strikeouts left a sour taste, but that is still one heck of a season for a guy who was 22 for most of the year.

However, sending Wood to the WBC would not be without some risks. He would obviously be away from the team for a couple weeks. That could be time spent working with the Nats new coaches where he can refine his swing. There is also some injury risk, but that also exists in regular Spring Training games.

I think the reward far outweighs the risk though and it would be a good opportunity for Wood himself. He is not around any veteran stars in DC, so being with some of the best in the game at the WBC would be great for him. Wood is likely to learn a thing or two from the future Hall of Famers he is playing with. The chance to represent your country is always an honor as well.

Given he would be a replacement player, Wood probably won’t start the biggest games. However, he will still get playing time and would be a strong piece. If Team USA needed a big hit late in a game, Wood would be a great pinch hitter for a guy like Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Again, it is far from a guarantee that he will make the team, but James Wood is in the mix for Team USA. The Nats only have two players at the WBC right now, which is fewer than most teams. Hopefully James Wood can add a third Nat to the mix at this great competition.

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Pistons vs Raptors Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

The Toronto Raptors host the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons, with both teams playing well.

My Pistons vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks break down this East battle and explain why Detroit presents more problems for the home team.

Pistons vs Raptors prediction

Pistons vs Raptors best bet: Pistons moneyline (-110)

The Toronto Raptors are fifth in the conference and 7-3 in their last 10. However, those losses came against Minnesota, Orlando, and New York, all of which featured double-digit second-half collapses.

The Detroit Pistons will present similar problems. They have the best record in the East and are the only team with a better net rating than Oklahoma City.

This is a matchup of Top 10 defensive teams, but Detroit also has a Top 10 offense, while Toronto lacks efficiency, ranking 18th in effective field goal percentage.

Pistons vs Raptors same-game parlay

Defensive battles usually mean lots of rebounds, and the Pistons are one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA. But with Jalen Duren getting a two-game suspension, that could mean more work from Ausar Thompson.

Thompson averages 6.6 rebounds over his last 13 games, topping 6.5 eight times.

No Duren means Raptors center Sandro Mamukelashvili should have some more room to work in the paint. Mamukelashvili is averaging 15.5 points over his last 12 games, going Over 12.5 points nine times in that stretch. 

Pistons vs Raptors SGP

  • Pistons moneyline
  • Ausar Thompson Over 6.5 rebounds
  • Sandro Mamukelashvili Over 12.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Battle on the boards

Good defensive battles usually mean rebounds. These four guys could have a big night cleaning the glass. 

Pistons vs Raptors SGP

  • Ausar Thompson Over 6.5 rebounds
  • Cade Cunningham Over 5.5 rebounds
  • Scottie Barnes Over 8.5 rebounds
  • RJ Barrett Over 5.5 rebounds

Pistons vs Raptors odds

  • Spread: Pistons -1 | Raptors +1
  • Moneyline: Pistons -110 | Raptors -110
  • Over/Under: Over 223 | Under 223

Pistons vs Raptors betting trend to know

The Pistons have covered the first-half spread in 26 of their last 40 games for +11.05 units and a 24% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Raptors.

How to watch Pistons vs Raptors

LocationScotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
DateWednesday, February 11, 2026
Tip-off7:30 p.m. ET
TVFDSN Detroit, TSN

Pistons vs Raptors latest injuries

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Rangers Reacts Survey: When will Walcott waltz (into Arlington)

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - AUGUST 09: Sebastian Walcott #1 of the Frisco Rough Riders blows a bubble during the game between the Frisco RoughRiders and the Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park on Saturday, August 9, 2025 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Braeden Botts/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rangers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Folks, there’s a guy in the Texas Rangers’ organization from the Bahamas that you may have heard of. His name is Sebastian Walcott. He is 19 years old and plays shortstop.

Now, you may be saying to yourself, a baseball player from the Bahamas? Get out of here with your crazy self. They don’t play baseball in the Bahamas!

However, you’d be wrong. They do play baseball there! Granted, there’s not a lot of players in MLB history from the Bahamas — just nine of them, in fact. Someone named Andre Rodgers is the player from the Bahamas with the longest career, playing 854 games from 1957-67. Jazz Chisholm, Jr. is second, at 579 games.

Third is Ed Armbrister. He is best known for a World Series bunt where he maybe should have been called for interfering with Carlton Fisk, but wasn’t, in the bottom of the tenth inning of Game 3 in 1975. It led to Joe Morgan hitting a walkoff single off of Roger Moret for a Reds victory. Had he been called for interference, maybe the Reds don’t score that inning, the Red Sox end up winning, and Carlton Fisk’s legendary Game 6 home run would have won the series for Boston and spared us 30+ years of “Curse of the Bambino” nonsense and a terrible Jimmy Fallon movie.

Anyway, Sebastian Walcott will almost certainly be the tenth. A consensus top 20 prospect in MLB who was solid if unspectacular at AA last year (though solid if unspectacular at AA at age 19 is pretty damn good), Walcott likely will be starting the season at AAA Round Rock. He played some third base as well as shortstop at AA last year, and I expect him to do the same in 2026 for the Express, with maybe some corner outfield mixed in.

Which leads us to today’s question…when do you believe Sebastian Walcott will make his major league debut?

Cast your vote below…

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Knicks vs 76ers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

The Philadelphia 76ers are set to host the New York Knicks as the two teams meet for the fourth time this season.

Re-invigorated at home and playing with a rest advantage, my Knicks vs. 76ers predictions call for Tyrese Maxey to get teammates involved as the home team covers a small spread.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this Eastern Conference tilt on Wednesday, February 11.

Knicks vs 76ers prediction

Knicks vs 76ers best bet: Tyrese Maxey Over 6.5 assists (-115)

Tyrese Maxey’s playmaking will be on full display against the New York Knicks, who are playing the second leg of a back-to-back. The Knicks have surrendered 115 points per game without rest, giving up at least 124 points on four occasions.

With OG Anunoby out and four of five starters logging at least 38 minutes last night, the Knicks' defense is extremely vulnerable. Maxey has recorded 7+ assists in seven of his last eight home games, with the Philadelphia 76ers' point guard averaging 8.0 assists in those contests.

Knicks vs 76ers same-game parlay

New York fell to the Indiana Pacers in overtime last night as 11.5-point home favorites, giving the Sixers a rest advantage after returning home from a five-game road trip.

Joel Embiid has averaged 33.1 points over his last 10 games, reaching 30+ points in eight of them. He’s poised for a big night against a fatigued Knicks defense.

Knicks vs 76ers SGP

  • Tyrese Maxey Over 7.5 assists
  • 76ers -2.5
  • Joel Embiid Over 29.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Next Man Up

Considering Anunoby and Miles McBride are sidelined for New York, forward Mohamed Diawara is set for increased playing time.

In seven games where he’s logged 15+ minutes, Diawara has averaged 7.9 points, reaching at least five points in five of those contests.

Knicks vs 76ers SGP

  • Tyrese Maxey Over 7.5 assists
  • 76ers -2.5
  • Joel Embiid Over 29.5 points
  • Mohamed Diawara Over 4.5 points

Knicks vs 76ers odds

  • Spread: Knicks +2.5 (-115) | 76ers -2.5 (-115)
  • Moneyline: Knicks +115 | 76ers -135
  • Over/Under: Over 224.5 (-110) | Under 224.5 (-110)

Knicks vs 76ers betting trend to know

Philadelphia has covered the 2Q spread in 33 of its last 50 games (+15.35 Units / 26% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. 76ers.

How to watch Knicks vs 76ers

LocationXfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
DateWednesday, February 11, 2026
Tip-off7:30 p.m. ET
TVESPN

Knicks vs 76ers latest injuries

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Francisco Lindor has surgery to repair broken hamate bone in left hand, out around six weeks

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said he’s optimistic shortstop Francisco Lindor will recover for opening day after having surgery on Wednesday to repair a broken hamate bone in his left hand.

Lindor was evaluated by a hand specialist after experiencing soreness in the area around his hand and wrist this week.

“People are saying six weeks for return of play,” Mendoza said, referencing a timeline that could threaten Lindor’s status for the start of the season.

“Knowing Lindor, I’m not gonna bet against him. This is a guy that’s played through broken toes and the low back (injury) two years ago when he barely walked and he continued to play through it. So we’re still optimistic that he’s going to be available for us on opening day, but we’ve just got to wait and see.”

Lindor is the third prominent player to suffer hamate bone injuries in the opening week of spring training, following Arizona outfielder Corbin Carroll and Baltimore second baseman Jackson Holliday.

When asked about the sudden rash of hamate injuries, Mendoza said: “It’s baseball, you know. I guess it’s back to baseball season. ... This is a pretty common one. It’s just rare that, you know, in the span of, what 24 hours, we got three really good players going down with the same injury. But I don’t make too much out of it.”

Lindor, 32, hit .267 with 31 homers, 86 RBIs and 31 steals in 160 games with New York last year. The five-time All-Star was left off Puerto Rico’s roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic over insurance coverage.

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Orioles’ Jackson Holliday to miss opening day following surgery to repair broken bone in hand

SARASOTA, Fla. — Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday will have surgery on Thursday to repair a broken hamate bone in his right hand and will miss opening day.

Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias announced Wednesday that Holliday sustained the injury while taking batting practice last week.

Holliday, 22, hit .242 with 17 home runs, 55 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 2025. He was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2022.

Elias also said Wednesday that third baseman Jordan Westburg is recovering from a right oblique injury that could delay his participation in spring training games.

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Report: Diamondbacks star Corbin Carroll to miss World Baseball Classic with broken bone in hand

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll will miss the World Baseball Classic after breaking the hamate bone in his right hand during batting practice, according to a person with knowledge of the injury.

Carroll will have surgery Wednesday and miss significant time during spring training, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the injury has not been announced by the team.

It is not known if Carroll, 25, will return in time for opening day. He had been expected to play for Team USA in the WBC.

Carroll was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2023. He hit .259 with 31 home runs and stole 32 bases last season. He led the majors with 17 triples.

Carroll’s injury was first reported by MLB.com.

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Milwaukee Bucks Poll: How did the Bucks do at the deadline?

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 9: Ousmane Dieng #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 9, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Six days ago, as anxiety was about as high among the fanbase as I can remember, it became clear the Bucks were not going to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo. This didn’t come as a surprise. It also didn’t come as a surprise that Milwaukee made a move, shipping out unproductive vets Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey, both on expiring contracts, for Ousmane Dieng, a lottery ticket. Even though Milwaukee’s interest in him was long reported, what did come as more of a surprise was signing Cam Thomas to the resulting roster opening.

It seems more likely we’ll see more of Thomas than former 11th overall pick Dieng, but will we know enough to decide whether they’re part of the Bucks’ future? Thomas is indeed on a minimum contract, and they’ll only have Non-Bird rights on him this summer when he hits unrestricted free agency. That limits Milwaukee to a new contract with a starting salary of up to $3.4m. Otherwise, they’d have to dip into their mid-level or bi-annual exception to keep him. Dieng will be a restricted free agent if the Bucks extend an $8.7m qualifying offer, and can thus match any offer to re-sign him. If they don’t, he’s unrestricted, but either way, they will have Bird rights on him, and their offer can be anything up to the max.

In this week’s Tuesday-Wednesday Tracker, we want to know how you think the Bucks did at the deadline and what it means for Giannis’ future. We also have a bonus question about a controversial partnership Giannis entered into with a sports betting site. This week is a two-parter, and if you missed it, we asked another question about Giannis and took your opinions on the Thomas signing yesterday. We’ll have the results for you this weekend.

As always, this poll will be open until midnight Central on Friday, and we’ll post the results later that day. Thanks for voting!

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Mets announce Francisco Lindor is undergoing hand surgery

MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 26: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of the game at loanDepot park on September 26, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Mets announced that Francisco Lindor is undergoing surgery on his hand today to address the hamate issue that became public knowledge yesterday. As David Stearns had said in giving that update, the expected recovery timeline for Lindor is six weeks. The Mets’ 2026 season begins six weeks from tomorrow.

It goes without saying that Lindor is crucial to the Mets’ success, as he’s been the team’s best player over the past several years. And even with the addition of Juan Soto last year, Lindor was the team’s best player by fWAR, albeit by a relatively small margin, while he slightly trailed Soto in bWAR.

If Lindor’s recovery goes smoothly and he is ready to play on Opening Day, the time he misses in spring training shouldn’t be a major problem. If there are delays, though, it’ll be interesting to see what the Mets do at shortstop in the early part of the season. The team has several players who have played short in the past, but whether or not any of them are ideal substitutes for Lindor is another matter.

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Luka Doncic reported investor in Rome basketball team looking to NBA Europe

Lakers star Luka Doncic is part of former Dallas general manager Donnie Nelson's investor group looking to buy a basketball team in Italy, with an eye toward moving it to Rome and joining NBA Europe, which Adam Silver has pushed for and appears on track to open in 2027.

This group, with some clearly deep-pocketed investors partnering with them, is looking to buy Vanoli Basket, from Cremona in northern Italy (closer to Milan). Italian news outlet La Gazzetta Dello Sport, reported former Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki was also part of Nelson's group alongside Doncic, but a spokesperson for Nowitzki denied that to NBA insider Marc Stein.

The group is buying Vanoli Basket to gain access to the club's La Liga license, setting up a much larger play to be one of the 12 licensed franchises in the NBA's proposed new European league, reports Joe Vardon, Sam Amick and Mike Vorkunov at The Athletic.

Vanoli Basket is a license holder in Liga Basket Seria A, the top Italian pro league, and any team competing in NBA Europe must also play in a domestic league. Multiple sources said Vanoli Basket was being purchased for its Liga license. With that in hand, those sources said, Nelson, Dončić, Nowitzki and their partners would then establish an essentially new franchise about 330 miles away in Rome.

Pushed for by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, the new NBA Europe league will feature 12 stakeholder teams competing in it every year. A few of that dozen are likely existing powerhouse European clubs — Real Madrid and Barcelona are two that have been linked to the NBA — as well as new, or dramatically upgraded teams in other markets, such as soccer powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain fielding a squad in that city. The buy-in for these teams, or new teams, to join NBA Europe could reach as high as $1 billion in some cases.

The other four spots in the league would need to be earned annually through performance in the domestic leagues.

Rome is one of the cities mentioned as a target by NBA Europe, and it does not currently have a high-level team there.

Doncic is one of the greatest European players ever in the NBA. There is no ban on NBA players owning a stake in these European teams (Kevin Durant is an investor in Paris Saint-Germain), and it's not clear how much of the team they may own, but there is no cap on their ownership levels (as there are with players owning part of a WNBA team, for example). Having big NBA names can help establish a team and sell it in a market where NBA Europe will compete with the existing domestic basketball leagues (the NBA Europe teams would have to compete in domestic leagues), the existing basketball EuroLeague, and the popularity of other sports on the continent, such as soccer and cricket.

The NBA is targeting a fall 2027 launch of NBA Europe. The NBA sees a European basketball market that is not marketed or maximized as a business — leaving money on the table — which is something the NBA specializes in. How fans will receive the new league is something we will find out in a couple of years, but the NBA is bringing big names and big money to the table.

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Question Time: How do You Feel about the Off-Season Overall?

Feb 11, 2026; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jorge Alcala (65) throws a bullpen session for spring training practice at Blue Jays Player Development Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
On Monday, Tom and I asked your thoughts about the Jays’ most exciting and most concerning moves (or non-moves) of the winter. Now, how do you think they did overall?
I’m sure the vibes would have been better on this question 48 hours ago, before we knew that Anthony Santander was out for most of the season and that Shane Bieber had the dreaded forearm tightness. But then it makes the Cody Ponce signing and the decision not to try to trade Nathan Lukes both look pretty wise.
I’m happy overall. The pitching is better and deeper, and while they didn’t get a big bat, Kazuma Okamoto has interesting upside and fits into the roster. On paper they’re better than the team that came within a run of winning the World Series in November. Of course, a lot had to break right for them to get that far, and would have to do so again. That’s kind of always the case. But I don’t see a roster in the American League that’s better than theirs.
What do you think? Did they do enough? Or are there holes that they’ll regret not addressing?
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Jaxson Hayes says competing in dunk contest is a dream come true

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Jaxson Hayes #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers slam dunks over Trayce Jackson-Davis #32 of the Golden State Warriors in the second half of a preseason NBA game at Chase Center on October 05, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The NBA’s All-Star weekend is an opportunity for the league to showcase its talent. The main event is the All-Star Game, but the 3-point Contest, Rising Stars Game, and the Slam Dunk Contest are also important fixtures of the festivities.

For any NBA player, being involved in the weekend is an honor, but for Jaxson Hayes, it means a bit more. He was asked to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest and accepted.

With the All-Star Game happening in LA, Hayes will represent the Lakers in his home market. Sure, the game is at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, where the Clippers play, but he’ll certainly be a fan favorite.

This will be Hayes’ first time participating in the Slam Dunk Contest, but it’s something he’s wanted to do his entire career.

After the Lakers beat the Warriors, he spoke to the media about participating in the competition.

“I’ve always dreamed of being in the dunk contest,” Hayes said. “That’s something you do as a kid. I mean, obviously like making it to the NBA, being an All-Star and stuff like that, but like for me, I was always big into the dunk contest, if you guys can’t tell by the way I play, I was just excited, so when I got that call, I was definitely down.”

Hayes is certainly elite at dunking the ball. He has 75 dunks on the season, which is the 19th most in the NBA. He has only 46 made field goals that are not dunks.

Coming off the bench for the Lakers, Hayes electrifies by attacking the rim and elevating the energy of the arena when he slams one down. A prime example occurred when the Lakers faced the Bulls earlier this year. Hayes went coast-to-coast and executed a fantastic East Bay Funk Dunk.

The hope is that he can bring some of that action to the All-Star stage.

Hayes also has some experience winning these kinds of competitions. He won the Ohio-Kentucky All-Star Game Dunk Contest as a senior in high school and executed an impressive windmill from the free throw line.

It’s great that the NBA selected a player who wants to be in the dunk contest and will put his best effort forward, representing the Lakers on this stage.

Kobe Bryant is the only Laker ever to win the Slam Dunk Contest, so if he could pull off a victory, it’d be a historic moment in LA and a great reward for Hayes, who has been a star in his role for the purple and gold all season long.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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Top NHL players at the Olympics: Who's suiting up for their country?

Olympics men's hockey is back to a best-on-best tournament with the return of NHL players.

The league sent its players from 1998 to 2014, but didn't in 2018 (lack of an agreement) and 2022 (need to make up games postponed by COVID). International tournaments are included in the latest collective bargaining agreement, so the league has shut down for several weeks to let players suit up for their national teams.

As a result, NHL players will be plentiful on the rosters of most of the 12 countries participating in Milan. Nineteen of the league's top 25 scorers are at the tournament.

Here are some top NHL players to watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics:

Canada's Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers): The three-time Hart Trophy winner has gone to the Stanley Cup Final the last two seasons and was playoff MVP in 2024 in a losing effort. He scored the overtime winner at the 4 Nations Face-Off and is the NHL's top scorer.

Canada's Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche): He won a Stanley Cup in 2022 and was league MVP in 2024. He won MVP of the 4 Nations. He was the leading scorer for much of this season before McDavid passed him.

Canada's Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins): The Canadian captain is the NHL's most recognizable name. He won three Stanley Cup titles and two Olympic gold medals, scoring the overtime winner in 2010. He ranks eighth in all-time NHL scoring, recently passing Penguins legend Mario Lemieux.

Germany's Leon Draisaitl (Oilers): He's considered the NHL's second-best player behind McDavid and won the Hart Trophy in 2020.

USA's Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets): The goaltender won the Vezina Trophy the past two seasons and three times overall. He was voted league MVP last season.

USA's Matthew (Florida Panthers) and Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators): They were forces at the 4 Nations, both scoring twice in the opener and starting fights in the first Canada game. Though fighting isn't allowed in the Olympics, they will be disruptive forces. Matthew has won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles.

USA's Quinn Hughes (Minnesota Wild): The defenseman missed the 4 Nations with an injury and the USA missed his puck-moving ability. Hughes won the Norris Trophy in 2023-24 and has 34 points in 26 games since his trade to Minnesota. His brother, Jack, also plays for the USA.

Finland's Mikko Rantanen (Dallas Stars): He's a clutch scorer with 123 points in 99 NHL playoff game. He'll be looking for a better performance after getting only one point at the 4 Nations.

Czechia's David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins): He ranks sixth in NHL scoring this season and had a 61-goal season in 2022-23 and a league-best 48 in the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season. He has has three 100-point seasons.

Slovakia's Juraj Slafkovsky (Montreal Canadiens): He was MVP of the 2022 Olympics, scoring seven goals as Slovakia won bronze. He then was taken No. 1 overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. He scored the opening goal of this year's tournament and finished with two goals and an assist in a win against Finland.

Sweden's Lucas Raymond (Detroit Red Wings): He's the top NHL scorer among Swedish Olympics and with 60 points this season, he is on pace for a career high.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Top NHL players at the 2026 Winter Olympics

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Dvorsky Nets GWG, Assist In Olympic Debut For Slovakia In Upset Win

No sweat for Dalibor Dvorsky in his Olympic debut.

The 20-year-old St. Louis Blues center, a first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, made his first appearance for Slovakia a memorable one with the game-winning goal and an assist to help the Slovaks upset Finland, 4-1, at Santagiulia IHO Arena in Milan, Italyon Wednesday.

Dvorsky scored on a net front loose puck rebound, beating Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators) at 7:20 of the third period to break a 1-1 deadlock:

Dvorsky would add an assist on Juraj Slafkovsky's (Montreal Canadiens) second goal of the game, a power-play goal at 10:30 to add insurance to Slovakia's upset win and stir the pot to open the men's portion of Group B preliminary round play.

Dvorsky had two shots on goal and was a plus-1 in 11:14 of ice time as the third-line center in the game and was the game's third star; he became the youngest Slovakian player to score a goal in the Olympics (20 years, 241 days) with NHL players, according to NHL public relations:

Suter Honored To Represent Switzerland ... 'We've Got A Good Team'Suter Honored To Represent Switzerland ... 'We've Got A Good Team'Blues center said not to overlook Swiss at Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics
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