Finland's Olympic Hockey Challenge: Underdogs Once More in Milan 2026
The Finnish men's ice hockey team has spent years fighting to escape the shadow of the underdog label. For decades, they were the tournament's perpetual overachievers—a nation that consistently punched above its weight in best-on-best competitions. Recently, however, Finland's talent pool has matured dramatically, earning them rightful recognition among the world's hockey elite. With stars like Miro Heiskanen, Aleksander Barkov, and Mikko Rantanen, the Suomi squad has become synonymous with skill and depth.
But as the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, Finland finds itself at a crossroads. The team must confront a harsh reality: their identity as underdogs may be thrust upon them once again, not by reputation, but by circumstance.
The Injury Setback That Changes Everything
The most devastating blow came in September when Barkov, Finland's captain and arguably their most indispensable player, suffered a torn ACL and MCL during the Florida Panthers' first training camp practice. The injury will keep him sidelined for Milan 2026, leaving a gaping hole in Finland's top line and defensive forward corps. Barkov isn't just a point-producer; he's the team's premier shutdown center, a two-way force who sets the tone in all situations.
The injury woes don't end there. Patrik Laine, the team's most dangerous pure goal-scorer, remains unavailable as he recovers from a significant abdominal injury. Meanwhile, goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen suffered a lower-body injury last week, further depleting Finland's depth chart between the pipes.
These absences transform Finland's roster from a legitimate medal contender to a team facing serious questions about its firepower. Without their top-line pivot and primary offensive weapon, the Finns appear considerably thinner on paper. Yet history suggests this might be precisely when they're most dangerous.
A Legacy of Overachievement
Finland's relationship with Olympic success runs deep. The nation has medaled in six of the past eight Winter Games and four of the five Olympics featuring NHL participation. Their crowning achievement came in 2022 at Beijing, where they captured their first-ever men's hockey gold medal.
That tournament, held without NHL players due to COVID-19 complications, saw Finland ice a roster composed primarily of European league veterans and former NHLers. The result was a masterclass in team cohesion and tactical execution. The Finns ran the table with a perfect 6-0 record, with Sakari Manninen leading the offensive charge with four goals and seven points in five games. Defenseman Mikko Lehtonen earned Olympic All-Star honors, while goaltender Harri Sateri delivered a heroic performance, posting a staggering .962 save percentage across five appearances.
The gold medal victory over the Russian Olympic Committee team—sealing a 2-1 comeback win on Hannes Bjorninen's third-period winner—came exactly 70 years after Finland first participated in Olympic men's hockey. It was a triumph that validated decades of patient development and strategic planning.
The Core That Remains
Despite the significant losses, Finland still brings one of the tournament's more formidable rosters to Milan. The forward group features legitimate star power in Mikko Rantanen and Sebastian Aho, both established NHL All-Stars capable of dominating shifts. Roope Hintz provides a versatile two-way presence at center, while Artturi Lehkonen brings invaluable championship experience from his Stanley Cup victory with the Colorado Avalanche.
These four forwards, combined with the transcendent talent of Miro Heiskanen on the blue line, form the backbone of Finland's top power-play unit. Heiskanen's ability to transition the puck and quarterback the man advantage will be particularly crucial—an element noticeably absent during Finland's participation in the 4 Nations Face-Off, where his injury kept him out of the lineup.
The Next Generation Steps Up
The most intriguing storyline for Finland may be the emergence of Anton Lundell. The young center has taken significant strides this season while filling Barkov's massive skates in Florida, earning the nickname "Baby Barkov" for his similar playing style and two-way acumen. Lundell will be tasked with replicating that role on the international stage, likely centering Finland's top line and matching up against opposing superstars.
The depth chart receives additional support from Teuvo Teravainen and Eeli Tolvanen, who paced Finland in goals and points respectively at the 2025 World Championships. Their experience in secondary scoring roles and power-play deployment provides coach Jukka Jalonen with valuable flexibility.
The Path to the Podium
Finland's formula for success in Milan will rely on three critical factors: defensive structure, goaltending excellence, and special teams efficiency. The Finns have traditionally excelled at playing a disciplined, systematic game that frustrates more talented opponents. With Heiskanen anchoring the defense corps, they possess the mobility and puck-moving ability to control possession and limit high-danger chances.
In goal, the absence of Luukkonen places added pressure on whoever claims the starter's crease. Finland's goaltending pipeline has historically been a strength, and the team will need a heroic performance reminiscent of Sateri's 2022 heroics to compete with offensive juggernauts like Canada and the United States.
The power play, led by Heiskanen's creativity and the finishing ability of Rantanen and Aho, must convert at a high rate. In a short tournament, special teams often determine medal winners, and Finland cannot afford to waste opportunities.
Embracing the Underdog Mentality
Perhaps Finland's greatest asset is psychological. The team has thrived when expectations are modest, using collective effort and national pride to overcome individual talent deficits. The "underdog" label that once defined them could become a source of strength in Milan.
Coach Jalonen, renowned for his tactical acumen and ability to maximize roster potential, will emphasize structure and sacrifice. The Finnish identity—hardworking, disciplined, and unified—suits tournament play perfectly. While other nations may rely on superstar-driven offense, Finland's strength lies in its cohesion.
The question isn't whether Finland has enough talent to medal—they do. The question is whether they can stay healthy, execute their system flawlessly, and receive the goaltending necessary to navigate a brutal knockout stage.
Conclusion: A Familiar Role, A New Opportunity
As Finland prepares for Milan 2026, they find themselves in an unfamiliar yet strangely comfortable position. The injuries to Barkov, Laine, and Luukkonen have stripped away some of their star power, forcing them to embrace a team-first approach that has historically served them well.
The remaining core of Rantanen, Aho, Heiskanen, and Hintz provides a foundation few nations can match. The emergence of Lundell offers hope that the next generation is ready for primetime. And the memory of Beijing 2022 serves as a powerful reminder that Finland achieves greatness when counted out.
The Suomi squad may enter the tournament as underdogs once again, but they do so with a medal pedigree that commands respect. In a sport where chemistry and commitment often trump raw talent, Finland's path to the podium is clear: play their game, trust their system, and never doubt the power of Sisu.
The hockey world would be wise not to underestimate them—again.