The Hypothetical Powerhouse: What a Russian Olympic Hockey Team Could Have Looked Like in 2026
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan are proceeding without a team many believe would have been a strong medal contender: Russia. Banned from international play since 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine, the absence of Russian athletes has sparked debate about the tournament’s competitive balance and left many wondering what a fully-formed Russian Olympic hockey team might have looked like.
The question isn’t merely academic. According to analysis by The Athletic, Russia would have likely been favored to win a bronze medal and possessed the potential to upset both Canada and the United States. To answer that question, The Athletic turned to Igor Larionov, a Hockey Hall of Famer and current head coach of SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL, affectionately known as “The Professor,” to construct a hypothetical roster.
A Roster Built on NHL Talent
Larionov, reflecting on the exercise in mid-January, emphasized the strength of Russian players currently competing in the NHL. “I’ve been working in the KHL for four years now. I don’t see anyone who could be close to the guys now playing in the NHL,” he stated. His resulting roster, consisted entirely of players based in North America.
Goaltending: A Wealth of Options
The goaltending position presented a difficult choice, with four outstanding candidates. Larionov ultimately selected Sergei Bobrovsky, Andrei Vasilevskiy and Igor Shesterkin, opting to leave Ilya Sorokin off the roster. He justified his choices by prioritizing players with winning records, experience, and Stanley Cup championships. “You want to choose the best who have the winning records and experience and have won the Stanley Cup,” he explained. He recounted a story about Shesterkin participating in a summer skate as a forward, highlighting his versatility, and skill.
Defensemen: Skill and Hockey IQ Prioritized
Larionov’s eight selected defensemen were chosen for their blend of skill, size, and hockey IQ. He would have included Alexander Romanov, but a long-term shoulder injury necessitated a replacement in Artem Zub. The coach emphasized the importance of offensive capabilities on the blue line, stating, “To me, offense is the most important, because the Russian way is to control the puck and to be unpredictable.” He also noted the benefit of having a physically imposing presence like Nikita Zadorov, but stressed that skill and intelligence were paramount.
Forwards: Blending Experience and Youth
The forward lines showcased a mix of established stars and promising young talent. Larionov expressed particular enthusiasm about pairing Montreal Canadiens rookie Ivan Demidov with Alex Ovechkin, believing their combined speed, skill, and experience would be a potent combination. “You blend experience and speed and skill and the mind on the same line,” he said.
Finding the right players at center proved challenging, leading Larionov to consider unconventional solutions. He suggested utilizing Artemi Panarin in the center position, trusting his hockey IQ to adapt to the role. He also included 22-year-old Fedor Svechkov, praising his work ethic and comparing him to Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators. A veteran presence like Ilya Mikheyev, known for his penalty-killing ability and strong work ethic, rounded out the forward group.
Impact on the Tournament
The inclusion of a Russian team would have significantly altered the competitive landscape of the 2026 Olympic hockey tournament. According to The Athletic’s analysis, Russia’s presence would have relegated France to exclusion and created more challenging groups for the preliminary round. Sweden would have joined Canada in Group A, while Russia would have been placed with the United States in Group C, increasing the level of competition in both groups.
The presence of Russia would have also reduced the medal odds for all competing nations. Canada and the United States would have seen their gold medal chances decrease by roughly four percentage points, while Sweden’s chances of medaling would have taken a substantial hit of 13 percentage points. The tournament, would have been a more unpredictable and challenging affair.
the hypothetical Russian team, as envisioned by Igor Larionov, represents a significant loss for the 2026 Winter Olympics. A team brimming with NHL talent, built on skill, intelligence, and a commitment to offensive hockey, would have undoubtedly added another layer of excitement and competition to the tournament.
