Finland’s Saros, Known for ‘No Goals’ Stance, Shines at Olympics
MILAN — Juuse Saros, the Nashville Predators goaltender whose stoic response to financial planning questions became a viral sensation, is demonstrating a similar focus at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The 30-year-old has been a key factor in Finland’s strong performance, allowing just four goals in three preliminary games and posting a .946 save percentage.
The source of Saros’s newfound fame stems from a MassMutual commercial that first aired in 2023. In the spot, teammate Ryan O’Reilly attempts to engage Saros in a conversation about financial goals – retirement planning, investment portfolios, even purchasing a new home. Each time, Saros delivers a terse, unwavering response: “No goals.”
“Back in the [United] States, I hear it quite a bit,” Saros said Monday, acknowledging the commercial’s lasting impact. “So, whoever wrote those lines, they did a good job. At least people remember it.”
Saros’s performance in Milan suggests he’s applying that same single-mindedness to his on-ice objectives. He hasn’t allowed a goal in his last 95 minutes and 21 seconds of Olympic play, contributing significantly to Finland’s fourth-place finish in the preliminary round and securing a bye into the quarterfinals.
“He’s really been big. If not the best, he’s one of the best goalies in the world,” forward Mikael Granlund commented. “I’ve known him for a long time, I know what he can do out there. He can win games by himself, so it’s great to have a guy like that in your net.”
Defenseman Miro Heiskanen echoed Granlund’s sentiment, stating, “He’s a great player for sure. Every time you play in front of him you have confidence, and it’s great to have him here.”
Finland will face Team Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at 12:10 p.m. ET (Peacock, CBC Gem, SN). Despite a break in competition since their 11-0 win against Italy on Saturday, Saros isn’t concerned about any potential rust.
“I don’t think it’s too long of a rest,” Saros said. “We’ll take it and we’ll be ready to go once we get out there again.” He also indicated that the identity of their opponent doesn’t alter their preparation. “It doesn’t change much; you kind of try to prepare the best you can, no matter who you are playing against.”
Like the commercial for Mass Mutual, Saros remains a man of few words, but his actions on the ice speak volumes. He’s a goaltender focused on one thing: preventing goals – a philosophy that appears to be serving him, and Finland, well at the Olympic Winter Games.
