The preliminary rounds are over and the games in Milan are about to turn up a notch. The 2026 Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey tournament has thus far been quite entertaining. Of the seven New Jersey Devils representing their respective country, who is seeing their stock rise, versus fall?
The standings are set. Canada and the U.S. were the only undefeated’s through the first three games of the tournament, winning their respective groups. Slovakia won their group as well, upsetting both Sweden and Finland. And Finland earned a bye to the quarterfinal as the best second-place team in the tournament.
Some Devils have factored in more than others.
Let’s take a look at the barometer heading into the play-in round.
Devils Stock Up
Jack Hughes
Jack Hughes is silencing his critics. Hand up, I was one of them. And good on ’em. The Devils star needed to prove he wasn’t just there to keep his brother, Quinn Hughes, happy in the eyes of the U.S. and Minnesota Wild GM.
Hughes is reminding the Devils faithful that perhaps weren’t pleased with him before the Olympic break for not being there when New Jersey needed him most.
The Devils star has thus far netted a goal and two assists in three games. He’s among the top chance creators for Team USA in a limited role that’s seen him skate in 13 minutes or less in each of the first three games of the tournament, which is far different from his season average of 20:57 with the Devils.
Hughes is not only showing his offensive dynamic, but he’s been a pest in the neutral and defensive zones as a forechecker. No.86 is making a name for himself on the world stage thus far. And with his toughest competition ahead, Devils fans want to see this version of Jack continue to succeed, and then bring this compete back with him to New Jersey.
Simon Nemec
Everyone is glowing about Simon Nemec, and rightfully so. Nemec is proving to be an international powerhouse, and the chemistry he has with countryman Juraj Slafkovsky continues to be a factor.
Nemec has two points in three games for Slovakia while skating in a No.1 role. Both of his assists are primary dishes to Slafkovsky in meaningful moments that helped Slovakia win their group and earn a bye to the quarterfinal.
Nemec is proving to be everything the Devils brass are still unsure of. He has top-pair stature, showcasing poise with the puck on his stick, transitioning ability, responsible play in the defensive zone, and a touch of playmaking.
His play in Milan is certainly what the Devils saw from Nemec in his previous international play. It’s why he was taken second overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.
When Nemec has been given an increased role in New Jersey before, we’ve seen him thrive. In diminshed roles, he seems to struggle, although those struggles are becoming fewer. Still, he’s good for the ocassional blunder that leads the opposition to a scoring opportunity. We’ve seen that once or twice in Milan, too. But c’mon. He’s competeing against the best in the world.
One thing has become apparent. The 22-year-old defenseman still has and can reach the high ceiling scouts always believed he’s had. He just needs a bigger role in New Jersey.
Timo Meier
This is the Timo Meier the Devils wanted. He shows spurts of it in New Jersey, but often goes cold & remains pointless in long stretches.
But not in Milan.
Meier has three goals and an assist, tied for 10th overall in the tournament in points.
He’s scoring as a volume shooter and remains Switzerland’s top chance creator. Plus, he’s doing all the little things in between like winning his puck battles, battling for net-front presence, forechecking responsibly, and continues to prove he’s a viable puck transitioner.
Meier’s elite talent is on display at the world level. There’s got to be a way to unlock it in New Jersey.
Neutral Stock
Jacob Markstrom
Jacob Markstrom has gotten little runway. He played in one of three games for Sweden and helped them win their last game in the prelims. However, a blunder in the final seconds afforded Slovakia a goal that could have had implications on their seeding.
That was nulified after Finland scored 11 goals anyway. However, it’s not the first time Markstrom’s fallen short in a crucial moment this year.
Yet, Markstrom still managed a .906 SV% against Slovakia and was solid for the most part.
Let’s see what happens in Sweden’s net as the games matter most at this point, but it appears Markstrom remains in line to own the cage.
Nico Hischier & Jonas Siegenthaler
Nico Hischier has just one point in the tournament, but it’s not for a lack of trying.
In Sunday’s 4-3 overtime win over Czechia, Hischier chipped in an assist on Meier’s goal to give Switzerland a 2-0 lead. However, the secondary tally is his only point in the tournament thus far.
Still, he racked up nearly 2.5 chances for himself and anther 2.5 chances for his linemates in the victory. Against, Canada, it was a bit more of a struggle, but still managed two overall chances in the game. I mean, it’s Canada after all.
But still, after Switzerland’s first tilt of the tournament against France, he walked away wigth seven total scoring chances (four for himself, three for his linemates), and is overall a net positive in the creation department.
On the blueline, Jonas Siegenthaler remains on top-pair duties with Roman Josi. He hasn’t registered a point, but that’s not his game. Siegenthaler’s steady stay at home presence has helped Switzerland to a 1-1-1 record through the prelims with the likely outcome that the Swiss meet Finland in the quarterfinal after a play-in game vs. Italy.
Devils Stock Down
Jesper Bratt
Is this really even Jespser Bratt’s fault? Sweden head coach Sam Hallam has taken some criticism on how he’s deployed his roster.
Sweden started with Filip Forsberg as the odd-man out. Now, heading into the play-in against Latvia, it appears Bratt is the 13th forward.
The Devils forward will still dress, but he’s unlikely to earn much time on ice given that he was benched for the entire game vs. Slovakia.
In three games, Bratt’s earned one assist. After the first two days of the tournament, Bratt was one of the top chance creators in Milan with nine total chances created in Sweden’s first games against Italy. Yet, against Finland, he was shut down when the game became more physical, creating just two chance assists in 60 minutes.
Bratt’s chance at redemption against Slovakia was negated by Hallam’s reluctance to play the Devils forward.
So, is it Bratt or Hallam’s fault the Devils forward’s stock fell here?
Everyone’s looking to point the finger, but it’s probably a bit of both.
