Sidney Crosby and Lars Eller (Image Source: Getty) The return of NHL players to the Winter Olympics for Milano Cortina 2026 has reignited one of international hockey’s longstanding storylines: veteran stars chasing what could be their last gasp at Olympic glory. At last, the best players in the world are back in the mix for the largest stage after a decade-long absence of NHLers from the event. For fans and players, the tournament is a long-delayed reunion of the NHL and the Olympic movement.But for veteran players still playing well, the opportunity is more meaningful. We saw them in Beijing, but it’s a long road to the next Olympics, and a short career, and nothing is promised in 2026. Sidney Crosby and Lars Eller both brilliantly demonstrate this. Both remain meaningful NHL players yet are both also nearing the end points of lovely careers, and the upcoming Games could serve as a defining point in their select international lives.
Why the 2026 Olympics may be the final chance for many veterans
It is also worth noting that the NHL’s decision to take part in the 2026 Winter Games does not necessarily mean the league will participate in additional Olympics. Whether the leagues participate is subject to a continuing arrangement with the International Olympic Committee and the International Ice Hockey Federation, which are renegotiated every cycle. When it comes to players for the Olympics, there is no guarantee, 2030 or not. This obviously isn’t realistic for veterans, who are already in their mid to late 30s. No player is immortal, and players who once starred in the NHL often see their roles shrink in favor of fresh faces. The slow march of time takes its toll, even on Hall of Fame-caliber stars. That makes Milano Cortina the closest thing to the final chance at an Olympic medal for a lot of longtime NHL heroes.
What Milano Cortina 2026 means for Sidney Crosby and Lars Eller
The 2026 tournament means a lot to Sidney Crosby. The Canadian great already has a pair of Olympic gold medals to his name, but the puck will be dropping in Italy when he’s 38. Of course, while he still plays at a high level, for him to be an option for the national side into his 40s is ambitious. This could be his last Games: another Olympic cycle would almost certainly fall outside his competitive window. If the end comes in 2026, it will be a perfect conclusion to one of the greatest careers in hockey history.For Lars Eller, it’s a different but no less significant situation. The Danish forward has been a steadying presence for his national team and a respected NHL stalwart for over a decade. Olympic glory is rare for a nation that is not a hockey traditional power, let alone for Denmark. Eller is 36 in 2026 and knows this will be his last greatest opportunity for his country on a stage this size. The chance for him to become a legendary name on Denmark’s international stage can only come from beating the next generation of talent all the way to their heels.