Major international tournaments are fascinating in that they sometimes produce unlikely heroes. One NHL coach’s healthy scratch might be a national team’s go-to clutch star, depending on the team’s depth and roster makeup.

So while we’ll surely see some of the world’s top players deliver signature moments in Milan, we’ll probably see a few surprising names come up huge for their countries.

Who will be the X-Factor players? Let’s take a crack at predicting one for all 12 teams, with a mix of deep sleepers and higher-end players playing on underdog teams.

CANADA: Brad Marchand, F

Marchand looked old, tired and slow at the 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago, but he might not have been 100 percent. After an injury layoff in the spring, he was a man possessed post-trade to the Florida Panthers, coming up with big goal after big goal, playing a crucial role in helping them repeat as Stanley Cup champs. He’s carried that momentum into an excellent 2025-26, leading the Panthers in goals per game and points per game, and he has multiple ways he can help Canada. If coach Jon Cooper wants to tap into Marchand’s chemistry with his great friends Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, Marchand can assist a scoring line. He could work alongside his Florida teammates Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart. Marchand could also form a shift disturber line with Bennett and Tom Wilson. And whereas Bennett and Wilson are at risk of getting Canada into penalty trouble, the agitating Marchand is more likely to draw penalties by baiting opponents into bad decisions. He’s playing at a high level even at 37 and brings so many intangibles, including leadership, that he has potential to impact the tournament in many ways. – Matt Larkin

CZECHIA: Martin Necas, F

It really feels like Necas has levelled up — and then some — over the past two seasons. But these Olympics should be his biggest opportunity yet to prove he truly belongs in the same conversation as a guy like David Pastrnak. The Czechs have always had a solid collection of NHL talent, but if Necas really is legit, they’ll have a much better shot at medalling with a true two-headed monster of him and Pastrnak up front. It is beyond crazy to look back at how the Colorado Avalanche navigated the whole Mikko Rantanen situation last year and realize how well they fared in emerging with that Necas package. He’s been such a seamless fit in Colorado and could slot in as either a center or wing for the Czechs, who also have Tomas Hertl, Pavel Zacha, Ondrej Palat, and Radek Faksa up front, among others. – Mike Gould

DENMARK: Lars Eller, F

This is the first time we’ll ever get to see Danish NHL players at the Olympics, and what an opportunity it’ll be for  Eller, who captained Denmark through the qualifiers back in 2024. Eller is one of only a small handful of active NHLers from the country, although there are some legit difference-makers, including Nikolaj Ehlers, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Freddy Andersen. However, the Danes don’t have a single NHL defenseman on their roster, and Eller has long been renowned for his two-way play, so don’t be too surprised if — even at age 36 — he gets a ton of usage in every game situation. He may have only nine points in 42 games with the Ottawa Senators this season, but Eller has always been a gamer, and tournaments like these tend to bring out the inner youth in even the oldest dogs. – Mike Gould

FINLAND: Anton Lundell, F

The Finns are feeling a little cheated ahead of the Games; the loss of captain and best player Aleksander Barkov to a torn ACL in September took a bite out of the nation’s chances at following up 2022’s Gold Medal finish with another worthy effort. How do you replace Barkov’s Selke-winning defense? Try his Florida teammate Lundell. Lundell’s shutdown connection with countryman Eetu Luostarinen on the Panthers’ third line was the secret ingredient to their back-to-back Stanley Cup wins. The Lundell line hasn’t fared quite as well defensively now that it functions as Florida’s de facto top unit, but if Finland bench boss Antti Pennanen sticks Lundell and Luostarinen with another strong checker (Eeli Tolvanen? Joel Armia?) then hard-matches them with the other team’s top unit, maybe that third-line magic Florida rode to a pair of championships can work out for Team Finland, too. At the very least, letting Lundell chew through the toughest matchups should open up some extra ice for goals-coring centermen Sebastian Aho and Roope Hintz. – Anthony Trudeau

FRANCE: Yohann Auvitu, D

Auvitu, a 36-year-old defender with well north of 100 games played internationally, is expected to play more than 20 minutes a night as France’s top blueliner. He’s no stranger to playing big minutes, and he’s no slouch on the power play, either. His best days are behind him, but Auvitu is always solid when he dons his nation’s colors. He’s strong, moves well and is rarely not one of France’s top offensive defensemen. I don’t expect this to be an easy tournament for Auvitu, but it’s great to see him get an opportunity at the biggest stage in international hockey. – Steven Ellis

GERMANY: Philipp Grubauer, G

You could certainly point to any of the German’s top stars as an X-factor, as they’ll need Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stutzle, JJ Peterka and Moritz Seider at their very best to contend in this tournament, but I’m going to go with Grubauer. The key aspect of an upset in hockey is often the goaltending (I’m sure Kristers Gudlevskis still haunts Canadian hockey fans), and since Grubauer is the only NHL goaltender on the German roster, he’s the best bet to stand on his head. He’s currently playing his best hockey as a member of the Seattle Kraken with a .916 save percentage and 22.2 5v5 goals saved above expected (which is fourth in the NHL), and it might even be the best season of his career, so he’s certainly in the zone. Four prior seasons with a sub-.900 SV% in Seattle does leave some uncertainty to his game, but if he can carry over the momentum of this season into the Olympics, the Germans can do some damage, especially in a group where the second spot after the United States is up for grabs. – Scott Maxwell

ITALY: Daniel Tedesco, F

If the host Italians are to avoid embarrassment, they must find a way to trade goals with their powerful opponents, and Tedesco could play a big part in doing so. He led his nation with four goals and eight points in five games to help Italy win promotion at the Division 1A World Championship last year. Spending much of his pro career in the U.K., he was an EIHL first-team All-Star playing for the Belfast Giants in 2022-23. At 6-foot-1 and 192 pounds and having played college hockey at St. Cloud State, he should be comfortable with the physicality that will come in a (less than) NHL-sized rink. If any forward drags Italy into the fight for a competitive game during the group stage, it’ll likely be Tedesco. – Matt Larkin

LATVIA: Alberts Smits, D

There might be no player in this tournament with a lower floor and a higher ceiling than Smits for Latvia. He’s the youngest player in the tournament and the only draft-eligible player, with a top-10 projection to boot. But considering his age, there’s also a good chance he doesn’t even get a significant role with the team and maybe gets into one game total. If Latvia gives him a chance, he might have a strong impact on the tournament and be a difference maker for the team. If they lean on the veterans, he might not get too many opportunities to make an impact. Regardless, just having him on the team and living the Olympic experience will be vital to his long-term development with the country, especially since he has the potential to be the best player Latvia’s ever produced. If you want to go for a Latvian with a more guaranteed role, Eduards Tralmaks has had a great season in the AHL and could finish the tournament as their best player, but Smits certainly has the highest potential to be a game-changer. – Scott Maxwell

SLOVAKIA: Martin Fehervary, D

There’s no Marian Hossa, Zdeno Chara or Jaroslav Halak walking into Slovakia’s Olympic locker room these days. The Slovaks will need a new generation of talent to rise up and compete by committee in 2026. Look for Washington Capitals defenseman Fehervary to be that guy. The 26-year-old has continued to develop nicely on the Caps’ blueline, contributing offensively and staying above water defensively. With only two other NHL defensemen on the roster (Erik Cernak and 21-year-old Simon Nemec), Fehervary should expect a more significant role than he receives on a veteran Washington blueline. Slovakia is hoping to play spoiler in a tough group that features Sweden and Finland. And with experience from four World Championships under his belt, I’m betting on Fehervary emerging as a leader and steadying presence. – Paul Pidutti

SWEDEN: Joel Eriksson Ek, F

On a team with Norris Trophy winners, Stanley Cup champions, and dynamic forwards, Eriksson Ek might be Sweden’s most important player at the Olympics. While the Tre Kronor have plenty of offensive talent, going toe-to-toe in a scoring contest with heavyweights Canada and USA won’t be their priority. Enter Eriksson Ek — an unheralded, tenacious, two-way weapon that has the tools to frustrate and shut down the world’s best. He has comfortably maintained a positive on-ice 5-on-5 goal differential for the Minnesota Wild each of the last seven seasons, earning Selke votes every year since 2020-21. At the 4 Nations Face-Off, Eriksson Ek’s late goal forced overtime in the opener against Canada. If Sweden wins a medal, expect the Wild’s best-kept secret to be its breakout star — his relentless, grinding style should be a model for all teams to embrace in a short, win-or-go-home event on the global stage. – Paul Pidutti

SWITZERLAND: Leonardo Genoni, G 

Most NHL fans aren’t familiar with Genoni. But anyone who follows international hockey knows how great he is. At 38, he shows no signs of slowing down with EV Zug. In fact, he’s still one of the top goalies in Switzerland. He’s a former NL MVP who has won the league title seven times and the Spengler Cup twice and has three silver medals at the World Championship. Genoni is coming off one of the greatest goaltending performances in tournament history, registering a .953 SV% and four shutouts through seven games back in May. So, yeah, he’s excellent, and he should have the leg up over Akira Schmid, even with Schmid’s NHL gig in Vegas. Switzerland will need excellent goaltending since they won’t have as much offensive depth as others in their own group. Genoni is absolutely capable of it. – Steven Ellis

USA: Matt Boldy, F

The USA brain trust loves the idea of a team of All-Stars playing simple, north-south hockey at 1000 mph, but there will be times during this tournament that they’ll need a moment or two of individual inspiration to avoid OT and a potential upset. I like Boldy, who was excellent on Dylan Larkin’s wing at the 4 Nations, to be the guy who produces those. Don’t let the babyface fool you; Boldly is an absolute bull with the puck on his stick, a combination of strength and stickhandling who can drag defenders wherever he wants to go, which is usually the blue paint. Unlike Jack Hughes or Kyle Connor, Boldy’s at no risk of losing ice time in close games over defensive concerns, either. His irresistible drives to the net and improved finishing touch (his 32 G in 54 GP are already a career high) could bust tight contests open for a U.S. team that’s drawn criticism for leaving some of its most creative players at home. – Anthony Trudeau

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