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Why 2 of Rangers biggest stars likely won’t play in 2026 Winter Olympics
By Jim Cerny,
2 days ago
Danny Wild-Imagn Images Danny Wild-Imagn Images
When the 2026 Milan Olympics roll around, two of the New York Rangers biggest stars likely will be on the outside looking in at the best-on-best tournament taking place on the biggest international stage.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed as much in an interview with The Athletic this week, when he stated that he doesn’t believe Russia will be allowed to participate in the next Winter Olympics due to its invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war.
“People are assuming, really, it’s kind of already been made unless there’s a drastic change in the course of events,” Daly explained. “The Summer Olympics, they did not allow Russian team participation, unlike some of the other models that they’ve adopted in the past. So, I would expect that same rule will apply.”
That leaves Igor Shesterkin and Artemi Panarin on the sidelines. Each would be a no-brainer addition to the roster if Russia participated.
Shesterkin and Panarin will also miss out on the 4 Nations Face-Off in February because Russia is not included in that tournament either. Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States will take part in the 4 Nations Tournament, which is the first best-on-best hockey tournament featuring NHL players since the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.
NHL players have not participated in the Winter Games since the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Neither Shesterkin nor Panarin have represented Russia in the Olympics. But Panarin did play in the most recent World Cup, when the forward had two points (goal, assist) in four games with Russia, which lost in the semifinals to Canada.
Daly confirmed that the NHL plans to have its players participate in the 2026 Olympics, 2028 World Cup of Hockey, 2030 Olympics and 2032 World Cup of Hockey. So, is it possible Russia could be included in 2028 at the World Cup?
“Well, I mean, we haven’t thought that far ahead because the situation is so dynamic,” Daly said. “In large part we would see where the international community is with respect to Russian participation and competition. That won’t be a determining factor for us, but it would be probably somewhat persuasive depending on what the situation is. I don’t want to rule out anything. I don’t want to rule in anything.”
Time may not be on Panarin’s side to take part in an Olympics for his country. He will be 38 in 2030, with no guarantee Russia will participate in the tournament. Panarin took part in two World Hockey Championships with his country and the 2016 World Cup.
In 672 NHL games, Panarin has 781 points (265 goals, 516 assists). One of the most dynamic players in the sport, Panarin had an NHL career-high 120 points (49 goals, 79 assists) last season, fourth in the NHL and second most in Rangers history behind Jaromir Jagr in 2005-06 (123 points).
Shesterkin won the Vezina Trophy in 2021-22 as the top NHL goalie and was recently ranked as the best goaltender in the League by NHL Network. The 28-year-old has a better chance than Panarin of representing his country in the Olympics one day because of his age. But it’s a shame he won’t be able to do so now considering he’s in the prime of his career,
Twice over the years, Shesterkin has been able to play for Russia on the international stage. In 2015 he helped Russia win the silver medal at the World Junior Championship; and he also played for his country in the 2018 World Championship.
Looking ahead to the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Rangers already have two players participating. Defenseman Adam Fox was one of the first six players named to the United States roster and center Mika Zibanejad was one of the first selected by Sweden.
Other Rangers who could be selected to final rosters for that tournament include Alexis Lafreniere (Canada), Kaapo Kakko (Finland), and Vincent Trocheck, K’Andre Miller and Chris Kreider (United States).
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