Best-on-best hockey returns to the world stage on Wednesday in Italy. Twelve countries will try to stake their claim as the top hockey nation on the planet, and the Carolina Hurricanes are right in the thick of it. To preview the Winter Games, we'll be taking a look at each of the three groups through its ties to the Hurricanes.
Group A, which features Canada, Czechia, Switzerland, and France, didn't include an active member of the Hurricanes' roster until almost 5 pm on Thursday. That all changed with Seth Jarvis's late addition to the Canadian roster. Now, four players with Carolina ties of some kind will battle in the group, with Jarvis and Canada sitting with major targets on their backs.
Three former Hurricanes will take aim at Jarvis, Canada
Both Czechia and Switzerland appear positioned to challenge Canada for the top spot in the group. The Swiss team, featuring former Hurricane Nino Niederreiter, could be a sleeper pick to advance far. Niederreiter spent three-and-a-half seasons with the Canes, becoming affectionately known as the Swiss Missile. He scored 69 goals and 137 points in 234 games, and 12 more points in the playoffs.
Czechia has two former Canes on its roster. Martin Necas is the more notable name. He amassed nearly 300 points with the team before being a main piece of Colorado's return for Mikko Rantanen. Denver has been a perfect fit for him, with Necas signing an extension this season. The Czechs also have Ondrej Kase, who was injured in the 2022-23 opener, which proved to be his final NHL game.
However, the class of the group is expected to be Canada. Seth Jarvis probably won't play a prominent role in Team Canada's game plan, but he is one of their most versatile assets. He can be deployed in every situation, though I'd guess that his value on the penalty kill will be what is appreciated most. Any amount of ice time would be great and deserved for Jarvis.
Bland Prediction: Canada sweeps its way to the top of Group A
Up until Thursday night, most Caniacs in the United States were ready to hate-watch Canada's games after leaving Jarvis off the roster. Obviously, that might've changed a little. I won't say that it's impossible for Czechia or Switzerland to dethrone Canada, but it's hard to imagine right now. Canada has the most skilled lineup in the group, making them an easy choice to win all three group games.
However, they aren't a perfect roster. Their goaltending remains their biggest question mark, even after Jordan Binnington's performance at the 4 Nations last February. He hasn't inspired much confidence with his numbers during the regular season, which leaves the door open for Logan Thompson or Darcy Kuemper to swoop in and usurp him as the starter.
Regardless, Canada has the type of roster that can outscore most of its defensive shortcomings. There's a strong possibility that they'll be the #1 team coming out of the group stage, with the United States, Sweden, and Finland all potentially in that fight as well. The Canadians will be a popular pick to bring home the gold, but it starts with a big group performance.
Bold Prediction: Necas leads Czechia in points
Martin Necas has represented Czechia on the world stage several times. He participated in the World Juniors, and he has been part of two World Championship teams. After the Canes had been eliminated from the playoffs in 2024, Necas joined Czechia as they hosted the World Championships. In five games, he recorded seven points to help his side win the gold.
Despite only playing in half of the games, Necas was tied for fourth on that 2024 team in points. Without knowing exactly how Czechia will align for the tournament, there's a chance that Necas is playing on the opposite wing of David Pastrnak, though both are right shots. At the very least, they'll be on Czechia's top power play. With this in mind, Necas will be one to watch for the Czechs.