Solid Shots
Andrei Svechnikov & Dmitry Orlov, Russia*
You'll notice the asterisk next to Russia. Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few years, Russian participation in IIHF-sanctioned events has been barred due to the ongoing political situation and the war in Ukraine. No official decision has been made about whether Russia will be competing in 2026, with France designated to take Russia's place if the ban remains.
I'm not here to say whether I think Russia should be allowed to compete or not. If they were to compete, Andrei Svechnikov and Dmitry Orlov would be shoe-ins for the Russian team. Svechnikov has evolved into a reliable scorer during his seven seasons with the Hurricanes. He'd be a good addition to their Top 6 or 9.
The Russian defensive group is light, and Dmitry Orlov is among the best options for the country to play on the back end. He's third among current Russian defensemen in scoring this season with 24 points. Assuming the Russians are allowed to field a team for the games, both Hurricanes should be locks, but the country's uncertain status gives me pause.