5 NHL Teams Poised for Turnaround After Olympics

Hellebuyck, Hughes can spark Jets, Devils; Panthers, Sharks remain in playoff hunt

Feb. 24, 2026 at 10:18pm

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NHL.com's fantasy staff identifies five NHL teams that could turn their seasons around after the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina. The Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, and Winnipeg Jets are highlighted as potential turnaround teams based on key players returning from the Olympics and strong underlying metrics.

Why it matters

The NHL season is entering the home stretch, and these five teams have the talent and opportunity to make a push for the playoffs after the Olympic break. Standout performances by players like Matthew Tkachuk, Jack Hughes, and Macklin Celebrini at the Olympics could provide a much-needed boost for their respective teams as they look to overcome early-season struggles and secure postseason berths.

The details

The Florida Panthers are getting Matthew Tkachuk back from injury, and he had a strong showing at the Olympics. The Nashville Predators will lean on goalie Juuse Saros and their Olympic participants like Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg. The New Jersey Devils are hoping Jack Hughes' gold medal-winning performance can ignite their playoff push. The San Jose Sharks are led by the young duo of Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, along with other Olympic standouts. And the Winnipeg Jets are counting on Connor Hellebuyck's Vezina Trophy-caliber goaltending and the return of Kyle Connor to turn their season around.

  • The 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina took place in February 2026.
  • The NHL regular season is entering the home stretch, with teams having around 26 games remaining.

The players

Matthew Tkachuk

A forward for the Florida Panthers who missed the start of the NHL season due to injuries but had a strong showing at the Olympics, recording six assists and 16 shots on goal in six games to help the United States win the gold medal.

Juuse Saros

The starting goaltender for the Nashville Predators, who had an impressive performance at the Olympics, going 4-2 with a .940 save percentage and one shutout in six games for Finland.

Jack Hughes

The star forward for the New Jersey Devils, who scored the 'Golden Goal' in the United States' gold medal game victory against Canada and had seven points (four goals, three assists) and 15 shots on goal in six games at the Olympics.

Macklin Celebrini

A 19-year-old forward for the San Jose Sharks, who led the entire Olympic tournament in goals (five) and shots on goal (28) and was second in points (10 in six games) behind Connor McDavid.

Connor Hellebuyck

The elite goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets, who helped the United States win the gold medal at the Olympics by leading the tournament in save percentage (.956) and stopping 41 of 42 shots faced in the gold medal game.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

These five NHL teams have the talent and potential to make a significant turnaround in the second half of the season, thanks to the strong performances of their key players at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. With the playoffs in sight, these teams will be looking to capitalize on the momentum and experience gained by their Olympic standouts to secure postseason berths and potentially make deep runs.