The Winter Olympics are almost upon us, and as an avid hockey fan, the men’s hockey competition is all I can focus on. This is because of four words: best-on-best hockey.

The 2026 Olympics will mark the first time since the 2014 Sochi Olympics that NHL players will be allowed to represent their countries—and if you ask me, this change is for the better.

Having professional players in the Olympics will automatically improve the quality of play. Last year, the NHL gave us a taste of what’s in store by way of the Four-Nations Faceoff. A round-robin tournament featuring the USA, Canada, Sweden, and Finland, the faceoff gave fans a week of thrilling competition and an instant classic in the final—Connor McDavid had his Sidney Crosby moment, scoring in overtime to lift Canada over the United States.

Moments like those are what makes best-on-best hockey so great. Representing your country is a special thing. Every single athlete will be performing at their peak, guaranteeing that the fans can expect the highest level of competition.

The competition this year will likely be a repeat of the Four-Nations Faceoff. The USA and Canada are a level above other contenders like Sweden, Finland, and Czechia. Canada has geared up with a roster of stars, including the aforementioned Crosby and McDavid, current NHL goals leader Nathan MacKinnon, and reigning best defender Cale Makar.

Not to be outdone, the USA is bringing its own all-star cast. The best goalie in the world, Connor Hellybuck, will be between the pipes. The forward group includes the talismanic Tkatchuk brothers, and a defense headlined by all-stars Quinn Hughes and Zach Werenski.

Nothing could be better for the NHL than the return of best-on-best hockey. Every game will be a sterling advertisement for the league, exposing the world to hockey at the highest level.

The Olympics has given hockey fans countless iconic moments, and I can’t wait to see what this year’s competition has in store.