With the Milan Cortina Olympics just weeks away, several NHL stars face uncertain participation due to injuries. Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson is out 3-5 weeks with a thigh injury, putting his Team Sweden spot in doubt. Meanwhile, Canadian star Brayden Point is on injured reserve after a scary knee incident, and U.S. defenseman Seth Jones remains sidelined with an upper-body issue.

These injuries hit teams hard as NHL participation returns for the first time since 2014. Players fought for Olympic inclusion in the CBA, making these events a career pinnacle. For nations like Sweden and Canada, losing key contributors like Carlsson and Point could reshape roster strategies and medal calculations in a tournament where every star matters.

The coming weeks will be critical for recovery timelines. Teams must balance NHL playoff races with Olympic dreams, creating complex decisions for both clubs and national federations. The health of these players will directly influence which nations can field their strongest lineups in Milan, adding another layer of drama to the Olympic hockey narrative.