The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games are officially in the books. All the players are returning to their NHL homes for medical checks and to resume their regular seasons. Matthew Tkachuk is the only Panther from Team USA to win gold, while Sam Reinhart, Brad Marchand, and Sam Bennett of Team Canada claimed silver. Niko Mikkola, Anton Lundell, and Eetu Luostarinen of Team Finland took home bronze. In total, seven Panthers earned Olympic medals: one gold, three silver, and three bronze.
GOLD
On Monday, Feb. 23, the USA Olympic men’s hockey team arrived at Miami International Airport. Matthew Tkachuk was welcomed home with fans eager for photos, and he took time to talk to bloggers and media.
Matthew Tkachuk, 28, added an Olympic gold to his two Stanley Cups, finishing the Winter Games with six assists, 12 penalty minutes, a +5 rating, and 16 shots in six games. He ranked #4 in penalties and #26 in shots.
That same night, one of the most popular local clubs, E11even Miami, hosted a party to honor Team USA Hockey's Olympic gold medal win. The location was not a random choice. The Florida Panthers famously celebrated their back-to-back Stanley Cup championship there. However, the only thing that might have kept local sports fans from joining the celebration was the $543.26 entry fee that was listed on the club's website.
SILVER
Becoming an Olympian is a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience. For some players, like the Panthers’ current points leader (27G, 55P), Sam Reinhart, being added to a roster in the first row is a natural career advancement. For others, it comes through rough patches and disappointments, as it did for Brad Marchand after not being selected for the 2014 Team Canada, and for Sam Bennett after being left off the 2026 Canada’s original roster. All three joined their national team in Italy and earned silver in a hard-fought matchup against Team USA. For the first time in 46 years, the Americans won the Olympic gold, after beating their Canadian rivals 2-1 in overtime. Despite not achieving their desired outcome, the silver medalists battled hard. The Florida Panthers’ trio didn’t get as much ice time as the Edmonton Oilers captain, Connor McDavid, or the 19-year-old phenomenon Macklin Celebrini, but they should be proud of themselves. Reinhart, Marchand, and Bennett had a few chances to be on the ice together, including one shift in their Olympic debut against the Czechs (5-0). Here are the Canadian Cats’ stats:
Sam Reinhart: 1 goal, 1 assist, +1 in 6 games.
Brad Marchand: 1 assist, +1 in 4 games.
Sam Bennett: 1 assist, 6 PIM, 48.6% FO, +2 in 5 games, #11 among penalized players.
The Canadian national team, like the gold medalists, landed at Miami International Airport on Monday. They were diverted because of inclement weather in New York. The Panthers players won’t complain about joining their families and teammates sooner. Sliding back into the season, the Panthers' focus turns to health and continued success. Although Marchand missed two games in the preliminary round at the Olympics and 10 matchups before going to Italy due to a lingering injury, the excitement and motivation from the Olympics could fuel his return for the rest of the season. If he is healthy enough...
BRONZE
Team Finland overcame early challenges in the tournament and ultimately reached the podium, defeating Team Slovakia 6-1.
Niko Mikkola led plus/minus at +9 and tallied 3 assists in six games. Anton Lundell had 1 goal, 2 points, and +3 and won 54% of faceoffs in five games. Eetu Luostarinen contributed 4 assists and +4 in six games.
The Panthers’ Finnish captain, Sasha Barkov, a three-time Selke winner, missed the 2026 Winter Games due to injury. He continues to work on his conditioning and supports his second-favorite sport. While his teammates competed internationally, Barkov attended a local tennis tournament and shared some comments with a local tennis media outlet.
The Olympic experience, bitter or sweet, is something players will remember and share with their families and fans. For now, the reality check is harsh. The Florida Panthers are 14th in the Eastern Conference with 61 points in 57 games. Sooner or later, Bill Zito, the Panthers’ General Manager and an Assistant GM for the 2026 U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team, will have to make crucial decisions about the Panthers’ near-future plans.
The Panthers will host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, Feb. 26, at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.