MILAN, Italy, February 11, 2026 – For many of the world's best hockey players, the 2026 Milan Olympics are the pinnacle of their sport. For a select group of former National Hockey League (NHL) players competing here, the Games represent something more urgent: a final, high-stakes opportunity to earn a return to the world's most elite league.
As The Athletic reports, a wave of accomplished European players, now starring in their home leagues, are using this global stage to remind NHL general managers of their value. Headlining this group are forwards like Germany's Dominik Kahun, the Czech Republic's Dominik Kubalik, and Slovakia's Tomáš Tatar—all of whom have NHL experience and are now in their 30s, knowing their window to go back is closing fast.
The '2018 Effect' and a Second Chance
The precedent was set in PyeongChang 2018, the last Winter Olympics, from which the NHL withdrew. Then-unknown Dominik Kahun used the tournament to launch his NHL career, leading to a contract with Chicago. Now 30 and playing in Switzerland, Kahun is back with the German national team, hoping history repeats itself.
"You never know what can happen," Kahun told The Athletic. "I'm just coming with a free mind. I'm always trying to do my best. But if the team does well, it's good for everybody individually."
He is not alone. Dominik Kubalik, a 30-year-old former 30-goal scorer and Calder Trophy finalist with Chicago, is now dominating the Swiss league. He sees Milan as a platform to prove his NHL caliber remains intact.
"I can't say I want to prove people wrong," Kubalik said. "But obviously you would like to have a good tournament and make them think, 'You know what? He's still capable of doing this.'"
Pride and the Pitch
While players unanimously stress that team success and national pride come first, the individual opportunity is undeniable. Tomáš Tatar, who played 927 NHL games, signed with Zug in Switzerland last May but admitted the allure of a return is ever-present. Rūdolfs Balcers of Latvia, who last played for Tampa Bay in 2023, was direct: "If there were another opportunity for me to go overseas and try it again, I would do that, for sure. This is a big stage with all the best players. You want to showcase your best."
Even those hesitant to voice the dream acknowledge the subtext. Czech winger Ondřej Kaše, 30, paused for several seconds when asked if he hoped to return to North America, calling it a "very tough question."
The Long Shot
The path back to the NHL for these veterans is steep. Most are considered long shots. But as The Athletic's Mark Lazerus notes, the Olympics offer something no European league game can: the world is watching. For one week, they compete against (and alongside) the very best, on a level playing field.
"For former NHLers in Milan, the Olympics are a last chance to earn one more opportunity," the report states. For Dominik Kahun and his peers, the puck is about to drop on their biggest audition in four years.
