The stage is set for the conclusion of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Canada and the USA will play for Gold while Slovakia and Finland for Bronze.
It has been a great start for the new NHL era at the Olympics with plenty of drama and storylines as true best-on-best hockey finally returns. These Olympics have seen debuts for stars that we were robbed of watching for years on the international stage like Edmonton Oilers stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and some farewells for others, like Sidney Crosby and Roman Josi.
The Olympics have also been a stage where some players not under NHL contracts have taken the opportunity to shine. Given the Oilers interest in the international market for free agents with recent examples like; Viljami Marjala, Josh Samanski, Atro Leppanen, and David Tomasek, it is a worthwhile avenue to take a look at.
Filip Chlapik
The Czech forward Filip Chlapik has NHL experience, playing 57 games with the Ottawa Senators over the course of four years. He never stuck with the club but was mainly utilized as a bottom-six depth centre when he was called up from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Belleville Senators.
He has spent the past five years in Europe, playing in his home country of Czechia and in Switzerland as well. He has been a consistent point-per-game player since going back over, showing some offensive potential. This is even more evident with his three points (two goals, one assist) in four games with Czechia at the Olympics.
Despite signing a contract until 2029, there is the possibility of his deal containing an NHL out-clause and should he return to North America, he has the potential to fill a depth role. The Oilers, who have a clear need for offensive ability within their bottom-six, could be a good fit for him and he is a player who the Oilers should at least consider.
Adam Ruzicka
The soon-to-be 27 year old Slovak powerforward Adam Ruzicka also has NHL experience, but left the league for reasons beyond his play. During his brief career in the show, he showed signs of becoming a valuable piece to an NHL forward group. In 117 games he scored 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points. In his second last season in the league, as a Calgary Flame he scored 20 points in 44 games before being placed on waivers the following year and was claimed by the Arizona Coyotes before getting his contract terminated.
Ruzicka has since joined Spartak Moscow of the KHL where he scord 45 points (26 goals, 19 assists) in 65 games in 2024-25 and so far 40 points (16 goals, 24 assists) in 48 games this season. He also played for his home country of Slovakia at the Olympics this year, scoring two goals and three assists for five points in five games.
He already has a history of success at the NHL level and since he was dropped mainly due to off-ice issues, he could still be a useful player in the NHL. A team like the Oilers have shown a willingness to look beyond off-ice antics (Evander Kane, Corey Perry, and general manager Stan Bowman) and if they think Ruzicka could provide scoring depth, he could be a player the Oilers pursue if he would be allowed to join the team.
Frederik Dichow
The Oilers already have a fairly strong pipeline in goal but the Danish goaltender Frederik Dichow could be an interesting addition. Although Ruzicka and Chlapik have NHL games played, Dichow does not but he was a draft choice of the Montreal Canadiens in 2019. He has spent most of his career since being drafted by the Canadiens in Sweden, he has played at both the Hockey Allsvenskan and SHL level.
He has found legitimate success at either level, logging 28 games with the Allsvenskan with an 18-9-0 record and a .930 save percentage. In the SHL, he has played 61 games with a 21-33-0 record and a .897 save percentage. The south-paw goalie has shown the ability to rise as well, having played 12 games in relegation series' and has an 8-4-0 record with a .938 save percentage.
Dichow could be an interesting depth goalie who will be only 25 by the end of the season. Goalies have shown the ability to hit their stride later in their development cycle than many skaters. If the Oilers feel the need to make wide sweeping changes in goal this off-season, Dichow could be an interesting goalie to bring into the mix for at least organizational depth.