Penguins Exclusive: Erik Karlsson Hopeful for Second Olympic Run

PITTSBURGH – While the Pittsburgh Penguins were away on their bye week, it was announced that NHL players would be permitted to represent their countries again at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano, Italy, and again in 2030. Before 2026, however, the NHL also announced the creation of the Four Nations Face-Off, an international tournament featuring the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland.

The tournament may not see every country represented in the NHL, but a few key Penguins are likely in the conversation to compete in 2025.

One of those players is defenseman Erik Karlsson, a native of Sweden. Coming off a 101-point season, Karlsson hasn’t had the same luck in his first year with the Penguins, but he can still be seen as one of the best Swedish defensemen in the league, and he’s excited for a new opportunity to don the Tre Kroner.

“I’m happy that it’s back. I’m sad it had to be eight years in between,” Karlsson said. “A lot of us missed a lot of opportunities to do something that we grew up dreaming about doing. It’s nice that it’s finally back, and hopefully, it’s here to stay.”

NHL players missed their chance to compete in the 2018 and 2022 Olympics, some of the prime years of Karlsson’s Hall of Fame career. In 2014, 23-year-old Karlsson and Team Sweden took home the silver medal, losing to Sidney Crosby and Team Canada in the gold medal game.

While losing in the gold medal game stung at the time, Karlsson is still proud of what he achieved in 2014.

“I have great memories from all the times I’ve played for the national team,” Karlsson said. “To be able to have the silver, even though we did lose, it was a special moment and something I hope I get to be a part of again.”

Now 33 years old, one could argue that the prime of Karlsson’s career is behind him. The last time he saw an Olympic sheet of ice, he was just 23 and still sprouting as an elite talent. The next time the Olympics arrive, he will be 35 and likely on the back end of his career.

At that age and with the heaps of young talent coming from European countries, Karlsson is hopeful he can get one last chance to compete at the Olympic level.

“I’m hoping that I am healthy and doing well by ’26 to get another chance at it,” Karlsson said. “I missed two opportunities already; there’s not that many left.”

Before the Olympics kick off in two years, the NHL will host the Four Nations Face-Off almost as a teaser of international play. While big hockey-crazy countries like Czechia, Russia, and Germany won’t be involved, players are hopeful it’s just the start of more regular and inclusive tournaments.