Exclusive: Mike Goldberg Calls NHL’s Olympic Return ‘Must-See TV’ Ahead of Milano Cortina 2026

Former NHL broadcaster Mike Goldberg shared his thoughts on NHL players returning to the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014. 

Goldberg explained the significance of Olympic hockey and the quality of play when fans witness a best-on-best showcase in international competition.

In an exclusive conversation produced in collaboration with The Game Plan, Goldberg opened up about Canada and Team USA renewing their rivalry, last year’s NHL 4 Nations Face-Off tournament serving as an Olympic preview, and the pressure on American forward Auston Matthews’ shoulders. 

The Canada-USA rivalry is still alive and well, especially with both teams featuring generational stars. Goldberg noted that the NHL’s presence at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics could ultimately grow the league and the sport of hockey as a whole. 

“I’m excited. Look at how successful and how competitive the 4 Nations was,” Goldberg told SportsBoom.us. 

“To bring it back to the [NHL players] playing in the Olympics, it’s must-see TV for a hockey fan and for many others.” 

“It will bring a lot more hockey fans into the fold.”

MACKLIN CELEBRINI IS AN EMERGING STAR FOR CANADA

Team Canada boasts a star-studded roster. Among them is San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini. 

The 19-year-old was selected by the Sharks first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, and he has already made a strong impact. 

Celebrini has earned significant praise from many in the hockey community, including Goldberg, who remains a diehard Sharks fan. 

“In a full NHL players Olympic year, for [Celebrini] to become the first teenager to play for Team Canada, I’m very excited,” Goldberg said. 

“It’s gonna be tough to root against him, but then again, I was born in the United States of America.”

“Celebrini is something very special, so I’m excited for [him], especially being such a Sharks fan.” 

Goldberg praised Celebrini as a generational player and compared him to established Canadian stars Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid.

“If you watch Macklin in the way he skates and his acceleration and the moves, and the crossovers, it’s very similar to Connor McDavid,” he said. 

“McDavid has the upper-hand right now; he’s also six to seven years older. But that’s how I see it from a hockey perspective. And that’s how everybody who is an NHL fan or a hockey fan sees it, especially the experts.” 

“The kid is 19 years old in his second [NHL] season and he’s consistently been in the top-5 in scoring,” Goldberg added.

AUSTON MATTHEWS TO LEAD TEAM USA TO GLORY

While there is plenty of excitement surrounding Team Canada’s roster, significant pressure rests on Auston Matthews to lead Team USA to a gold medal. 

Team USA have not won Olympic gold in men’s hockey since 1980.

Matthews has faced criticism throughout his NHL career for being unable to lead his team to a win in meaningful games. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs captain is a talented goal scorer. However, he has yet to reach a Stanley Cup final or win gold in an international tournament.

The Leafs star’s defensive awareness was blamed for what ultimately led to Canada’s overtime-winning goal in last year’s 4 Nations tournament final. 

Despite that, Goldberg remains optimistic about Team USA’s chances at the Olympics. He stated that Matthews has a strong supporting cast that determined to win gold. 

“Other than [the 4 Nations criticism], to have Matthews as an American and a leader, he’s going to be surrounded by the greatest American players,” Goldberg said. 

“If you’re going in there as a Team USA fan, I’m really hoping, and I’m a believer that, Auston Matthews will play well and will make a difference.”