The men’s tournament at the Olympics really got cranked up on Thursday. Even though there weren’t any Blackhawks on the ice, the hockey was pretty good. Canada won their game by a comfortable margin, even if the first period was closer than the final would make you think. The United States scored seven goals but only won 5-1 because Latvia’s video coach played the best defense on the team.
This goal from the USA is exactly what you want to see in a best-on-best in the entire world tournament. Crisp, precise passing with a finish. Absolutely gorgeous.
This is what “best-on-best” in the world type shit should look like Damn pic.twitter.com/xpd0M3Tm3B
— Tab Bamford (@The1Tab) February 12, 2026Here’s your men’s Olympic hockey schedule for Friday:
Finland (0-1) vs. Sweden (1-0) — 5:10 AM CT Italy (0-1) vs. Slovakia (1-0) — 5:10 AM France (0-1) vs. Czechia (0-1) — 9:40 AM Canada (1-0) vs. Switzerland (1-0) — 2:10 PM Even though they got steamrolled by the US, teenage Latvian defenseman Alberts Šmits was pretty impressive. He was minus-one in 17:57 on the ice and looked like he belongs — which, again, is pretty impressive from a player who turned 18 in early December and is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. I had Šmits at No. 6 in my top 50 draft rankings earlier this week. A strong Olympics could see him climb into top-five pick consideration — if he wasn’t already there. I wasn’t the only person impressed with his effort on Thursday.Alberts Smits out here running a top Olympic power play unit like this is normal for an 18-year-oldThis kid belongs.
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) February 12, 2026Alberts Smits (2026) has played 12:48 through two periods for Latvia in his Olympic debut against USA. That’s fourth amongst their D. Has held his own, too.
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) February 12, 2026 Good read here from Mark Lazerus in Italy on the future of Russia in international best-on-best events.NEW: The NHL — wary of taking any sort of political stand — will continue to defer to the international sporting community when it comes to Russia. So for now, they wouldn't be in the 2028 World Cup.More from Gary Bettman, Marty Walsh and Luc Tardif: t.co/kLmtU9uI2Q
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) February 12, 2026 The only Blackhawks prospect in action last night was AJ Spellacy with Windsor. He had this nice assist on a goal from 2026 draft-eligible forward Ethan Belchetz last night.Spellacy Sauces Belchetz BuriesThe @SpitsHockey have now scored four unanswered goals to lead 4-2 in the second!#NHLDraft | #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/enHgKuIASO
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 13, 2026 Nice read here from Seth Rorabaugh for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Penguins defenseman Ryan Shea. If the name rings a small, quiet bell in the back of your mind as a Blackhawks fan, it should. The Hawks drafted Shea in the fourth round in 2015. He played another USHL season and then four at Northeastern after being drafted, then signed with Dallas and then went on to Pittsburgh. He’s got a chance to more than double his career NHL games played this season. A reminder: defensemen take time to develop. And it isn’t always a 1-3 year proposition.“Pittsburgh’s been the one spot that’s given me opportunity and kind of let me grow in my position. … This is the spot that I want to be, and this is the spot that allowed me to play to myself.”On Ryan Shea finding his spot with the Penguins: t.co/PxoFDe50Io
— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) February 12, 2026 James Murphy at RG Media wrote a good piece on the state of affairs in Columbus. He writes that the Blue Jackets are working on extensions for forwards Charlie Coyle, Mason Marchment and captain Boone Jenner — effectively taking them off the trade market. They reportedly want to make a push for the playoffs, which would theoretically make them potential buyers before the trade deadline. The Blackhawks spin here: those three off the market is an opportunity improvement for the Blackhawks if/when they start shopping their forwards. It also makes me wonder about the Blue Jackets potentially having interest in current Blackhawks — and offseason Columbus residents — Nick Foligno and/or Connor Murphy.Multiple NHL sources tell RG that Columbus is working to extend Charlie Coyle, Mason Marchment and Boone Jenner — and they’re off the trade market.Don Waddell is set to begin talks next week as the Blue Jackets push for the playoffs.Full story t.co/Dm9yKRIB0R
— RG (@TheRGMedia) February 12, 2026Blackhawks Prospect Watch
OHLErie at Brantford — 7 PM CTKitchener at Kingston — 7:05 PM WHLKamloops at Prince George — 9 PMBlackhawks College Prospects: Providence is HOT, BU Needs Wins, Light Schedule #blackhawks t.co/IzXmoEluiG
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) February 12, 2026BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad Free | Subscribe to the BN Newsletter
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