Victor Hedman names Sweden’s top need for Olympics quarterfinal berth originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It is now win-or-go home time for Team Sweden at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Coach Sam Hallam may have a wealth of NHL players in their roster but rough shifts have now snowballed into possibly having their worst run since 2002. Obviously, they want to keep the hunt for the gold medal rolling. Tampa Bay Lightning veteran and Team Sweden star Victor Hedman pinpointed what they will need to improve on to beat Latvia.

Advertisement

Physicality has to increase so Sweden stays alive

On paper, Swede should be steamrolling a lot of teams because they are in the mix of having top NHL talent alongside Canada and USA. Since they are slowly sinking and are a loss away from elimination, there needs to be some changes. Coach Hallam will obviously have tweaks in the shifts but this might not be enough to fully secure the win against Latvia.

Hedman posits that they need to be more physical in order to get to the Olympics quarterfinal, via Nicholas J. Costonika of NHL.com.

“They’re physical. They play with their hearts. You look on paper, we’re probably favorites to win the game, but at the end of the day, it’s the best team that wins. We’ve got to go out there and be the best team. We know that our individual skill can take over a game, but at the same time, we can’t take it easy on certain things. … I’m sure we’re going to be ready to go,” the Lightning and Team Sweden veteran declared.

Advertisement

These two squads last faced each other in 2025 at Worlds. Back then, Sweden had total control of the game which led to an insane 6-0 stomp in the preliminary rounds. So, Hedman along with the other Team Sweden players know exactly what they are facing. Rasmus Dahlin agreed with the Lightning and Team Sweden veteran. He even echoed the same sentiments.

“They grind. They make it hard for the other team, and then they’ve got some skill too. It won’t be easy. We’re going to have to really bring our ‘A’ game, that’s for sure,” the Team Sweden defenseman declared.

There is much at stake for Coach Hallam, Dahlin, and Hedman in this do-or-die Olympics elimination game. Will they be able to match Latvia’s physicality to go deeper at Milano Cortina?

More NHL and Olympics Hockey News: