Team Finland head coach reveals news on Aleksander Barkov and Connor McDavid may not like it
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Sam Walker
Feb 19, 2026 (9:53)
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Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Antti Pennanen just named Connor McDavid the best player at the Olympics, and he’s already calling Aleksander Barkov for anti-McDavid homework.
Pennanen said he should “call Sasha” for advice on slowing McDavid down, and he sounded only half kidding about it. The problem for Canada is that Finland is serious about any edge.
McDavid has lit up Milano Cortina early, stacking points and turning shifts into track meets. When the captain gets downhill, even clean gaps on the blue line look fake.
That’s why Pennanen bringing Barkov into the conversation matters. Barkov is still Finland’s gold standard for taking away time and space.
Here’s the twist: Barkov isn’t even in this tournament. Finland’s own roster announcement confirmed he’s out for the season with a knee injury.
So Pennanen can’t deploy him between the dots, but he can still borrow the brain. Barkov knows how to steer elite centers into bad ice without chasing.
McDavid has been racking up points, including a three point day in Canada’s 10-2 win over France.
Finland’s staff knows you do not “stop” that, you narrow the lanes. You force chips, you live with outside looks, and you protect the middle like it’s a power play kill.
Aleksander Barkov still shapes Team Finland plans
Finns fans are going to grin at this, because it feels like classic Finland, calm, stubborn, and already plotting the next chess move.
If Barkov’s advice is about details, expect layered support under the puck. Think a center hovering low, with quick sticks from the weak side winger.
Pennanen also hinted at using the right people for the job, and Finland has options even without Barkov. The whole identity leans toward structure first.
For Canada, the warning is simple. The more McDavid cooks, the more Finland will slow the game down and dare the refs to call everything.
If these teams cross paths in the medal round, it won’t be about highlight reels. It’ll be about patience, puck management, and whose stars accept the grind.
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Sam Bennett confirms his status for the remainder of the Olympics after missing Team Canada's quarterfinals
Sam Bennett confirms his status for the remainder of the Olympics after missing Team Canada's quarterfinals
Previously on Sunrise Hockey Insider