Could injury to Anaheim Ducks star open Olympic door to NY Islanders forward?

The Olympic picture for Sweden may have just shifted — and that shift could create an unexpected opening for New York Islanders forward Emil Heineman.

Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson is expected to miss three to five weeks after undergoing a procedure to address a rare left-thigh injury, a Morel-Lavallée lesion. The timeline puts Carlsson’s availability for Olympic preparation in serious doubt and forces Sweden’s selection staff to begin contingency planning sooner than expected.

Carlsson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, was widely viewed as a near-lock for Sweden’s Olympic roster after a dominant start to the season with the Ducks, where he piled up 38 points in his first 29 games. Even with a recent scoring lull, his two-way ceiling and pedigree made him a natural fit down the middle. But Olympic tournaments are unforgiving on timelines, and health certainty matters as much as upside.

That’s where Heineman enters the conversation.

The 24-year-old winger has quietly built a strong case with the Islanders after being acquired in the Noah Dobson deal, carving out a reliable middle-six role that blends pace, physicality, and defensive responsibility. Through 47 games, Heineman has a career-high 14 goals and 8 assists, and has displayed a game that translates well to short international tournaments: he forechecks hard, finishes checks, kills penalties, and can slide up or down a lineup without disrupting chemistry. For Sweden, those traits are often just as valuable as pure scoring.

If Carlsson’s recovery lingers or limits his readiness, Sweden may prioritize roster flexibility and certainty — opening the door for players already in rhythm and trusted in defined roles. Heineman fits that profile cleanly. He doesn’t need power-play minutes to be effective, and his north-south style complements Sweden’s traditionally skill-heavy top lines.

Injuries are an unfortunate reality of the NHL season, but they often reshape international rosters in subtle ways. Carlsson’s absence would remove a star but potentially opens the door for a second Islander to take part in the Winter Olympic tournament in Milan.