Emil Heineman and Simon Holmstrom won't be heading to the Olympics, as both NY Islanders left out of Sweden squad

Both Swedish forwards were ready to represent their country on the biggest stage. But, after Sweden named their Olympic squad earlier this morning, neither Simon Holmstrom nor Emil Heineman was named to the roster.

In Heineman’s case, it appeared as if the 24-year-old winger had done enough to earn the call, having the best NHL season of his career, scoring 12 goals and adding six assists at the mid-way mark of the season.

Holmstrom and Heineman both miss out on the Olympics

Aside from his lethal shot, Heineman possesses the speed to keep up with any player in the league, and leads the NY Islanders in hits by a wide margin with 140.

The Leksand, Sweden native is capable of playing on the wing on any of the four lines, but it appears as if Swedish GM Anders Lundberg didn’t think that was enough to name Heineman among the 14 forwards.

Holmstrom, coming off the best season of his NHL career, has seen his production fall off slightly, recording only eight goals and ten assists so far this season.

Aside from his offense, Holmstrom is dynamic on the defensive end and thrives short-handed, as one of the biggest scoring threats in the league while down a man.

One name that sticks out among the 14 forwards named is Pontus Holmberg of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Holmberg has just six goals and six assists this season, but is known more for his defensive acumen - a role Heineman and Holmstrom could both play.

There’s still the chance one, or both, gets the call before the Olympic Games start on Feb. 13, if one of the currently named players suffers an injury in the next month.

It’s certainly a disappointment that neither will be wearing Tre Kronor, but hopefully, both carry a chip on their shoulder through the remainder of the season.