Leo Carlsson and Isac Lundeström are ready to shine for Sweden at the 2025 Betano Hockey Games and World Championship

With the 2026 Winter Olympics in sight, Leo Carlsson and Isac Lundeström will shine on the international stage for Sweden at the 2025 Betano Hockey Games and the World Championship. These tournaments present a golden opportunity for both players to prove they are ready for even bigger challenges. While Carlsson's summons were already known, Lundeström's addition puts an interesting spin on their situations as they chase dreams beyond club hockey.

Another trip for Leo Carlsson into the Swedish Team continues the trend he practiced during the 4 Nations Face-off earlier this year. He participated in only one game there, but Carlsson's upward transition within the NHL, aggregating an impressive 26 points in 28 games, was fulfilled. The late blooming could indicate a maturing player who is starting to develop the ability over time to translate short international experience into longer-term incremental benefits and improvements on the ice.

On the flip side, Isac Lundeström faces a career-turning summer. With free agency upon him, whatever he does during the Betano Hockey Games and World Championship could determine Lundetröm's fate. He can offer a great deal as a two-way forward, but the emergence of top prospects like Tim Washer and the development of Jan Myšák in the AHL have raised some concern over Lundeström's long-term role with the Ducks. General Manager Pat Verbeek might place Lundeström's job under scrutiny for younger and cheaper options.

A whole different context involves Lundeström having been very much a guiding figure for Carlsson during last season, especially once Jakob Silfverberg went back to Sweden. If Lundeström doesn't return, Carlsson could find himself the lone Swedish player on Anaheim's roster adjustment that could shape personal as well as professional ramifications.
As Carlsson and Lunderstrom prepare to wear their nation's colors, the two are thinking of much more than immediate success. Both players want to prove worthy of a place on Sweden's Olympic team for the upcoming 2026 Winter Games, with Carlsson aiming to maintain his escalating trajectory and Lundeström struggling to gain steady ground in the NHL.
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Everything weighs in favor of Carlsson and Lundaström's upcoming international performances, and it's far more than national pride. For Carlsson, it is about preserving the momentum of his breakout year; for Lundaström, it could be the biggest step toward securing his professional life in any hockey league. As Sweden looks on, we can hardly bet higher stakes for these two coming stars.