During the summer, Finland's NHL players considered the potential of bringing in Florida Panthers' championship coach Paul Maurice as the head coach for the upcoming Olympics. This discussion arose following disappointing performances under current head coach Antti Pennanen, particularly after the 4 Nations tournament and the World Championships where the team underperformed. Notably, NHL players' confidence in Pennanen has been declining since these events, yielding a desire for a coaching change.

Meanwhile, the Finnish Ice Hockey Federation, aware of these discussions, stated that there are no immediate plans to change coaches and confirmed that Pennanen would remain in his position until at least the spring of 2027. As Finland competes in the Olympic tournament in Milan, concerns about the team's performance continue to circulate, especially given their recent results under Pennanen's guidance, which included a last-place finish in the 4 Nations tournament and an early exit in the quarter-finals of the World Championships.

The lack of success has led to significant tension around the team's direction as the Olympics approach. With the players' trust in the coaching staff at a low, the decision to keep Pennanen has sparked further debate among fans and analysts about the best strategy for Finland's success in the Olympics. As the team navigates these challenges, the call for experienced leadership like Maurice's underscores the pressure for a turnaround in performance on the Olympic stage.