Updated B/R Roster Predictions for Team USA's 2026 Men's Olympic Hockey Team
We're about two months away from the Winter Olympics in Italy, and as time ticks down until then, we're even closer to finding out who will get the call for every country's roster. Even though picking a team of the best players sounds easy, it's absolutely not, and it's made even more difficult when injuries come into play.
For Team USA, boy oh boy, are injuries ever a concern. Trying to project how the American roster will look right now, while a host of superstar players deal with ailments of varying severity and timelines, USA GM Bill Guerin has his hands full.
We know that Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes, and Charlie McAvoy are already on the team. We also know that Eichel and Hughes are the two guys who are currently healthy, too, and that's not taking into account Jack Hughes, Connor Hellebuyck, Zach Werenski, J.T. Miller, and Thatcher Demko, who are all dealing with injuries.
We're going to do our part to project the lines, defense pairs, and goalies for Team USA once again, but we're also going to add a waiting room of sorts for players who could get the call due to those injuries. Keep in mind, any players who are injured are going to move mountains to be ready for the Olympics, so long as they don't pull a muscle doing it.
First-Line Forwards
1 of 11
Brady Tkachuk - Jack Eichel - Matthew Tkachuk
We know Brady and Matthew haven't played this season yet, but both are on the road to recovery, and their returns are sooner rather than later at this point. Both of them want very badly to be ready for the Olympics and to help Team USA win its first Olympic gold since the Miracle on Ice in 1980.
Even though both teams are even more eager to have them back, if the US has to go without them, it'd be a crushing blow.
We've ascended Jack Eichel and the Tkachuks to be our top line because of how well Eichel has played this season, as he picked up where he left off last year with his outstanding play at both ends of the ice. Letting Eichel run free with the Tkachuks worked well at Four Nations and should be their go-to trio again in Milan.
Second-Line Forwards
2 of 11
Jason Robertson - Auston Matthews - Jack Hughes
We're shaking things up a little bit here. Last time around, Jason Robertson didn't crack our roster, mainly because Team USA seemed to tip their hand really clearly with how they picked the Four Nations roster, and who are we to deviate hard from that? Then Robertson decided to come flying out of the gates this season and forced us to go with the hot hand.
Robertson is second to Jack Eichel among American scorers so far this season, and his play has been dominant for the Stars. On top of being a great scorer, he's also a top-tier defender, and that aspect cannot be ignored when picking the team that's most likely going to have to go through Canada to try and win gold.
Getting Robertson out there with his great two-way play with Auston Matthews and Jack Hughes would be electric. That is, of course, if Hughes can return from his dinner mishap injury in time to be ready. Although Matthews is currently out of action, he's due back any day now for the Maple Leafs, and boy, do they ever need him back.
Third-Line Forwards
3 of 11
Kyle Connor - Dylan Larkin - Matt Boldy
There are some trios in mind for us that we kicked around the idea of reworking them, but sometimes it's just too easy and too obvious to leave them alone. This line is one clear-cut case of that.
Connor, Larkin, and Boldy are off to great starts this season, and while this group may not immediately come to mind as a dangerous line, consider how they're playing this season. All three players have 25 points this season, and the only difference between them is how many goals they've scored. Larkin and Boldy each have 13 and Connor has 11.
If there is any issue for Team USA in some respects, it's size. Connor and Jack Hughes needed a few games to adjust to Four Nations because all the speed and skill they have were suddenly matched evenly against everyone, making it much more difficult to find room to create, even on the power play.
Still, the ability to score and create off the rush for all three guys on this line is too hard to resist.
.png?w=256 "Playoff Winners and Losers")
Fourth-Line Forwards
4 of 11
Jake Guentzel - J.T. Miller - Alex Tuch
Trying to conceive of a fourth line that can do things in a traditional fourth line way but also continue to be dangerous offensively is a lot easier to do with an all-star pool of players to pick from. It's a lot more difficult when deciding whether to nix that idea and just go all gas, no brakes.
Knowing how Team USA does things, the latter approach isn't the way things get done. With Jason Robertson added higher up in the lineup, Jake Guentzel moved down to this line, and given his all-around ability, it'll work just fine.
J.T. Miller has not had a great start to the season in New York, but between him and Vincent Trocheck (who probably still makes the team), they're both meant to play in this kind of role on the team as a matchup forward who can defend and win draws.
We're sticking with our pick of Tuch to be part of this line because he's again showing his strength as a two-way player this season. He's got 21 points with eight goals, including a shorthanded tally. He had six of those a year ago, and a guy his size who can score and defend is hard to ignore.
Extra Forwards
5 of 11
Vincent Trocheck, Tage Thompson
We mentioned Trocheck already, and the spot he won on Team USA for Four Nations, albeit surprising to some, was well-earned given his ability to defend well and play that role. Fans like to roll their eyes at any mention of grit, especially when it comes at the expense of offense, but Trocheck isn't an offensive black hole either.
Thompson gets our nod here, and that's not yours truly playing the homer card. Thompson scored the golden goal for Team USA at the World Championships in May and helped the U.S. win gold for the first time in over 90 years. His play and leadership in that tournament served notice how serious he was about making the Olympic team after he was left off the Four Nations roster. He's off to a flying start this season, and his shot on the U.S. power play would be a significant weapon.
First-Defense Pairing
6 of 11
Quinn Hughes - Charlie McAvoy
Injury cost Quinn Hughes the chance to play at Four Nations, and Charlie McAvoy hopes he's not in the same position at the Olympics.
Even though these two were named as part of the first six on the roster, they also make a world of sense to play together on a pairing. It just so happens to be the first pairing that we've put them on.
Hughes' all-around ability to create and use his speed was missed by the Americans at Four Nations, and as long as he stays healthy and plays in Milan, it'll make them a lot more dangerous on the attack.
McAvoy's two-way ability and sneaky, edgy play allow him to lean into what makes him so good (carrying the puck, making great passes) but give him the chance to lay big hits when the opportunity arises and be much more difficult to deal with in the corners. As long as he's back in time for the Olympics, this pairing will be a thrill to watch.
Second-Defense Pairing
7 of 11
Zach Werenski - Adam Fox
Right when we thought it was safe to write a defense pair down in ink, Zach Werenski left Monday night's game for Columbus with an injury. While Blue Jackets fans and Team USA brass hold their breath about that, let's just think about how great Werenski played last season for both his NHL team and Team USA at Four Nations.
Werenski was a dominant playmaker on the blue line, and his ability to rush the puck up the ice and handle his business in the defensive zone made him a Norris Trophy finalist and deservedly so. At Four Nations, with Quinn Hughes out of action, Werenski stepped up in a big way throughout the tournament and set the table for the Olympics.
Teaming Werenski up with Fox is our idea of creating as many matchup issues as possible. For everything that Werenski does well, Fox is equally great at it, especially in the offensive zone. He's an outstanding power play quarterback and playmaker there, and he's capable of creating problems in the offensive zone by jumping into the play to shoot.
Third-Defense Pairing
8 of 11
Jake Sanderson - Brock Faber
Jake Sanderson has done so well so early on in his NHL career that he earned a spot on the United States Four Nations roster when injuries crept up. As a solid two-way defenseman who thrives in the defensive end of the ice, he's a natural pick to be part of the U.S. roster regardless. He's getting the call on the third pair because Jaccob Slavin's status is very much up in the air because of injury.
Slavin's lower-body injury has had him out of action for all but two games this season, and without a timeline for his return, it's hard for us to just slot him in (even though we realize we've done this with a few others).
Bill Guerin might've gotten a little heat picking Brock Faber for Four Nations, but with how well Faber played in that tournament, we're thinking he gets the call again here, and it'll be pretty inarguable. What gives us pause putting Faber and Sanderson together is how young they ar,e and this being the Olympics, it's a really big stage with a spotlight as bright as the sun.
Extra Defensemen
9 of 11
Lane Hutson, John Carlson
The young up-and-comer and the veteran who's done it before, as classic a duo as you'll get. Hutson's unique offensive skill set could make him a weapon on the power play, not unlike how Team Canada used P.K. Subban previously. Something about the Canadiens' defensemen who can score, right?
Carlson is having an outstanding season in Washington, and his reinvigorated play, along with his history with USA Hockey, would, you'd think, give him an inside line on making the team. Carlson has 21 points, which ties him with Werenski, Fox, and Quinn Hughes for most points among American defensemen this season.
Goaltenders
10 of 11
Connor Hellebuyck, Jeremy Swayman, Spencer Knight
The United States' strength in goal is a huge bonus for them because when Connor Hellebuyck gets surgery and is on the shelf for a couple of months, there's not much reason to sweat things out.
We're pretty sure Hellebuyck will be back in time for the Olympics; however, the way things are shaking out in net to start the season gives us a reason to shake things up ourselves beyond Hellebuyck. As it is, Hellebuyck's 8-6-0 record and .913 save percentage mean his spot is safe so long as he's fit.
Jeremy Swayman remains part of the group because he's having a great start to the season in Boston and has the Bruins back in business in the East. A 9-6-0 record with a .909 save percentage is more than solid.
Every other iteration of this, we've had Jake Oettinger as part of the goaltending troika, but with the way Spencer Knight is performing so far this year in Chicago, he's making it impossible to look past him. His .924 save percentage is among the best in the NHL, and his 15.5 goals saved above expected is the most in the NHL and two more than Swayman, who's behind him in second.
That said, if Hellebuyck can't make it to the Olympics, Oettinger would very easily be part of the group again, although Joey Daccord and Thatcher Demko have cases to make, too.
Potential Injury Replacements
11 of 11
Despite being hit with all sorts of injuries, Team USA still has plenty of depth to replace players on the roster.
Forwards
Cole Caufield
With so many younger players shining this year and the steps Caufield has taken to be a leader for the Canadiens, it's hard to leave him off the main roster. That said, his offense and skill would be a huge help if some of the top U.S. players have to miss out. If teams could take 30 players, Caufield would be an automatic addition.
Cutter Gauthier
Much like Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard are making life hard on Team Canada's brain trust, Gauthier has to be grabbing Team USA's leadership's attention with his start. He's third among American players in scoring this season and has been a massive part of the Ducks' resurgence this season.
Matthew Knies
Even though Toronto is having a rough season so far, Knies has been one of their bright spots as a solid power forward, but also with the kind of touch with the puck to help set up his teammates. With five goals and 17 assists this season, if Team USA wants a bigger body on the wings, he's a tough player to ignore.
Clayton Keller
It'd be a huge mistake for us not to discuss Keller's case for Team USA. His consistent play for Utah and his ability to play so smoothly with and away from the puck give him the opportunity to be in the mix should they need more in those areas.
Defensemen
Seth Jones
Jones is having a solid season in Florida, and his all-around ability and right-handed shot would make him a leading candidate for a roster spot. His veteran know-how and strength at both ends of the ice would make him valuable in the event of additional defensive injuries.
Jacob Trouba
After all the drama from his exit from New York had settled down, so did Trouba in Anaheim with his game. He's been a leader for the young Ducks in the room and on the ice, and he's having a solid season. If Team USA thinks they need to add a more physical presence, they wouldn't need to look any further.
Luke Hughes
Imagine if Team USA got to roll out a roster with both Tkachuk brothers and all three Hughes brothers? Luke could be an option on defense if they find themselves down a puck mover, and while Hutson is the natural next man up, Hughes has a little more size working in his favor.
Mattias Samuelsson
A year ago, there was no way Samuelsson would've been on the radar, but what a difference a year makes. He's been strong defensively this season, both positionally and physically, and he's scored 5 goals, playing with renewed confidence that's helping his performance on the ice shine.
.png?w=480 "Playoff Winners and Losers")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers Give OT New $50M Deal")
.jpg?w=600 "Report: Pats Likely to Trade for A.J.")
