Predicting the Team USA Roster for 2026 Milan Olympics

This post is part of an ongoing series of Predicting Olympic Rosters as Chris, Chip and Roberto make note of how each country could line up for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. To view more projected rosters in this series go here.

For the first time since Sochi in 2014, the NHL will be participating in the Winter Olympics. Well, at least they’re supposed to. If you haven’t been keeping up with Olympic news, there’s some concern the arena in Milan that’s still under construction won’t be ready in time, and it’s already been confirmed that the size of the rink will be smaller than the standards agreed upon by the NHL, NHLPA, IIHF, and Olympic committees. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly has even said there isn’t a zero percent chance that the players won't be going.

But assuming the players go as planned, and as we inch closer to kicking off the 2026 Milan Olympic Games, Chris Feldman, Roberto Solis-Byxbee, and Chip are here with projections on how some of the rosters will shape out for some of the top countries in the tournament.

To close out our series, we're diving into Team USA. Team Canada might always be the favorite when it comes to international play, but the expectations for the Americans has never been higher. After falling short in overtime to Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Team USA will look to get its revenge by capturing its first Olympic gold medal since 1980 and its first international championship since 1996. As general manager Bill Guerin makes the final decisions ahead of the 2026 Milan Games, the three of us here at Blueshirt Banter piece together our best Team USA lineup.

Chris's Projected Roster 

B. Tkachuk - Matthews - M. Tkachuk 
J. Hughes - Eichel - Guentzel 
Robertson - Cooley - Keller
Knies - Larkin - Thompson
Connor - Miller - Boldy 

Q. Hughes - McAvoy 
Werenski - Faber
Sanderson - Fox 
Slavin - Hanifin 

Hellebuyck - Oettinger - Daccord 

I wouldn’t say there’s a ton of hot takes for my projected lineup. Of the 4 Nations roster, I only left off Vincent Trocheck, Chris Kreider, Brock Nelson, and Jeremy Swayman. 

One of the most notable additions on my roster is Jason Robertson. Frankly, I don’t know how you leave this guy off the Olympic roster. He’s an absolute gamer, and a pure goalscorer who can be a real secret weapon in a third line role on this Olympic roster. He’s fourth in the league in goals and seventh in points, and I’d be shocked if he’s left out the second time around.  

Matthew Knies is another new name that has to be in the conversation. He’s a first liner on a struggling Toronto Maple Leafs team, but his style of play matches this Team USA identity perfectly. There's similar logic with Tage Thompson, as those two would make for a remarkable fourth line on a star-studded Team USA. Under normal circumstances, Logan Cooley belongs on this roster, but injuries could hurt his chances. 

Of the players from the 4 Nations roster I left off, I don’t really see a scenario in which Vincent Trocheck makes the team. Maybe he makes it as a face-off and penalty killing specialist. But between the time he missed with injury, the Rangers underperforming, and the other players available, I can’t wrap my head around him making this team. Same thing goes for Brock Nelson. While he’d be a valuable fourth line center option, there’s just too much talent to justify him keeping a roster spot. 

Chris Kreider is a more interesting case, as he has the skillset to remain on this team and is having an impressive year. At the same time, his best attributes typically come as a result of special teams, and given how stacked this team will be he likely wouldn’t even be in the running to get power play or penalty kill time. Still, he made an impression in limited opportunities during 4 Nations so perhaps he makes it. Lastly, I’ve never been a big believer in Jeremy Swayman. I’d go with Joey Daccord as my third goaltender. But honestly, Jonathan Quick should make it just for vibes and legacy.  

Chip's Projected Roster

B. Tkachuk - Matthews - M. Tkachuk 
J. Hughes - Eichel - Guentzel 
Knies - Cooley - Boldy
Keller - Larkin - Thompson
Kane - Miller - Tuch

Q. Hughes - McAvoy 
Werenski - Faber
Sanderson - Fox 
Slavin - Hanifin 

Hellebuyck - Oettinger - Quick

Not many changes here from Chris's roster. I did add a couple of legacy players in Jonathan Quick and Patrick Kane. Both are playing well enough to deserve spots on the roster and, given that this is probably the last chance either of them will have to play on an Olympic roster, I think they get taken. Leaving Kreider off was a difficult choice, but a necessary one. I wouldn’t be shocked if he makes it over Patrick Kane, but I also won’t be shocked if he doesn’t. The other player I considered including was K’Andre Miller, but given that part of the reason the Rangers traded Miller is because Sullivan didn’t want him on the team, I don’t think he edges out any of the defensemen listed above. 

Roberto's Projected Roster

B. Tkachuk - Matthews - M. Tkachuk 
J. Hughes - Eichel - Guentzel 
Knies - Miller - Boldy
Keller - Larkin - Thompson
Connor - Cooley - Kane

Q. Hughes - McAvoy 
Werenski - Fox
Sanderson - Faber 
Slavin - Hutson

Hellebuyck - Oettinger - Swayman

To be honest with you, Chip and Chris’ projected rosters could very well be the final lineups we see for Team USA on the ice in Milan. However, a complicating factor they're facing now is injury. Several players, including one already named to the Olympic squad, are now sidelined with serious injuries. Charlie McAvoy, who has reportedly lost 20 pounds since fracturing his jaw and returned in December wearing a facemask, might prefer to use the time to rest and heal. Jack Hughes—whose skills with a knife are apparently far inferior to his skills with a puck—may also want that extra time to heal. Logan Cooley was having an excellent year before an injury that could sideline him until February. And, of course, Adam Fox won’t return until at least the end of December. It’s possible that these players could be cut from the team or decline the invitation because of their injuries leading up to the Olympics.

That said, I think the players mentioned above make the team. Yes, even Adam Fox. If you’re reading this and are an Adam Fox hater, I implore you to take a walk, enjoy the fresh air, and take a deep breath, because Adam Fox is a gamer. And even if he is left off this team, he will still be a top-five best defenseman in the league.

Where I diverge from my peers is that I included Lane Hutson. The kid is just too good, and even without the standard wider Olympic rink, Hutson is an elite-level puck mover and should be brought to Milan. Also, not that I think he will get much playing time, but I believe Jeremy Swayman will be Team USA's third goalie. There is so much talent here that it’s hard to put the pieces together in a way that feels totally right and fair, so you can expect to see many players on this roster to slot in and out or move up and down.