Projecting Team USA’s 2026 Olympics Ice Hockey Roster

Karl Rasmussen | 56 Minutes Ago

Team USA will once again be led by Auston Matthews at the 2026 Olympics in Milan, Italy. / David Kirouac-Imagn Images

We’re just about two months away from the onset of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

It’ll be the first time since the 4 Nations Face-Off that the U.S. takes part in an international hockey tournament. After placing second in a heartbreaking loss to Canada last winter, the Americans could, and probably should, make some significant adjustments to the roster ahead of the Olympics.

It’s a major honor to be selected to the international team, and there are a handful of deserving players who didn’t make the cut last February, but have a strong chance at making it this time around.

We’re going to make some projections for the Team USA roster at the Winter Games, but first, let’s remind ourselves of what the team looked like in February of ‘25 at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Team USA 4 Nations Roster

Forwards:

PLAYER	TEAM
Matt Boldy	Minnesota Wild
Kyle Connor	Winnipeg Jets
Jack Eichel	Vegas Golden Knights
Jake Guentzel	Tampa Bay Lightning
Jack Hughes	New Jersey Devils
Chris Kreider	Anaheim Ducks
Dylan Larkin	Detroit Red Wings
Auston Matthews	Toronto Maple Leafs
J.T. Miller	New York Rangers
Brock Nelson	Colorado Avalanche
Brady Tkachuk	Ottawa Senators
Matthew Tkachuk	Florida Panthers
Vincent Trocheck	New York Rangers

Defensemen:

PLAYER	TEAM
Brock Faber	Minnesota Wild
Adam Fox	New York Rangers
Noah Hanifin	Vegas Golden Knights
Charlie McAvoy	Boston Bruins
Jake Sanderson	Ottawa Senators
Jaccob Slavin	Carolina Hurricanes
Zach Werenski	Columbus Blue Jackets

Goalies:

PLAYER	TEAM
Connor Hellebuyck	Winnipeg Jets
Jake Oettinger	Dallas Stars

It was a solid team, blessed with two of the games best goaltenders and a number of top forward and defensive options. But the coaching staff seemed to prioritize experience, bringing along some veterans such as Nelson, Krieder, Trocheck and Miller, over the likes of some younger, breakout talents. This year, they may look for some newer faces, and there are plenty of worthy candidates who have performed at a high enough level to make the Olympic roster.

Among some players worthy of consideration include Canadiens’ sharpshooter Cole Caufield, Stars standout forward Jason Robertson, Sabres star Tage Thompson, and several others.

Each nation must narrow its potential pool of players down to 22 players and three goalies by Dec. 31. So, here’s how we’re projecting the USA to look ahead of the 2026 Games.

Projected 2026 Olympic Roster for Team USA

Forwards:

PLAYER	TEAM	POSITION
Matt Boldy	Minnesota Wild	LW
Cole Caufield	Montreal Canadiens	RW
Kyle Connor	Winnipeg Jets	LW
Alex DeBrincat	Detroit Red Wings	RW
Jack Eichel	Vegas Golden Knights	C
Jake Guentzel	Tampa Bay Lightning	C
Jack Hughes	New Jersey Devils	C
Clayton Keller	Utah Mammoth	C
Dylan Larkin	Detroit Red Wings	C
Auston Matthews	Toronto Maple Leafs	C
Jason Robertson	Dallas Stars	LW
Tage Thompson	Buffalo Sabres	C/RW
Brady Tkachuk	Ottawa Senators	LW
Matthew Tkachuk	Florida Panthers	RW

There are a number of changes to the forwards unit here. Notably, a handful of veterans have been left off this projected roster, including Miller, Trocheck, Kreider and Nelson. In their place, the likes of Robertson, Caufield, DeBrincat and Thompson are due for their first taste of Olympic hockey, and they could be able to provide a needed goalscoring punch.

Of course, attacking is only half the job for a forward, especially on the game’s biggest stages. The ability to play two ways will be crucial for the U.S., an area where both Thompson and Robertson can make significant contributions.

Defensemen:

PLAYER	TEAM
Quinn Hughes	Vancouver Canucks
Lane Hutson	Montreal Canadiens
Seth Jones	Florida Panthers
Jackson LaCombe	Anaheim Ducks
Charlie McAvoy	Boston Bruins
Jake Sanderson	Ottawa Senators
Jaccob Slavin	Carolina Hurricanes
Zach Werenski	Columbus Blue Jackets

The absence of Hughes was a thorn in the side of the United States at the 4 Nations Face-off. Having him in the lineup will be a huge boost this time around. Lane Hutson will be a welcome addition as a playmaking defenseman, too, capable of setting up his teammates and playing an impact role on the power play. Additionally, Ducks standout Jackson LaCombe has earned his place on the roster, replacing Brock Faber who hasn’t had a great start to the year in 2025-26.

Goalies:

PLAYER	TEAM
Connor Hellebuyck	Winnipeg Jets
Jake Oettinger	Dallas Stars
Spencer Knight	Chicago Blackhawks

There needn’t be any significant changes to the goalies room for the Americans. Hellebuyck and Oettinger are two of the best in the world at their positions, and Knight is a deserving third-stringer.

Changes from 4 Nations Face-Off:

IN: Robertson, Thompson, Caufield, Keller, Hutson, Hughes, LaCombe
OUT: Kreider, Miller, Trocheck, Nelson, Hanifin, Fox, Faber

Other deserving players to consider: John Carlson, Logan Cooley, Alex DeBrincat, Thatcher Demko, Adam Fox, Cutter Gauthier, Matthew Knies, J.T. Miller, Brett Pesce, Nick Schmaltz, Alex Tuch, Trevor Zegras

There’s still some time for the U.S. brass to assess its pool of talent, but after falling short with a veteran-laden roster in the 4 Nations Face-Off, it may be time to yet the young stars have their shot.

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