Team USA GM Denies One Play Cost Adam Fox Olympic Roster Spot

Bill Guerin fired back at critics who suggested Adam Fox's defensive play on Connor McDavid's overtime winner at the 4 Nations tournament was a major factor in leaving the Rangers defenseman off Team USA's Olympic roster.

Nov 16, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) looks to pass the puck against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | John Jones-Imagn Images

Bill Guerin isn't interested in entertaining narratives about why Adam Fox didn't make Team USA's Olympic roster. The general manager fired back at suggestions that one defensive play against Connor McDavid at the 4 Nations tournament cost Fox his spot on the team.

The perception has been circulating that Fox's positioning on McDavid's overtime winner played a significant role in Team USA's decision to leave the Rangers defenseman off the roster for the 2026 Olympics. Guerin made it clear he finds that theory ridiculous.

Team USA's roster decisions have sparked plenty of debate, particularly around which defensemen made the cut and which didn't. Fox has been one of the NHL's elite offensive defensemen for years, winning the Norris Trophy in 2021 and consistently producing at a high level for the Rangers.

Strong Pushback

Guerin didn't hold back when asked about the perception surrounding Fox's omission. He dismissed the entire premise that one play would determine a roster decision of this magnitude.

"I think it's exactly that. It's perception," Guerin said. "And you know that? That's for you guys to wrestle with and talk about. That's not for us." The Team USA GM then delivered a pointed message to anyone suggesting the decision came down to a single moment.

Team USA GM Bill Guerin on the perception that the way #NYR Adam Fox played the Connor McDavid OT winner at 4 Nations played a major factor in him not being named to team:

"Well, I think it's exactly that: It's perception. And you know that? That's for you guys to wrestle with…

— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) January 2, 2026

"If you think we made a decision on one play, then you must not be very smart," he said. That blunt response shows Guerin's frustration with the narrative that has developed around Fox's exclusion.

Building an Olympic roster involves evaluating countless factors, including current form, playoff performance, international experience, and how players fit into specific systems. Reducing that complex process to one defensive breakdown oversimplifies the work that goes into selecting 23 players from a deep pool of American talent.

Keeping It Private

Guerin made it clear he won't be sharing the internal conversations that led to Fox being left off the roster. The decision-making process remains private, and Team USA has no intention of publicly justifying every selection. "Other than that, I'm going to keep those conversations private," Guerin explained.

He continued, "Our decision was made, and we're moving forward." That approach makes sense for maintaining team unity and avoiding public explanations that could create distractions or controversy. Once the roster is set, rehashing why certain players didn't make it serves no purpose for the team trying to win gold.

Fox's omission remains one of the more debated aspects of Team USA's roster construction. The Rangers defenseman has been productive all season and brings elite offensive ability from the blue line. But Guerin clearly believes the players selected give Team USA the best chance to win in Italy.

The controversy will continue until Team USA takes the ice in February, but Guerin has made his position clear. This wasn't about one play. It was about building the best possible roster for Olympic competition.