Olympics: 2026 U.S. Olympic Team

[AmericanDream]

What are you trying to confirm?


Anyone that doesn't think Faber is a lock and a 90% top 4 lock doesn't know hockey.

I haven't seen any articles confirming the ice size for the Olympics meaning what size rink are they putting in. I knew it wouldn't be full Euro sized but still haven't seen anything on it besides a tweet like this.

 

[Bonin21]

I haven't seen any articles confirming the ice size for the Olympics meaning what size rink are they putting in. I knew it wouldn't be full Euro sized but still haven't seen anything on it besides a tweet like this.

Think you're overthinking it. It'll be NHL players on NHL sheets.

 

[JKG33]

Yeah, I don't really know what people expect there. Helle was shaky at times last night but none of the goals were his fault.

The only reason Helle is getting any noise is because if it wasn't for Binnington making some unreal saves, Canada loses last night before the McDavid goal has a chance to happen. Well, and his perceived playoff choker label, even if that has nothing to do with last night.

Hellebuyck sits too deep in the net, it's why he gets beat up high on goals that look better than they are. He also gives up a lot of rebounds, which inflate his spreadsheet stats.

His playoff choker label has everything to do with a final game like this, and he didn't do anything to negate that label.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I thought Faber was excellent in the tournament, he is also likely the player that improves the most on the roster between here and the Olympics.

 

[Bonin21]

Hellebuyck sits too deep in the net, it's why he gets beat up high on goals that look better than they are. He also gives up a lot of rebounds, which inflate his spreadsheet stats.

His playoff choker label has everything to do with a final game like this, and he didn't do anything to negate that label.

I sure as heck would not want the guy with the best GAA and SV% and most shutouts backstopping my team...

 

[JKG33]

I sure as heck would not want the guy with the best GAA and SV% and most shutouts backstopping my team...

Now do his playoff numbers

 

[qc14]

Fox is absolutely being left at home next year

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

What has Faber proven that he gets a guaranteed top 4 spot after being okay, at best? Dude is a second year player with no significant accomplishments.

Some are calling for us to leave off a 27 year old Norris winner because he had a similarly indifferent tournament like Faber paired with the least accomplished defenseman on the team.

I personally think people are making too much of four games. The roster should be decided by who are the best players in the NHL. That'll be proven out over the next year.

I was as surprised as anyone that his role and ice time shrank so quickly in the tournament (I had always penciled him in the top 4 beforehand), but the TOI doesn't lie as far as who the coaches wanted on the ice. I'm not expecting that to change in any measurable way within a year, but I also wasn't expecting what happened this year, so maybe it'll change again.

I guess I could say that Faber has "proven" that he can play high minutes against Canada's best, which he did twice, and more than hold his own. And that is as the youngest player on the team.

 

[MNRube]

Tkachuk-Eichel-Tkachuk
Hughes-Matthews-Guentzel
Boldy-Larkin-Thompson
Miller-Cooley-Tuch

Hughes-McAvoy
Slavin-Faber
Werenski-Sanderson

I imagine the Top 9 will be moved around, but that’s the lineup I’d take as of today. Someone will emerge. I’m betting on Cooley who is fast, skilled and has some sneaky F-U to his game

 

[Bonin21]

Fox is absolutely being left at home next year

Between a year older Lane Hutson and a healthy Quinn Hughes... ya he's got a battle to make the roster.

 

[AmericanDream]

Think you're overthinking it. It'll be NHL players on NHL sheets.

I dunno, usually that info is easily available but found it odd didn't see anything on it is all.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

You’re blaming the wrong guy here.

Fox didn’t lose anyone. He was the unlucky guy defending the defensive breakdown (and I would say if you watch it back there are a lot of players doing the wrong thing).

Nelson was lax getting back (maybe he was tired or something) and was not getting to Marner. Bennett is the trailer there and Nelson has a decent shot to catch him but his indecision on where to go hurt him. Fox can’t abandon the puck carrier and let Marner walk down the middle of the ice to have a 1 on 1 with his goaltender.

And the Bennett shot wasn’t even going to come from a good angle. You’d much rather give up that than Mitch Marner in the absolute middle of the ice uncontested.

Realistically also, that’s a shot the goaltender should stop, so it’s beating to death a guy for being maybe 15% at fault on a goal for not stealing the puck clean when there are others who deserve much larger shares of blame.


Are we seriously talking about skating? Did Jack Hughes have an indifferent tournament? Amazing skater. Did Brady Tkachuk have a great tournament? Mediocre skater.

Almost like there’s no need to overemphasize any one attribute for anything. Quinn Hughes is at the peak of his powers. He’s probably the best defenseman in the NHL the last two years. Maybe he’s better than Fox, career-wise. I think you could argue either way, but what I think is revisionist history is acting like he’s in a different tier. He quite simply is not. Hughes has years and years as a bad defensive player. That cannot just be forgotten from his career resume. Adam Fox had never been anything other than elite at virtually everything (offense, defense, transitions). It shows up in the data year after year.

Is he at the peak of his powers right now? Well no, but he’s certainly still a great player and a player can’t always be at their best. Fox has had a much more even career. He certainly won’t have seasons where his defensive charts are pathetic, like you get with Hughes.

Fox can play against anyone. You’re simply overthinking it. Pick your best players. It’s not hard.

Brady also got turned around like a cone on the first MacK goal. Me highlighting Fox's skating is something that doesn't need to be said. He's a phenomenal player but he has his warts that guy highlighted in big time games. Again, team USA's coaching is more at fault than any of the players imo for yesterday's loss.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

With him being called in to be an injury replacement at the last minute, I would imagine he is penciled in here. Show up at the WC and lock it down.

Loved that challenge out of Larkin. I do think him going to all of those World Championships helped him here though. I hope more guys follow that call to play in the World Championships when you’re not in the playoffs or negotiating a contract.

 

[AmericanDream]

Between a year older Lane Hutson and a healthy Quinn Hughes... ya he's got a battle to make the roster.

I don't think that's his battle. Both are LDs and the team already had more LDs than RDs as is. Can only play so many guys on their off side at this level...

 

[Bonin21]

I don't think that's his battle. Both are LDs and the team already had more LDs than RDs as is. Can only play so many guys on their off side at this level...

I meant you manage the number of offensive guys, and if that means a guy like Pionk is your 7th D to have another right hander so be it.

 

[qc14]

I don't think that's his battle. Both are LDs and the team already had more LDs than RDs as is. Can only play so many guys on their off side at this level...

John Carlson should be on the team. He can play both special teams and they need more proven winners.

 

[AmericanDream]

John Carlson should be on the team. He can play both special teams and they need more proven winners.

I think he is the most likely add for RD today. But I am very biased towards him and what he has done his junior days (WJC) and past decade plus in the NHL.

He would be the oldest member of the team if picked...or Kaner if he got selected.

 

[qc14]

M Tkachuk - Eichel - J Robertson
Guentzel - Matthews - B Tkachuk
Tage - Larkin - Boldy
Miller - Trochek - Tuch
J Hughes - Beniers

Q Hughes - McAvoy
Slavin - Faber
Werenski - Carlson
Sanderson - Pesce

Hellebuyck
Oettinger
Swayman

 

[AmericanDream]

Loved that challenge out of Larkin. I do think him going to all of those World Championships helped him here though. I hope more guys follow that call to play in the World Championships when you’re not in the playoffs or negotiating a contract.

You ain't kidding. Refreshing to hear a player call out other players for this. How many times can the same dozen guys go before others get the picture? I hope this tournament and his words helped wake some folks up. Looking directly at you Keller.

 

[RangerBoy]

Between a year older Lane Hutson and a healthy Quinn Hughes... ya he's got a battle to make the roster.

I like Luke Hughes. He can enter the conversation.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I like Luke Hughes. He can enter the conversation.

He can play both sides as well which I think is important to the bottom three selections.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

You’re blaming the wrong guy here.

Fox didn’t lose anyone. He was the unlucky guy defending the defensive breakdown (and I would say if you watch it back there are a lot of players doing the wrong thing).

Nelson was lax getting back (maybe he was tired or something) and was not getting to Marner. Bennett is the trailer there and Nelson has a decent shot to catch him but his indecision on where to go hurt him. Fox can’t abandon the puck carrier and let Marner walk down the middle of the ice to have a 1 on 1 with his goaltender.

And the Bennett shot wasn’t even going to come from a good angle. You’d much rather give up that than Mitch Marner in the absolute middle of the ice uncontested.

Realistically also, that’s a shot the goaltender should stop, so it’s beating to death a guy for being maybe 15% at fault on a goal for not stealing the puck clean when there are others who deserve much larger shares of blame.


Are we seriously talking about skating? Did Jack Hughes have an indifferent tournament? Amazing skater. Did Brady Tkachuk have a great tournament? Mediocre skater.

Almost like there’s no need to overemphasize any one attribute for anything. Quinn Hughes is at the peak of his powers. He’s probably the best defenseman in the NHL the last two years. Maybe he’s better than Fox, career-wise. I think you could argue either way, but what I think is revisionist history is acting like he’s in a different tier. He quite simply is not. Hughes has years and years as a bad defensive player. That cannot just be forgotten from his career resume. Adam Fox had never been anything other than elite at virtually everything (offense, defense, transitions). It shows up in the data year after year.

Is he at the peak of his powers right now? Well no, but he’s certainly still a great player and a player can’t always be at their best. Fox has had a much more even career. He certainly won’t have seasons where his defensive charts are pathetic, like you get with Hughes.

Fox can play against anyone. You’re simply overthinking it. Pick your best players. It’s not hard.

Fox lunged at Marner with a forward behind him and the other dman with the other forward. Marner makes a good pass, which he did, and it's a 2 on 1. I do agree that the goal on Helly was weak but I wouldn't totally blame him for it. If Fox stays on Bennett btw, it's a 3v3 with a hard checking Nelson back on Marner or at the worst, Fox could've lunged at Marner when he gets closer to the slot and Bennett's angle is killed on any type of dangerous play.

I like Luke Hughes. He can enter the conversation.

The rink size NHL sized for the Olympics, right? He'd have a better argument if the rink size was bigger due to his elite skating

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Brady also got turned around like a cone on the first MacK goal. Me highlighting Fox's skating is something that doesn't need to be said. He's a phenomenal player but he has his warts that guy highlighted in big time games. Again, team USA's coaching is more at fault than any of the players imo for yesterday's loss.

Okay, and Fox still ended the tournament with a positive defensive rating. People just way overthink this stuff. Anyone claiming Fox can't defend against McDavid or whoever and would need to be sheltered and apparently he lost his PP spot to Werenski (through no fault of his own) and that Quinn Hughes coming next year makes him vulnerable are just creating a storyline in their head that sounds nice to them.

Fox's defensive impact against all this big and fast players he supposedly can't defend (something that has been said for years and has literally never proven true in the data) was positive. The issue, if anything, was his offensive impact. He ended the tournament with a positive xG+/-, but with a negative G+/-, which mostly just means he didn't have positive puck in FOUR games. Pretty sure he was on the ice for two goals against and none for. When you look into his usage, he had a lot of time with the bottom of the US roster. The bottom 6 didn't create much offense, and it's not like Hanifin did either. He should've had a better offensive impact, regardless of bad usage, but like I said some of that is bad puck luck.

There's no need for anyone to psychoanalyze the Olympic rosters based on 4 games. You pick your best players. Plenty of the best Americans (Matthews, Hughes, Hellebuyck, etc) weren't that good, yet obviously I would certainly not suggest they shouldn't make the roster. That'd be crazy. You don't get better by picking worse hockey players because your best players weren't at their best in a four game exhibition tournament.

Fox lunged at Marner with a forward behind him and the other dman with the other forward. Marner makes a good pass, which he did, and it's a 2 on 1. I do agree that the goal on Helly was weak but I wouldn't totally blame him for it. If Fox stays on Bennett btw, it's a 3v3 with a hard checking Nelson back on Marner or at the worst, Fox could've lunged at Marner when he gets closer to the slot and Bennett's angle is killed on any type of dangerous play.

Nelson was at least a step and a half behind Marner, and is not close to as quick of a skater. He was not catching Marner bearing down on the goaltender.

I don't know what coach would ever teach you to leave the puck carrier for a trailer at a bad angle.

 

[AmericanDream]

He can play both sides as well which I think is important to the bottom three selections.

Yes I was trying to remember if he could and he sure did at the WJC so kudos to him because that puts him a leg up over almost every other player in the hunt. I also saw Pesce mentioned who I do like, and is a possibility as well since they brought him in late. Just not as dynamic as a few others would be.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Okay, and Fox still ended the tournament with a positive defensive rating. People just way overthink this stuff. Anyone claiming Fox can't defend against McDavid or whoever and would need to be sheltered and apparently he lost his PP spot to Werenski (through no fault of his own) and that Quinn Hughes coming next year makes him vulnerable are just creating a storyline in their head that sounds nice to them.

Fox's defensive impact against all this big and fast players he supposedly can't defend (something that has been said for years and has literally never proven true in the data) was positive. The issue, if anything, was his offensive impact. He ended the tournament with a positive xG+/-, but with a negative G+/-, which mostly just means he didn't have positive puck in FOUR games. Pretty sure he was on the ice for two goals against and none for. When you look into his usage, he had a lot of time with the bottom of the US roster. The bottom 6 didn't create much offense, and it's not like Hanifin did either. He should've had a better offensive impact, regardless of bad usage, but like I said some of that is bad puck luck.

There's no need for anyone to psychoanalyze the Olympic rosters based on 4 games. You pick your best players. Plenty of the best Americans (Matthews, Hughes, Hellebuyck, etc) weren't that good, yet obviously I would certainly not suggest they shouldn't make the roster. That'd be crazy. You don't get better by picking worse hockey players because your best players weren't at their best in a four game exhibition tournament.

I agree, I think Fox is elite but ignoring the elephant in the room is also going to get you caved in the next tournament. Saying you're ok with him playing elite skating forward like a MacK/McDavid is foolish just like how playing Jack Hughes on the wing is borderline moronic. You pick and choose your battles. Slavin/McAvoy should be the pair against the elite Canada guys should we face them next year. Quinn Hughes and Faber and then probably Werenski and Fox. Sanderson would be a good pair with Fox too imo, smooth skating eraser type of dman who would let Fox rover all over the ice without worry.