We’re just two months away from the most hotly anticipated hockey tournament since 2014, the last time NHL players competed at the Olympics.
Team USA assembled a formidable roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off but fell just short of its ultimate goal. Some people will blame a lack of good fortune for the championship final overtime loss to Team Canada, while others will point to roster deficiencies and demand change.
With more projected rosters being consumed than chicken wings on NFL Sunday, we’ve decided to focus on five NHL players who could be omitted from the U.S. Olympic roster after making the 4 Nations team.
Which U.S. 4 Nations players might not make the Olympic team?
5. Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson
Brock Nelson was included on the 4 Nations roster for his wealth of experience, leadership qualities and defensive wherewithal. He also played left wing.
However, Team USA has too much offensive talent to include Nelson this time around.
The Avalanche’s second-line center will be an asset for his NHL team in the playoffs. Still, the 34-year-old will likely have to make way for a more productive forward, such as Jason Robertson or Utah captain Clayton Keller.
4. New York Rangers left wing J.T. Miller
J.T. Miller is more dispensable for Team USA than he was at this time last season. With 18 points in 29 games, the 32-year-old left winger’s point production is down significantly.
Miller notched close to a point per game last season and averaged more than that in the previous three years. His point production has regressed as much as his speed, which won’t fly for a team that can assemble arguably the fastest on offer.
3. Anaheim Ducks left wing Chris Kreider
The first three players on this list are all similar archetypes: experienced power forwards who can muck it up in the corners while creating a net-front presence.
Kreider, 34, has continued to play at a high level since joining the Ducks, with 21 points in 25 games. Unfortunately for him, Team USA has younger and more productive players from which to choose.
The most apt like-for-like replacement would be Robertson or Matthew Knies.
2. New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck
Vincent Trocheck’s chances of making the cut are even less likely, considering he had no points in the 4 Nations Face-Off and the centers he’s up against.
The 32-year-old faces the daunting prospect of competing against Dylan Larkin, the currently injured Jack Hughes and 4 Nations snub Tage Thompson for the bottom two center spots. Hughes is expected back in the next month, leaving more than enough time to be ready for Italy. Thompson brings size and lots of goals.
1. Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin
Last season’s Calder Trophy winner, Lane Hutson, is waiting in the wings, and so is Stanley Cup champion Seth Jones. With 24-year-old Jackson LaCombe impressing in Anaheim, Hanifin is seemingly the odd one out.
Hanifin’s play hasn’t helped his cause, with six points in 19 games and a minus-6 rating.