Predicting Team USA’s Roster for 2026 Olympics

Team USA had a strong showing back in February at the 4 Nations Face-Off. They earned the top seed in the round robin with a 6-1 win against Finland and a 3-1 win against Canada before falling 2-1 to Sweden after already locking up the No. 1 slot.

However, we all know what happened in the championship game as Team Canada erased a 2-1 deficit in the second period before Connor McDavid scored the golden goal in overtime.

Team USA will have a chip on its shoulder heading into the 2026 Olympics. Injuries played a part in the 4 Nations Face-Off loss, but that’s no excuse. They’re going to want the best of the best on the roster after falling short at 4 Nations.

Each country has already named its first six players, with the Tkachuk brothers headlining the group for Team USA.

Let’s take a crack at predicting the full Team USA roster for the 2026 Olympics.

Goaltenders

Team USA has taken over the goaltending game in recent years with a few different options to tend the twine in February.

The top option, obviously, is the back-to-back Vezina Trophy winner and reigning Hart Trophy winner in Connor Hellebuyck. It was a bit surprising to see him not named as one of the first six players, but he’ll shoulder the load if he’s healthy.

Then there is Jake Oettinger, who was the backup at 4 Nations. Jeremy Swayman rounded out the group, and that’s probably going to be the trio in Italy.

If there are any injuries or dark horses, Calder Trophy finalist Dustin Wolf could get a look. He posted a .910 save percentage and 2.64 goals-against average with three shutouts last season.

Team USA Goaltenders Predictions (3): Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, Jeremy Swayman

Defensemen

The blue line is where Team USA was bit hardest by the injury bug back in February at the 4 Nations Face-Off. They were without Quinn Hughes, who is one of the best defensemen in the game, and Charlie McAvoy suffered an injury on top of that.

Hughes and McAvoy have already been named to the team, so that leaves six spots up for grabs.

Brock Faber, Adam Fox, Noah Hanifin, Jake Sanderson, Jaccob Slavin, and Zach Werenski were the other six defensemen on the 4 Nations roster. So is it as simple as those six also making the Olympic roster?

It’s quite possible. Faber and Slavin both averaged over 23 minutes per game at the 4 Nations. Werenski also had over 20 minutes per game and made a late push for the Norris Trophy after that.

Fox’s spot could be in jeopardy, but there aren’t a ton of right-handed defensemen with offensive flair for Team USA. Seth Jones could make a case, especially after winning the Stanley Cup with the Panthers, but he doesn’t have the offensive upside of Fox. Perhaps that could go in his favor, though, as a safer partner to pair with a more offensive left-handed defenseman.

John Carlson is another veteran name to watch as he put up 51 points last season and is a right-handed option. The same goes for Brett Pesce, who could be brought as an extra to slot in on the right side in case of injury or for matchups.

There are a few young guns in Lane Hutson and Luke Hughes as potential injury replacements, but Team USA seems to have enough left-handed shooting blueliners.

Team USA Defensemen Predictions (8): Brock Faber, Adam Fox, Noah Hanifin, Quinn Hughes*, Charlie McAvoy*, Jake Sanderson, Jaccob Slavin, and Zach Werenski

Forwards

Team USA is going to need to add some scoring depth if it wants to win gold at the 2026 Olympics. Brady Tkachuk and Jake Guentzel tied for the team lead with three goals, and Matthew Tkachuk was the only other player with more than one tally.

The Tkachuk brothers are already named to the roster along with superstars Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews. I’m going to pencil in Guentzel as well for five of 14 spots taken.

Who will fill out the rest of it?

Let’s use the 4 Nations Face-Off roster as a starting point.

Matt Boldy, Kyle Connor, Jack Hughes, Chris Kreider, Dylan Larkin, J.T. Miller, Brock Nelson, and Vincent Trocheck were the eight other forwards on the roster. Even if they all make it — which they probably won’t — there’s still at least one extra spot.

Clayton Keller is knocking on the door. He had the third-most points among American forwards last season with 90 (30 goals, 60 assists) in 81 games.

Jason Robertson is another name that should be in the mix with his 80 points (35 goals, 45 assists) last season.

Tage Thompson should very well be in the conversation as well. The big center put up 44 goals and 28 assists on a bad Sabres team last season.

Then there are smaller wingers like Alex DeBrincat and Cole Caufield, who Team USA could use for some scoring punch.

But who could come off the roster?

Miller, Nelson, and Trocheck could all easily not make the cut for Team USA at the Olympics. Eichel, Matthews, and Hughes are great options down the middle, along with Thompson if he steps in.

Kreider is also past his prime and should lose his spot for one of the wingers named above.

Team USA Forwards Predictions (14): Matt Boldy, Cole Caufield, Kyle Connor, Alex DeBrincat, Jack Eichel*, Jack Hughes, Clayton Keller, Dylan Larkin, Auston Matthews*, J.T. Miller, Jason Robertson, Tage Thompson, Brady Tkachuk*, Matthew Tkachuk