Countries’ hockey federations are expected to name their final players for the 2026 Olympics at the beginning of January.
That gives them about two months to make their final evaluations for the 25-person rosters as the NHL returns to the Olympics for the first time since 2014.
The USA won two silver medals (in 2002 and 2010) during the era of NHL participation from 1998 to 2014. The Americans haven’t won gold since 1980. They finished second at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February and won a gold medal at the 2025 world championships.
USA Hockey invited 44 players to its orientation camp, a mix of 4 Nations, world championships and other players.
Here’s who has been named to Team USA in the first six selections, plus predictions on who else might make the team:
First six selections
F Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights
F Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
F Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators
F Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers
D Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks
D Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins
Analysis: All played in the 4 Nations Face-Off, except for Hughes, who was injured at the time. Matthew Tkachuk and McAvoy couldn’t finish the tournament because of injuries. Both Tkachuk brothers are out now, but Brady (thumb surgery) could return in late November to mid-December. Matthew (hernia surgery) is expected back before the Olympics.
This is a very good start to the roster, considering the USA pushed Canada to overtime in the 4 Nations final. Matthews is a goal scorer, Eichel is among the scoring leaders this season, the Tkachuk brothers provide goals and grit, Hughes has won a Norris Trophy and McAvoy is a two-way defenseman.
Possible Team USA forwards
Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild
Cole Caufield, Montreal Canadiens
Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets
Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning
Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
Clayton Keller, Utah Mammoth
Matthew Knies, Toronto Maple Leafs
Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings
J.T. Miller, New York Rangers
Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres
Analysis: All except Caufield, Keller, Knies and Thompson were at the 4 Nations, which carried 13 forwards. Chris Kreider, Brock Nelson and Vincent Trocheck (who has yet to play this season) would not make the cut this time.
Thompson has size and skill. Keller had 90 points last season and Knies and Caufield are off to strong starts this season. Thompson and Keller were on the world championships team. Connor, Larkin and Hughes are among the better U.S. players this season. Hughes and Caufield have 10 goals apiece. There is a lot of potential for offense here.
One question is whether to include Detroit’s Patrick Kane because of his Olympic experience in 2010 and 2014. He could return from an injury soon. Utah’s Logan Cooley, Buffalo’s Alex Tuch and Chicago’s Frank Nazar took part in orientation.
Possible Team USA defensemen
Brock Faber, Minnesota Wild
Adam Fox, New York Rangers
Noah Hanifin, Vegas Golden Knights
Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators
Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes
Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
Analysis: This would be the same defensive lineup as in the 4 Nations with Quinn Hughes added. USA Hockey will have to monitor player injuries. Hanifin just returned from a long-term injury. Slavin has been limited to two games. Ryan McDonagh, Jackson Lacombe, Luke Hughes (brother of Quinn and Jack) and Stanley Cup champion Seth Jones were invited to camp. Rookie of the year Lane Hutson was not, but he’s off to a strong start.
Possible Team USA goaltenders
Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars
Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins
Hellebuyck, Oettinger and the Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman were the 4 Nations goalies. Hellebuyck, coming off a Hart Trophy/Vezina Trophy season, and Oettinger, who has been to the last three conference finals, are givens. Swayman went 7-0 at the world championships, but his NHL numbers aren’t as good this season as Vancouver’s Thatcher Demko or Kraken goalie Joey Daccord. Demko was hurt last season and wasn’t able to be in the mix for the 4 Nations. But Swayman could end up as the third goalie because of what he did at the worlds.