In spite of not securing spots on the U.S. Olympic hockey team roster, Jason Robertson, Adam Fox, Sam Bennett, and Mark Scheifele could still potentially join the action in Milan next month as standby players for Team USA and Team Canada. Both USA Hockey and Hockey Canada have designated a pool of substitute players who could be called upon in case of injuries during the Olympics. According to U.S. general manager Bill Guerin, there is a contingency plan in place with several identified players ready to step in if needed.
Canada’s roster for Milan excludes notable players like Sam Bennett, Travis Konecny, and Seth Jarvis, who were part of the winning 4 Nations team. Surprisingly, veterans like Bennett and Scheifele did not make the cut, opening the door for newcomers like Macklin Celebrini, Nick Suzuki, and Tom Wilson. Canada’s general manager, Doug Armstrong, emphasized that the selection process was challenging due to the high caliber of players in contention.
The Canadian team decided to retain its defense core from the 4 Nations tournament, with the emergence of rookie Matthew Schaefer posing a tough decision for the selectors. Schaefer’s impressive performance for the New York Islanders in his debut NHL season earned him a spot on the radar for Olympic consideration.
On the other hand, the United States faces uncertainties in the goaltending department, with Jordan Binnington likely to start, supported by Logan Thompson and Darcy Kuemper. Notably, the strong performances of Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood in the NHL present them as potential replacements if needed.
In terms of player selections, U.S. general manager Bill Guerin emphasized the importance of building a cohesive team rather than solely relying on individual statistics. The absence of players like Adam Fox and Chris Kreider from the previous 4 Nations Face-Off squad creates opportunities for other players to step up, with Spencer Knight, Thatcher Demko, and Joey Daccord identified as potential goaltending options if required.