Five U.S. forwards making their case for the Olympics after 4 Nations snubs

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We took a look at Team Canada’s Olympic bubble forwards earlier this week, and now let’s do the same with Team USA ahead of next February’s Winter Games.

But first, a reminder that countries have until June 15 to name their first six players.

Last June, the first six players the U.S. named for the 4 Nations Face-Off were Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy and Adam Fox.

My six for June 15, as of today, would be Eichel, Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk as well as brother Brady, Hughes and McAvoy. So just the one change: Brady Tkachuk in for Fox. I’m not worried about going up to four forwards in my first six. Those four forwards are 100 percent locks.

I was torn here between McAvoy and Connor Hellebuyck as the last pick, but I went with the Bruins defender because my feeling is Team USA management will again avoid the goalie position in its first six picks — considering you’re locking in six guys eight months before puck drop in Italy and the goalie position is so volatile around the NHL.

The counterargument is that even if, say, Jake Oettinger ends up passing Hellebuyck as the No. 1 by the February Olympics, Hellebuyck is obviously still on the roster. I mean, the dude is about to win his third Vezina Trophy. He’s a safe pick, but all things considered and knowing Team USA wanted to avoid a goalie pick in its first six last year, I think management will do the same again.

The rest of the Olympic roster must be named by Dec. 31. Unlike the 4 Nations, which had a 23-man roster (13 forwards, seven defensemen and three goalies), the Olympic roster will be 25 players (14, eight and three).

With that in mind, let’s look at bubble forwards for Team USA.

There’s an extra forward spot available because of the expanded roster, and I think it’s mostly a given as of today that Chris Kreider will get knocked off the roster for Italy. So that means at least two forward spots up for grabs.

Obviously, that’s subject to change with injury and performance. There’s lots of opportunities for this to play out, between the Stanley Cup playoffs and IIHF World Championships.

Kyle Connor struggled at the 4 Nations, but I find it hard to believe he won’t be on the Olympic roster. He’s just too good. His 92 points are second only to Eichel this season among U.S. skaters. And I still think it was a mistake to scratch him for the championship game against Team Canada in Boston. He’s got his first taste of best-on-best hockey under his belt; he’ll be better next time around.

Brock Nelson and Vincent Trocheck are not locks by any means, but I know Team USA management really values what those two guys bring, and if they were picking the Olympic team today, I think both would be on the team again.

So, again, I think there are two forward spots available for now. There may potentially be more, obviously.

Here are five forwards who didn’t make 4 Nations that have helped their stock with their play this season:

1. Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres

Thompson’s already got 40-plus goals in 2024-25 — for the second time in three seasons. I would have had him on the 4 Nations roster, too. The biggest thing working against him is that he’s never played in the Stanley Cup playoffs. That’s probably unfair, but I get that Team USA values big-game experience. Still, I just don’t think you can ignore this goal machine — and his size and talent. If he’s off to another 40-goal pace next season, he’s got to be on the Olympic roster.

2. Clayton Keller, Utah Hockey Club

Keller is the highest-scoring U.S. forward this season who wasn’t on the 4 Nations roster. He’s shifty and creative and a wonderful playmaker. I would have him on one of the two Team USA power-play units. His Stanley Cup playoff resume consists of nine games with Arizona in 2019-20, so like Thompson, there’s a big-game resume lacking. But also like Thompson, that’s through no fault of his own.

Has Clayton Keller done enough to make his case for the Olympics? (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)

3. Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars

A slow start to the season kept Robertson from making the 4 Nations roster, but he’s been terrific in the second half of the season and now he could potentially benefit from another deep playoff run with the Stars. He’s already played 45 career playoff games, putting up 14 goals and 38 points. Spring hockey could be a time for Robertson to further his case to Team USA.

4. Cole Caufield, Montreal Canadiens

Second only to Thompson for goals scored by U.S. forwards who didn’t make the 4 Nations roster, the 24-year-old winger has gained valuable experience during Montreal’s torrid stretch run, playing important minutes in critical, pressure-packed games. He has a potential opportunity to play in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since his first entry into the league back in 2020-21. My concern in Caufield’s chances of cracking the Olympic roster is figuring out which player he either knocks out or pushes down the lineup as far as the kind of role he would play, and I think it’s something Team USA management struggles with as well. That’s really his biggest challenge in going to Italy next year. But he’s definitely improving his chances with his play this season.

5. Matthew Knies, Toronto Maple Leafs

This is probably a long shot, especially given that he’s only completing his second full NHL season, but what I would say is this: If the Maple Leafs were to go on a deep playoff run (I know, I know), there’s no question in my mind that the 22-year-old Knies will have distinguished himself in said run. He’s getting his third taste of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and his game and 6-foot-3, 227-pound frame are meant to translate to this time of year. So, this is all tied to the Leafs finally getting over the hump, but if they do, it could really bump Knies up the Olympic radar.

(Top photos of Matthew Knies and Tage Thompson: Brian Fluharty and Steph Chambers / Getty Images)

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