As Olympic selections near, one factor matters more than star power

As rosters for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina near their Dec. 31 deadline, former NHL coach Dan Bylsma offered a reminder that selection is about trust, chemistry, and roles as much as star power. For Panthers fans, the conversation naturally centers on familiar names who fit that mold.

Matthew Tkachuk is a given, health permitting. His edge, scoring touch, and history of thriving in high-pressure games check every Olympic box. The added wrinkle is his brother, Brady Tkachuk, who brings a similar identity. Their brief time together with Jack Eichel at the 4 Nations Face-Off gave U.S. coaches a real-life audition, not a projection. That matters.

Bylsma emphasized how heavily coaches lean on continuity from short international tournaments. With Mike Sullivan returning behind the U.S. bench, those memories carry weight. The Tkachuk brothers already know what those moments feel like, and that familiarity gives them a clear advantage over equally talented but untested options.

On the blue line, Seth Jones remains one of the more fascinating cases. The United States has no shortage of elite defensemen, particularly on the left side, but Jones' right-handed shot, size, and ability to play heavy minutes in shutdown situations stand out. Bylsma pointed out that power-play quarterbacks are easy to find, but penalty killers and matchup defenders are not. That reality quietly works in Jones' favor.

Then there's Vincent Trocheck, a name that keeps surfacing for the final forward spot. Trocheck doesn't win highlight reels, but coaches love what he brings. Faceoffs, penalty killing, checking, and adaptability matter more than raw scoring when rosters are this deep. In a lineup featuring Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel, someone has to embrace the unglamorous work.

Bylsma made it clear that these decisions often come down to comfort. Coaches ask themselves who they trust when protecting a lead, killing a penalty, or surviving a one-game moment. That's where Trocheck's profile shines.

In the end, Olympic teams aren't built on paper rankings. They are shaped by performance, consistency, and the ability to deliver when the stakes are highest.